Welcome to day #3 of the BSM Top 20. We’ve previously revealed the results of the Top 20 National Sports Radio Shows and Major and Mid Market Morning Shows, and now it’s time to shine the light on the industry’s Top 20 Mid Market Sports Radio Midday Shows for 2021.
As you examine our Top 20 lists, please remember that they represent the collective feedback of 46 industry executives, all with different experiences, voting responsibilities, and tastes. Yours truly does not vote, I simply tally up the votes and present the results. 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 Bishop & Laurinaitis on 97.1 The Fan in Columbus did qualify since the show remained in place thru the end of 2021. A show like Bishop & Friends, which moved into the time slot in January wasn’t eligible since it didn’t occupy the position during 2021. 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 56 shows were eligible for voting consideration in the Mid Market Sports Radio Midday 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 Mid Market Sports Radio Midday Shows. For the first time in 3 years we have a change at the top. 4-time winner of this category Dan Dakich has been passed this year by Cleveland’s The Really Big Show. The ESPN Cleveland program, which features Tony Rizzo and Aaron Goldhammer emerged victorious thanks to a category high five (5) first place votes. BSM congratulates Tony, Aaron, Matt Fishman and the entire WKNR sports team on claiming 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 Mid Market Sports Radio Midday Shows of 2021!”
Additional Notes:
- The Really Big Show were 11 points ahead of Bishop & Laurinaitis, thanks in part to a category high five (5) first place votes. 4-time winner Dan Dakich, who claimed this category each of the past three years was forty five (45) points back from the top spot.
- 21-25 belonged to Jason & John from 92.9 ESPN in Memphis, Wilde & Tausch on 94.5 ESPN in Milwaukee, Rothman & Ice from 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, The John Canzano Show on 750 The Game in Portland, and The Instigators from WGR in Buffalo.
- There were a lot of close calls in this category this year. The closest saw Matt Jones finish 2 points in front of Cook & Joe, and Adam Gold, The Wendy’s Big Show and Matt McClearin all separated by 1 point.
- Of the 56 shows eligible for consideration this year, 15 received at least one 1st place vote.
Here is the remaining schedule for the BSM Top 20 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.
