We’re more than halfway thru the the 7th annual edition of the BSM Top 20. We started off with a look at the Top 20 National Sports Radio Shows. Next came the Major and Mid Market Morning Shows, and then yesterday, we revealed the Major and Mid Market Midday Shows. Which means today, we’re up to the Major and Mid Market Afternoon programs.
As you go over the selections, please remember that the lists 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 no impact on these outcomes. This means that a show like Jon & Jim, which recently took over afternoon drive on XTRA Sports in San Diego is not eligible since they weren’t on air in that timeslot in 2021. 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 36 shows were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Sports Radio Afternoon 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 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 Major Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows. Taking the top prize this year is the top rated Boston duo, Felger & Mazz. The 98.5 The Sports Hub tandem enjoyed record success in 2021, capped off by an unbelievable 25 share performance in the fall book. The show captured a category best nine (9) first place votes and the most top five finishes of all shows with twenty three (23). BSM congratulates Mike, Tony, Big Jim Murray, James Stewart, Rick Radzik and the entire 98.5 The Sports Hub team 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 Major Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows of 2021!”
Additional Notes:
- Felger & Mazz secured 1st place with a 13 point victory over The Michael Kay Show. TMKS finished four (4) points in front of Carton & Roberts. Felger & Mazz led all afternoon shows with a category high nine (9) first place votes. Carton & Roberts had the second most first place votes with five (5).
- 21-25 was occupied by Dave ‘Softy’ Mahler & Dick Fain on Sports Radio KJR in Seattle, Hochman & Crowder from WQAM/790 The Ticket in Miami, Chuck & Chernoff on 680 The Fan in Atlanta, Clint Stoerner & The Show on Sports Radio 610 and Beckles & Recher on WDAE in Tampa.
- The closest battles featured GBag Nation finishing 1 point in front of Dan Barreiro, and Waddle & Silvy holding off Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks by 2 points.
- Of the 36 shows eligible for consideration this year, 9 received at least one 1st place vote.
Here is the remaining schedule for the BSM Top 20 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.
