Day #2 has arrived for the BSM Top 20. Yesterday we revealed the results of the Top 20 National Sports Radio Shows, and today it’s time to recognize the Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Morning Shows of 2021. Many of these shows operate out of the largest cities in the country, and play a key role in the success of the station’s they represent.
As you review all of our Top 20 lists, please remember that the results represent the collective feedback of 46 industry executives, all with different experiences and tastes. 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 The Hartman & Rich O Show on XTRA 1360 in San Diego didn’t qualify since it didn’t go on the air until January 2022. A show like Danny & Gallant, which occupied eight months of the year on 710 ESPN Seattle also wasn’t eligible since it didn’t finish the year on the air. That’s the one rule we’ve kept in tact since starting this series 7 years ago.
#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 32 shows were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Sports Radio Morning Shows category.
#4 – The executive panel picked their Top 20 shows based on a few factors; the ear test, ratings success, originality, ability to entertain, multi-platform impact, and on-air chemistry. Keep in mind that our 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 create to showcase how sports radio’s brain trust view the best in the format.
Which now brings us to the rankings for Major Market Sports Radio Morning Shows. After finishing 2nd the past two years, Toucher & Rich of 98.5 The Sports Hub are back on top. The Boston duo earned their 2nd Top 20 victory, gaining the most first place votes with twelve (12). BSM congratulates Fred, Rich, Jon Wallach, Rick Radzik and the entire Sports Hub crew on earning this year’s top honor, and every other show which gained a spot on this year’s list.
Now, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Morning Shows of 2021!”
Additional Notes:
- Toucher & Rich finished 28 points in front of Boomer & Gio, picking up a category high twelve (12) first place votes. Boomer & Gio were next with ten (10) first place votes.
- 21-25 was occupied by The Mike Salk Show, The Joe Rose Show with Zach Krantz, The Sean Salisbury, Ben & Woods and Moser, Lombardi & Kane.
- The closest contests saw Murph & Mac edge Mully & Haugh by 3 points, The Greg Hill Show finish 2 points in front of Bickley & Marotta, and Ronnie & TKras hold off Mike Salk by 4 points.
- Of the 32 shows eligible for consideration this year, 6 received at least one 1st place vote.
Here is the remaining schedule for the BSM Top 20 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.
