Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2025 for News/Talk Radio is presented by JJ Surma Voiceovers. JJ is an avid supporter of the news/talk format. Be sure to check out his work and learn how he can elevate your brand by clicking here.
Day two of our news/talk series recognizes the Top 20 Mid Market morning shows of 2025. To learn of future results, visit our website, newsletters, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram. The full schedule of upcoming releases is listed down below the images. After the Top 20 series ends in March, I will record a video discussing the entire process. That video will be posted on the Barrett Media YouTube page. Be sure to subscribe so you’re notified once the video goes live.
As you review these results, please remember that they represent the collective feedback shared by our industry voters. Barrett Media does not vote in this process. Our role is to assemble the group, collect the votes, and present the information.
Important Information
#1 – These results are based on 2025’s performance. 2026 changes have no effect on the voting.
#2 – We ask our voters to supply photos and logos to avoid headaches. Some comply, but most don’t. It forces us to spend a lot of time digging for images to highlight everyone. For that reason, there are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. Thanks in advance for understanding.
#3 – Our executive panel consists of forty (40) program directors and corporate executives from radio’s top broadcasting companies. They include Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Cox Media Group, Townsquare Media, Hubbard Radio, Bonneville, Radio One, Nexstar Media, Zimmer Communications, Connoisseur Media, Salem Radio Network, Premiere Networks, Fox News Radio, and a number of independently owned and operated outlets. Our voting group is large because we want feedback from all areas of the country. We also try to make sure the results don’t favor any one company.
#4 – The criteria for our voters included the ear test, originality, multi-platform impact, ratings success, clearance (national shows) and industry buzz. Keep in mind, our voters live in different cities, 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.
#5 – A total of 77 shows appeared on ballots submitted for voting consideration in the Mid Market News/Talk Radio Morning Shows category.
And the Winner Is…
Tony Katz and the Morning News on WIBC in Indianapolis. This is the second year running that Tony has claimed the top prize in the category. Congrats to Tony, David Wood, and the entire 93.1 WIBC team on the well deserved recognition.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for creating the artwork, and each voter who participated in the process. Now without further delay, here are Barrett Media’s Top 20 Mid Market News/Talk Radio Morning Shows of 2025.
Additional Notes:
- Tony Katz held a steady twenty six (26) point advantage over Pete Mundo to notch the category win. Katz also scored the most first-place votes among morning shows with five (5).
- Spots 21-25 were occupied by A New Morning Show with Susan & Brian, Wisconsin’s Morning News, Utah’s Morning News, Portland’s Morning News, and WWL’s First News with Tommy Tucker.
- The closest battle was for 7th place. Total Information AM‘s one (1) point lead helped the St. Louis show hold off WBAL’s C4 and Bryan Nehman.
- Of the 77 shows to appear on submitted ballots, eight (8) received at least one 1st place vote.
BM Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:
- Thursday February 12 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Midday Shows of 2025
- Friday February 13 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Afternoon Shows of 2025
- Monday February 16 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Program Directors of 2024
- Tuesday February 17 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Stations of 2025
- Wednesday February 18 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market News Media Digital Shows 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.
