Barrett Media's 2025 News/Talk Radio Showdown: Unveiling the Top 20!
The battle for the top spot in News/Talk Radio is fierce! Barrett Media, in collaboration with JJ Surma Voiceovers, presents the ultimate ranking of the top 20 Major Market Afternoon shows of 2025. But who will reign supreme?
Explore the full list by visiting our website, subscribing to our newsletters, or following us on social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, and X. Stay tuned for the upcoming releases, and don't miss the exclusive video discussion on the Barrett Media YouTube page after the series concludes in March.
These rankings are a democratic process, reflecting the collective wisdom of industry voters. Barrett Media remains impartial, facilitating the voting and presenting the results.
Key Insights:
- Performance-based Ranking: The 2025 performance is the sole criterion, ensuring a fair evaluation.
- Visual Representation: We request photos and logos to enhance the presentation, but compliance is often low, making it a time-consuming task for our team.
- Diverse Voting Panel: With 40 program directors and executives from leading radio broadcasting companies, including Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, and more, we ensure a comprehensive and unbiased perspective.
- Voting Criteria: From the ear test to industry buzz, our voters consider various factors, acknowledging the diversity of tastes and priorities across the country.
- Competitive Field: In the Major Market News/Talk Radio Afternoon Shows category, 36 shows vied for the top spots, making it a highly competitive race.
And the winner is... Mitch Albom of WJR 760 in Detroit! Mitch's journey to the top has been remarkable, climbing from 5th in 2024 to the pinnacle in 2025. Congratulations to Mitch and the entire WJR team!
Special thanks to Dylan Barrett for the captivating artwork and all the voters for their participation. Now, let's reveal Barrett Media's Top 20 Major Market News/Talk Radio Afternoon Shows of 2025:
- Mitch Albom's victory was a close call, with a 10-point lead over the Von Haessler Doctrine, including 5 first-place votes.
- Ryan Ermanni, Dominic Carter, LA's Afternoon News, Tony Ortiz & Tracey McCaskill, and Drivetime with DeRusha just missed the top 20, landing in spots 21-25.
- James Parker secured 10th place in a tight race, beating Cats & Crosby by a mere 2 points.
- Out of the 36 shows on the ballots, 8 received at least one 1st place vote, showcasing the diversity of preferences.
But here's where it gets interesting...
Barrett Media's upcoming schedule promises more exciting revelations:
- February 16: BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Program Directors of 2024
- February 17: BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Stations of 2025
- February 18: BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market News Media Digital Shows of 2025
- February 19: BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market News Television Shows of 2025
- February 20: BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market News Television Talent of 2025
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Jason Barrett, the visionary behind Barrett Media, has a rich history in the media industry. From building top audio and video brands to his work at ESPN Radio, Jason's expertise is unparalleled. Reach out to him on Twitter or via email to connect with this media powerhouse.
What are your thoughts on the rankings? Do you agree with the top spot? Let us know in the comments below! The world of News/Talk Radio is a fascinating one, and we'd love to hear your opinions.
