Welcome to day two of our inaugural BNM Top 20 series presented by Steve Stone Voiceovers. This series runs a total of seven days, and is designed to recognize News/Talk radio’s top shows, hosts, brands and programmers for the 2022 calendar year. To stay informed on each day’s results please bookmark our website, follow BNM on Twitter at @BNMStaff, visit us on Facebook at Barrett News Media or sign up for our daily newsletter, ‘The Rundown‘ by clicking here. The support is greatly appreciated.
The seven categories we are examining this week and next include the industry’s top national and original digital shows, as well as the best morning, midday and afternoon shows, and the best stations and programmers in both Major (#1-#20) and Mid-Sized (#21-Below) markets. We separate large and mid-sized cities since the opportunities and challenges they face are different. Not included in our lists are NPR brands and shows. Maybe down the line we’ll change that or add an extra category but for now, terrestrial outlets are our main focus.
As a format, News/Talk radio is delivered on over two thousand stations. Only the country format is larger in size. We try our best to make sure the top shows, hosts, programmers and brands are listed for voting consideration and also allow room for our voters to add nominees if for some reason someone isn’t listed on our document.
As you review these results, please keep in mind that they represent the collective opinions of forty four industry programmers and executives. I want to thank everyone who took the time to participate in our voting process. Altogether we had representation from fifteen companies and thirty six different cities, which was outstanding.
As it pertains to the voting, here are a few things to be aware of.
#1 – Our executive voters were asked to pick their Top 20 selections for each category based on a few key factors; quality of show (ear test), originality, ability to entertain-inform-connect across multiple platforms, ratings success, clearance (national shows) and industry buzz. Remember, our voters live in different cities, have different tastes, work for different groups, and value certain factors higher than others. This isn’t a perfect system but it’s the best one we’ve been able to create to showcase the industry’s best. Having done this for seven years for the sports talk format, we’re going to stick with it until another approach makes more sense.
#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, Cox Media Group, Radio One, Alpha, Bonneville, FOX News Radio, Hearst, Federated Media, Zimmer Communications, and Westwood One. We involve a large number of people in order to receive feedback from all parts of the country, and to avoid the results heavily favoring one company.
#3 – A total of 43 shows appeared on ballots turned in by our executive panel in the Major Market Morning News/Talk Shows category.
Which brings us to today’s category – Major Market News/Talk Morning Shows. These shows kickstart the day for news/talk stations across the country, being counted on to deliver ratings, revenue and relevance for their respective brands. Many enjoyed exceptional years but the top spot can only be occupied by one.
Congratulations is in order for KFI’s Bill Handel. The broadcasting legend and radio hall of famer received eight (8) 1st place votes from our executive panel to prevail over a talented field. BNM congratulates Bill, Robin Bertolucci and the entire KFI staff on earning this year’s top honor, as well as every other show which landed on this year’s list.
Now, here are the full results of “BNM’s Top 20 Major Market News/Talk Morning Shows of 2022!”
Additional Notes:
- Bill Handel finished 35 points in front of WTOP’s Morning News, thanks to a category high eight (8) first place votes.
- Spots 21-25 belonged to 1010 WINS Morning Drive, Ian Bush & Carol McKenzie, Houston’s Morning News, Wayne Cabot & Paul Murdane and Ted & LaDona.
- The closest contests saw WTOP Morning News edge Bernie & Sid by 2 points, and Len Berman & Michael Reidel hold off LA’s Morning News by 1 point.
- Of the 43 shows to appear on submitted ballots, eight (8) received at least one 1st place vote.
*** Bernard McGuirk of ‘Bernie & Sid’ passed away in early October.
Here is the remaining schedule for the BNM Top 20 of 2022.
- Wednesday December 14 = BNM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Midday Shows of 2022
- Thursday December 15 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Afternoon Shows of 2022
- Friday December 16 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Program Directors of 2022
- Monday December 19 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Stations of 2022
- Tuesday December 20 = The Top 20 Original N/T Digital Shows of 2022
A reminder, BNM will have a big announcement following the Top 20 series on Wednesday December 21st. Make sure to visit the website that day to learn what else we’re up to.
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.
