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 any show that didn’t last in afternoon drive thru the end of 2021 and any program that arrived in the PM drive slot in 2022 are not eligible. This has been our one rule since starting this series in 2016.
#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 52 shows were eligible for voting consideration in the Mid 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 Mid Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows. Emerging victorious, the popular Columbus tandem of ‘Common Man and TBone‘ featuring Mike Ricordati and Jonathan Smith. The 97.1 The Fan afternoon show has been a mainstay in its market for years, and their 2021 ratings success and ability to entertain and inform was clearly a hit with our voters. The show led all afternoon programs in the category in first place votes with six (6). BSM congratulates Mike, Jonathan, Todd Markiewicz and the entire 97.1 The Fan crew 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 Afternoon Shows of 2021!”
Additional Notes:
- Common Man & TBone finished nine (9) points ahead of The Gary Parrish Show, snagging a category high six (6) first place votes in the process. Pittsburgh’s Poni & Mueller had the second most first place votes with three (3).
- 21-25 was occupied by Cofield & Company on ESPN 1100/100.9 in Las Vegas, Inside Access w/ Ken Weinman and Jason LaCanfora on 105.7 The Fan in Baltimore, Sports Talk w/ Bobby Hebert & Kristian Garic on WWL in New Orleans, Sportsline w/ Chris & Marques on 107.5 The Fan in Green Bay and Sports Talk w/ John & Jimmy on WNML in Knoxville.
- The closest contests involved Mark Madden and Jim Traber holding off Schopp & The Bulldog and Mo Egger by 1 point, and The Next Level fending off 3HL by 3 points.
- Of the 52 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.
- 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.
