Welcome to the 7th annual edition of the BSM Top 20. To kick off this year’s series, we shine the light on the Top 20 National Sports Radio Shows of 2021. These shows have the largest reach in America, being distributed by the largest networks in the industry, and airing across hundreds of radio stations, as well as on various digital and television outlets.
As you review this year’s selections, please remember that the results represent the collective opinions of 46 industry executives. Yours truly does not vote. I’d like to thank Stephanie Eads, Dylan Barrett and Demetri Ravanos for helping me with the Top 20 process, and Point to Point for being our exclusive sponsor for this year’s Top 20. Tim Bronsil and his staff are a valued resource to many across the media industry, and if you’re not familiar with their work, you need to make time to learn more. That can be done by clicking here.
As it pertains to the voting, here are a few things to understand.
#1 – These results are based on 2021’s performance. 2022 changes have zero to do with this. Therefore, a show like Tiki & Tierney, which moved to WFAN in January 2022 is still eligible. A show like Maggie & Perloff, which joined CBS Sports Radio’s lineup in January is not eligible until next year. Our one rule since starting this series in 2016 is that a show must finish the year on the air and in the timeslot for which it’s being considered.
#2 – Our executive panel consists of program directors and corporate executives from a number of top broadcasting companies including Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Beasley, Hubbard, Good Karma Brands, ESPN Radio, FOX Sports Radio, SiriusXM, Spotify, and independently owned and operated radio stations. We involve a large number of people in order to receive feedback from all parts of the country, as well as to avoid the results heavily favoring one company.
#3 – A total of 84 shows were eligible for voting consideration in the National Sports Radio Shows category.
#4 – The executive panel picked their Top 20 shows based on a few factors; the ear test, originality, ability to entertain, multi-platform impact, on-air chemistry, and ratings success. Keep in mind that voters live in different cities, have different tastes, and value certain factors higher than others. This isn’t a perfect science, but it’s the best system we’ve been able to come up with to showcase how sports radio’s brain trust view the best in the format.
And that now brings us to the rankings for this year’s National Sports Radio Shows. For the 6th time in 7 years, industry voters have selected The Herd with Colin Cowherd as the best National Sports Talk Show of 2021. Colin’s show earned the most 1st place votes (13) of any 2021 nominated show. BSM congratulates Colin, Joy Taylor, Don Martin, Scott Shapiro, Greg Toohey, Ryan Musick, Dave Coelho and the entire FOX Sports Radio crew on earning this year’s top honor, as well as every other show which earned a spot on this year’s list.
Now, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 National Sports Radio Shows of 2021!”
Additional Notes:
- Colin Cowherd finished 27 points in front of The Pat McAfee Show, picking up a category high thirteen (13) first place votes. McAfee had the second most first place votes with eleven (11).
- 21-25 was occupied by Brick At Night, Bart & Hahn, Spain & Fitz, The Zach Gelb Show and After Hours with Amy Lawrence.
- The closest contests saw Morning Men edge The Odd Couple by 2 points, and Jason Smith and Mark Packer separated by 3 points.
- Of the 84 shows eligible for consideration this year, 11 received at least one 1st place vote.
Here is the remaining schedule for the BSM Top 20 of 2021.
- Tuesday February 8 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Morning Shows of 2021
- Wednesday February 9 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Midday Shows of 2021
- Thursday February 10 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows of 2021
- Friday February 11 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Program Directors of 2021
- Monday February 14 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Stations of 2021
- Tuesday February 15 = The Top 20 Original Sports Podcasts/Specialty Selections of 2021
To view prior years of BSM’s Top 20 results, click here.
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
