Welcome to Barrett Media’s 2026 Top 20 series based on the performances of 2025. This series is popular across sports radio, news/talk radio and music radio, and for 2026, we’re expanding into other areas of the industry. Each month, we’ll feature different categories voted on by leaders in those respective lanes. Stay tuned to this website, our newsletters or X, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social channels to learn what’s coming next. We will also provide commentaries on the Barrett Media YouTube page so be sure to subscribe.
Today marks the first time we are presenting the Top 20 Sports Digital Shows with votes supplied by industry decision makers. 36 sports media executives took part in the voting process. They represent many of the industry’s most powerful brands. Among them include ESPN, Fox Sports, Omaha Productions, The Volume, Bleav, Blue Wire, Locked On Podcast Network, Audacy, iHeartMedia, SiriusXM, Yahoo Sports, Outkick, Red Seat Ventures, Silver Tribe Media, Blue Duck Media, Gamut Podcast Network, and VSiN. Executives from other groups were invited to participate too but did not meet our deadline. We hope to catch them next time around.
Of all the categories to be presented, the Sports Digital Shows category is one of the toughest. Allow me to explain why.
Important Information
First, there were 580 shows listed for voting consideration. We could’ve added more to the list too but having run this series long enough I know it’s rare for less popular shows to gain large voting support from decision makers. Just because a show appears on a list, doesn’t mean it will generate votes. The goal is to recognize the industry’s best performing shows not just elevate company projects or shows hosted by friends. Case in point, of the 580 shows listed 430 didn’t receive a single vote.
The second reason this category is difficult is because the industry as a whole struggles to define a podcast or digital show. Shows such as the Pat McAfee Show, Kentucky Sports Radio, The Michael Kay Show, First Take, etc. perform well on YouTube and the Apple and Spotify charts but are live radio and television shows that are also available in digital form. They will likely appear on our radio and television lists in this series. Many of the shows below are digital first with little or no additional distribution. I understand this can be confusing. Depending on how the industry evolves, we may have to redefine this category down the road. Until then, this is how we’re doing it.
Lastly, the voting process we use is similar to how writers cast votes for awards in professional sports. A first-place vote equals twenty (20) points. A 20th place vote equals one (1) point. We do this to try and keep things balanced. Remember, our voters live in different areas, work for different companies, have different tastes, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.
Closing Comments
As you review the results, please remember that they represent the collective input shared by our industry voters. Barrett Media does not vote in this process. Our role is to assemble the voters, collect their feedback, and present the information. These results represent who they feel is best in the category for the year 2025.
Since some shows switched outlets and strategy along the way, we presented them with their current partners to avoid confusion. You’ll see that with shows led by Pablo Torre, Ryen Russillo and Stephen A. Smith. I want to thank Dylan Barrett for creating the artwork, and every voter who participated in the process. Now without further delay, here are Barrett Media’s Top 20 Sports Digital Shows of 2025. Congrats to all who appeared on this year’s list.
Additional Notes:
- Pablo Torre Finds Out won this category by finishing six (6) points ahead of the Colin Cowherd Podcast. Torre recorded the most first-place votes among all shows in the category with eight (8).
- Spots 21-25 belonged to Men in Blazers, Club Shay Shay, Craig Carton Unfiltered, The Right Time w/ Bomani Jones, and The Draymond Green Show.
- The closest battle was for spots 9 thru 11. Josh Pate, Ryen Russillo and Club 520 were each separated by two points.
- Of the 580 shows to appear on submitted ballots, ten (10) received at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media’s Upcoming Top 20 of 2025 Schedule:
- Thursday January 29: The Top 20 Sports Television Shows of 2025
- Friday January 30: The Top 20 Sports Television Talent of 2025
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
