Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2025 for News/Talk Radio is presented by JJ Surma Voiceovers. Be sure to check out JJ’s work and learn how he can elevate your brand by clicking here.
Day 3 of our news/talk series highlights the Top 20 Mid Market Midday 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 47 shows appeared on ballots submitted for voting consideration in the Mid Market News/Talk Radio Midday Shows category.
And the Winner Is…
One of talk radio’s most prominent voices, 700 WLW’s Bill Cunningham. This marks the fourth straight year that Bill has earned the top spot. He has never lost the category since we started highlighting News/Talk radio shows in 2022. No other show across any category in this series has done that. Congrats to Bill, Scott Reinhart, and the entire WLW crew on another strong year of industry 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 Midday Shows of 2025.
Additional Notes:
- Bill Cunningham cruised to a forty eight (48) point victory over KXL’s Lars Larson. Cunningham also secured the most first-place votes in the category with nine (9).
- In spots 21-25 were Midday with Jayme & Weir, Brandon Vogt, Chris & Amy, Chad Benson on SuperTalk 99.7 WTN, and Steve Scaffidi & Kristen Brey.
- Our closest battle was for 16th place. Tony & Dwight held off Chris Hand by two (2) points.
- Of the 47 shows to appear on submitted ballots, six (6) received at least one 1st place vote.
BM Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:
- 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.
