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.
Our news/talk radio series concludes with a look at the Top 20 Major Market Radio Stations of 2025. We wrap up this week with news television and news digital. Music radio takes center stage starting next week. For all of the results from this series, visit our website, subscribe to our newsletters, or follow us on X, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and/or Instagram. After the entire Top 20 series ends in March, I will record videos discussing the entire process for sports, news and music. Those videos will be posted on the Barrett Media YouTube page. Make sure you 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 53 stations appeared on ballots submitted for voting consideration in the Major Market News/Talk Radio Stations category.
And the Winner Is…
Washington D.C.’s WTOP. The widely respected news brand in the nation’s capital follows 2024’s win with a repeat victory. Congratulations to Julia Ziegler, Joel Oxley and their entire 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 Major Market News/Talk Radio Stations of 2025.
Additional Notes:
- WTOP landed a twenty seven (27) point win over runner up 1010 WINS. Washington D.C.’s dominant news brand also recorded a category best six (6) first-place votes.
- Spots 21-25 belonged to WCCO, KTRH, WRKO, WBAP, and WFLA.
- The closest battle was for 12th place. KTW narrowly defeated KOA by two (2) points.
- Of the 53 shows to appear on submitted ballots, eight (8) received at least one 1st place vote.
BM Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:
- 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.
