The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) handed out the 2026 Marconi Radio Awards Tuesday night in New York City. Radio’s top personalities, shows, leaders and brands filled the Edison Ballroom to learn who earned recognition as this year’s best.
What We Know: The NAB honored winners in 23 categories after revealing the finalists in July. Houston and Boston led the night with three wins apiece. Deja Vu of Compass Media Networks hosted the show. Multiple presenters guided different parts of the program in a fast paced and time efficient manner.
In Houston, KKBQ took Country Station, KRBE won CHR Station and KOVE claimed Spanish Language Station.
Meanwhile, Boston’s WBMX won Major Market Station, and its morning show, Karson & Kennedy, earned Major Market Personality. WEEI then added Sports Station of the Year, its sixth Marconi in the category and first since 2018.
Additionally, WIVK in Knoxville earned Legendary Station. Julie Koehn of Lenawee Broadcasting’s WLEN won Legendary Radio Manager. Elsewhere, WCBS-FM won Classic Hits Station, and Miami’s WHQT took Urban Station.
Finally, WTOP’s Joel Oxley received the NAB National Radio Award.
What They Said: Several winners used their speeches to make the case for radio. Karson Tager opened up about breast cancer battles that hit the show, including Kennedy’s 2022 diagnosis. He said those hard days showed him why listeners tune in.
“They want to laugh, they want to forget, which is what we did, and what we still do every day on this show.” -Karson Tager
Meanwhile, Julie Koehn, a 41-year industry veteran, reminded the room that nobody gets anywhere alone. She also credited listeners who donated thousands of coats to WLEN’s coat drive.
Another bright spot and optimistic tone was struck by this year’s recipient of the National Radio Award. “This business has a really, really bright future. I truly believe that.” -Joel Oxley
The Winners List:
| Category | Winner |
| Legendary Station | WIVK-FM, Knoxville, Tenn. |
| Legendary Radio Manager | Julie Koehn, Lenawee Broadcasting (WLEN-FM, Adrian, Mich.) |
| Network/Syndicated Personality | The Bob & Sheri Show, Beasley Media Group |
| Major Market Personality | Karson & Kennedy, WBMX-FM (MIX 104.1), Boston |
| Large Market Personality | Karen Dalessandro, KSLX-FM, Phoenix |
| Medium Market Personality | Ron Olson & Karen Perrin, WRVR-FM, Memphis, Tenn. |
| Small Market Personality | Chris Lawrence, WCHS-AM, Charleston, W.Va. |
| Major Market Station | WBMX-FM, Boston |
| Large Market Station | WYXB-FM, Indianapolis |
| Medium Market Station | WYCT-FM, Pensacola, Fla. |
| Small Market Station | KBHP-FM, Bemidji, Minn. |
| Adult Contemporary Station | KBIG-FM, Los Angeles |
| Best Radio Podcast | Purple Daily, SKOR North (KSTP-AM), St. Paul, Minn. |
| CHR Station | KRBE-FM, Houston |
| Classic Hits Station | WCBS-FM, New York |
| College Station | WRRC-FM, Rider University, Lawrenceville, N.J. |
| Country Station | KKBQ-FM, Houston |
| News/Talk Station | WSB-AM, Atlanta |
| Religious Station | WGTS-FM, Washington, D.C. |
| Rock Station | WIYY-FM, Baltimore |
| Spanish Language Station | KOVE-FM, Houston |
| Sports Station | WEEI-FM, Boston |
| Urban Station | WHQT-FM, Miami |
What It Means: Local service drove many of the night’s best moments. For example, KBHP’s acceptance centered on its coverage after 110 mph winds tore through Bemidji, Minn. Similarly, WEEI pointed to its Jimmy Fund Radiothon, which has raised more than $87 million for cancer research and treatment.
Small Market Personality winner Chris Lawrence of WCHS in Charleston, W.Va., also delivered a standout speech. His remarks about loving his job, taking pride in what he does for 36 years and counting, and being blessed to work for a local ownership group that cares about serving its community produced a standing ovation.
Likewise, Atlanta’s WSB credited live and local programming on a signal that dates back 104 years. Rider University’s WRRC, the College Station winner, involves 125 students at a school of just 2,800. The message was clear. Radio’s winners still earn their trophies in their own communities. In addition, the future of radio is on college radio so start hiring the next crop of broadcasters. The industry now shifts to NAB Show New York, which runs Wednesday and Thursday at the Javits Center.
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.
