The Marconi Radio Awards finalists are officially set for 2026. NAB will honor this year’s winners during its annual fall celebration in New York.
What We Know: The National Association of Broadcasters announced the 2026 Marconi Radio Awards finalists during a livestream hosted by Toby Knapp and Chilli Amar of 97.1 WASH-FM in Washington, D.C. The winners will be revealed on Tuesday, October 20th, during a dinner program at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. The ceremony takes place the night before NAB Show New York begins and remains one of radio’s signature annual events. Established in 1989, the Marconi Radio Awards recognize excellence across the industry, honoring stations, on-air personalities, podcasts and broadcasting leaders. Named for inventor and Nobel Prize winner Guglielmo Marconi, the awards have long served as one of radio’s highest professional distinctions.
What’s at Stake: For broadcasters, earning a Marconi Award carries significant prestige. Winners often use the recognition to strengthen their brands, celebrate staff accomplishments and highlight their commitment to serving listeners. Additionally, the annual ceremony brings together executives, programmers, talent and owners from across the country, making it one of radio’s premier networking events. The awards also spotlight excellence across a wide range of market sizes and programming formats.
What Remains Unclear: It remains unknown whether the ceremony will feature additional special recognitions beyond the competitive award categories.
What It Means: The Marconi Radio Awards continue to represent a benchmark for success in broadcast radio despite the industry’s evolving audio landscape. As broadcasters compete across terrestrial radio, streaming and podcasting, the annual awards reinforce the value of exceptional programming, strong local connections and consistent audience service. With NAB Show New York immediately following the ceremony, the event also provides momentum for broader conversations about radio’s future.
The 2026 Nominees Include:
LEGENDARY STATION OF THE YEAR
- KFI-AM, Los Angeles, CA
- WCBS-FM, New York, NY
- WIVK-FM, Knoxville, TN
- WJR-AM, Detroit, MI
- WLW-AM, Cincinnati, OH
LEGENDARY RADIO MANAGER OF THE YEAR
- Joey Cummings, South Seas Broadcasting Inc., Pago Pago, AS
- Tery Garras, KXLY-FM, Spokane, WA
- Julie Koehn, WLEN-FM, Adrian, MI
- Mitch Rosen, WSCR-AM, Chicago, IL
- David Yadgaroff, Audacy, Philadelphia, PA
NETWORK/SYNDICATED PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
- Anna & Raven, WEZN-FM, Cumulus, Metro Fairfield, CT
- El Free Guey Show, TelevisaUnivision, Houston, TX
- Ryan Fox, Westwood One, Dallas, TX
- Ryan Seacrest, Premiere Radio Networks, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
- The Bob & Sheri Show, WKQC-FM, Beasley, Charlotte, NC
MAJOR MARKET PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
- The Andie Summers Show, WXTU-FM, Philadelphia, PA
- Ellen K, KOST-FM, Los Angeles, CA
- Patty Jackson, WDAS-FM, Philadelphia, PA
- Karson and Kennedy, WBMX-FM, Boston, MA
- Riggs, Katelyn & Erica, KKBQ-FM, Houston, TX
LARGE MARKET PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
- Paul Castronovo, WBGG-FM, Miami, FL
- Rebecca Cressman, KSFI-FM, Salt Lake City, UT
- Karen Dalessandro, KSLX-FM, Phoenix, AZ
- Heather & Matty, WWLI-FM, Providence, RI
- Justin, Scott and Spiegel, WIYY-FM, Baltimore, MD
MEDIUM MARKET PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
- The Blake Show with Kelly and Todd, WMGX-FM, Portland, ME
- Buzz Jackson, KIIM-FM, Tucson, AZ
- Joe & Tina Mornings, WZSR-FM, Crystal Lake, IL
- Ron Olson and Karen Perrin, WRVR-FM, Memphis, TN
- Ben Davis & Kelly K, WDJX-FM, Louisville, KY
SMALL MARKET PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
- The Cosmo & Kat Show, KTXY-FM, Columbia, MO
- Chris Lawrence, WCHS-AM, Charleston, WV
- Ian Rambo, KQRQ-FM, Rapid City, SD
- The Ryan Smetzer Show, WIKZ-FM, Hagerstown, MD
- Stafford and Frigo, KDXY-FM, Jonesboro, AR
MAJOR MARKET STATION OF THE YEAR
- WBEB-FM, Philadelphia, PA
- WBMX-FM, Boston, MA
- WCBS-FM, New York, NY
- WSCR-AM, Chicago, IL
- WTMX-FM, Chicago, IL
LARGE MARKET STATION OF THE YEAR
- KTMY-FM, Saint Paul, MN
- WALK-FM, Long Island, NY
- WHQG-FM, Milwaukee, WI
- WWRM-FM, Tampa, FL
- WYXB-FM, Indianapolis, IN
MEDIUM MARKET STATION OF THE YEAR
- WBTJ-FM, Richmond, VA
- WHBC-AM, Canton, OH
- WMFS-FM, Memphis, TN
- WPOR-FM, Portland, ME
- WYCT-FM, Pensacola, FL
SMALL MARKET STATION OF THE YEAR
- KBHP-FM, Bemidji, MN
- KMMX-FM, Lubbock, TX
- KNDE-FM, College Station, TX
- WIOG-FM, Saginaw, MI
- WYOT-FM, Rochelle, IL
ADULT CONTEMPORARY (AC) STATION OF THE YEAR
- KBIG-FM, Los Angeles, CA
- KRWM-FM, Seattle, WA
- KSTP-FM, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN
- KUIC-FM, San Francisco, CA
- WKJY-FM, Long Island, NY
BEST RADIO PODCAST OF THE YEAR
- “Flying Through Fog: A Podcast for PANS/PANDAS Caregivers,” WTRC-FM, South Bend, IN
- “Purple Daily,” KSTP-AM, Saint Paul, MN
- “Supporting Sobriety,” WIBC-FM, Indianapolis, IN
- “The Install with Greg Cosell,” WGFX-FM, Nashville, TN
- “Uinta Triangle,” KSL-FM, Salt Lake City, UT
CHR STATION OF THE YEAR
- KNDE-FM, College Station, TX
- KQMV-FM, Seattle, WA
- KRBE-FM, Houston, TX
- KTXY-FM, Columbia, MO
- WBLI-FM, Long Island, NY
CLASSIC HITS STATION OF THE YEAR
- KONO-FM, San Antonio, TX
- KOOL-FM, Phoenix, AZ
- WCBS-FM, New York, NY
- WGTZ-FM, Dayton, OH
- WSRV-FM, Atlanta, GA
COLLEGE STATION OF THE YEAR
- WHPC-FM, Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY
- WMSC-FM, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
- WOLF Radio, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA
- WRRC-FM, Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
- WSOU-FM, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
COUNTRY STATION OF THE YEAR
- KCLR-FM, Columbia, MO
- KFGE-FM, Lincoln, NE
- KIKV-FM, Alexandria, MN
- KKBQ-FM, Houston, TX
- WUSY-FM, Chattanooga, TN
NEWS/TALK STATION OF THE YEAR
- KFI-AM, Los Angeles, CA
- KXL-FM, Portland, OR
- WHPT-FM, Tampa, FL
- WLW-AM, Cincinnati, OH
- WSB-AM, Atlanta, GA
RELIGIOUS STATION OF THE YEAR
- WFMV-AM, Columbia, SC
- WGTS-FM, Washington, DC
- WJOU-FM, Huntsville, AL
- WLVU-FM, Nashville, TN
- WMCA-AM, New York, NY
ROCK STATION OF THE YEAR
- WIIL-FM, Chicago, IL
- WIYY-FM, Baltimore, MD
- WNCX-FM, Cleveland, OH
- WPLR-FM, New Haven, CT
- WXTB-FM, Tampa, FL
SPANISH LANGUAGE STATION OF THE YEAR
- KOVE-FM, Houston, TX
- WAMR-FM, Miami, FL
- WLZL-FM, Washington, DC
- WZTU-FM, Miami, FL
SPORTS STATION OF THE YEAR
- KTCK-FM, Dallas, TX
- WEEI-FM, Boston, MA
- WGFX-FM, Nashville, TN
- WIP-FM, Philadelphia, PA
- WJOX-FM, Birmingham, AL
URBAN STATION OF THE YEAR
- WCFB-FM, Orlando, FL
- WDAS-FM, Philadelphia, PA
- WDZZ-FM, Flint, MI
- WEDR-FM, Miami, FL
- WHQT-FM, Miami, FL
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.