The 9th annual BSM Top 20 series continues with a look at the Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Morning Shows of 2023. As you review the selections, please remember that the results represent the collective opinions of fifty eight (58) industry executives. I’d like to thank Alex Reynolds and Stephanie Eads for helping with the Top 20 creative process. A special thank you to Steve Stone Voiceovers for being our exclusive sponsor of the Top 20 series. If you’re unfamiliar with Steve’s work, make sure to click here.
As it pertains to the voting, here are a few key things to be aware of.
– These results are based on 2023’s performance. 2024 changes have no effect on the voting. Given that some shows went through changes, we promoted them based on how they ended, not how they started. Two examples of this are the morning shows at KNBR and 98.5 The Sports Hub.
– Our executive panel consists of fifty eight (58) 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 a number of independently owned and operated radio stations. We involve a large group in this process in order to include feedback from all parts of the country, as well as to prevent the results from heavily favoring one company.
– A total of 30 shows were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Morning Shows category.
– Voters are asked to consider a bunch of factors when making their selections. Among the criteria taken into account included the ear test, originality, ability to entertain, multi-platform impact, on-air chemistry, and ratings success. Keep in mind that voters live in different cities, work for different companies, have different tastes, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect science, but it’s the best system we’ve come up with to showcase how sports radio’s brain trust view the best in the format.
And that brings us to the rankings for this year’s Major Market Morning Shows. For the 3rd time in their history, and the first time in 3 years, Boomer & Gio have taken the top spot. The WFAN morning team finished ahead of The Sports Junkies in Washington D.C. to earn the top honor. We congratulate Gregg, Boomer, Al, Jerry, Eddie and all involved with WFAN on the well deserved recognition, as well as every other morning show which gained a Top 20 spot.
Now, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 Major Market Morning Shows of 2023!”
Additional Notes:
- Boomer & Gio finished comfortably in front of this category by ninety four (94) points. The WFAN morning show also captured the most first place votes with seventeen (17).
- 21-25 belonged to Bickley & Marotta, Payne & Pendergast, The Morning Shift, Sean Salisbury, and Chuck & Buck.
- The closest contests saw Shan & RJ hold off Greg Hill by 1 point. One point also separated DiPietro & Rothenberg and Kap & J.Hood.
- Of the 30 eligible shows, eleven (11) received at least one 1st place vote.
Here is the remaining schedule for the BSM Top 20 of 2023.
- Wednesday February 7 = Top 20 Local Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Midday Shows of 2023
- Thursday February 8 = Top 20 Local Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows of 2023
- Friday February 9 = Top 20 Local Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Program Directors of 2023
- Monday February 12 = Top 20 Local Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Stations of 2023
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.
