We continue the 9th annual BSM Top 20 series with a look at the Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows of 2023. If you missed this year’s morning shows and national shows results, click here to get caught up.
As you review these 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, be sure to click here to listen.
Regarding the voting, here are the key things to be aware of.
– These results are based on 2023’s performance. 2024 changes have no effect on the voting. Some shows went through change in 2023. We promote them based on how they ended the year, not how they started it.
– 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 34 shows were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Afternoon 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 Afternoon Shows. The winner this year, earning their third overall category victory is Felger and Mazz of 98.5 The Sports Hub. The Boston duo regained the top spot after two years away from it. BSM congratulates Mike, Tony, and all involved with 98.5 The Sports Hub on the well earned honor, and every other afternoon show that earned a Top 20 spot.
Now, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 Major Market Afternoon Shows of 2023!
Additional Notes:
- Felger and Mazz finished first with a fifty five (55) point victory over The Score’s Parkins and Spiegel. The Hub’s afternoon team also recorded the most first place votes, eleven (11).
- Spots 21-25 belonged to Dave ‘Softy’ Mahler and Dick Fain, Ronnie and TKras, Jones and Mego, Bob and Wyman, and The Best Show Ever.
- The closest contests saw Mike Valenti and Rico Beard slip past Evan and Tiki by one (1) point. Dan Barreiro also snuck by Tolbert and Copes by two (2) points. KNBR’s afternoon team were also tied with 106.7 The Fan’s Grant and Danny for 15th place. That was the only tie of the entire Top 20 series.
- Of the 34 eligible shows, eight (8) received at least one 1st place vote.
Here is the remaining schedule for the BSM Top 20 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
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.
