{"id":501955,"date":"2026-03-03T21:37:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T21:37:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/501955\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T21:37:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T21:37:21","slug":"barrett-medias-top-20-ac-hot-ac-radio-shows-of-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/501955\/","title":{"rendered":"Barrett Media\u2019s Top 20 AC\/Hot AC Radio Shows of 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

– Advertisement –\"Jim<\/a><\/p>\n

Welcome to day seven of Barrett Media\u2019s Top 20 of 2025 in Music Radio presented by\u00a0Strategic Solutions Research<\/a>. Strategic Solutions Research is celebrating its 20th year providing strategic research, music testing and personality content testing for clients in the US and in 22 countries. Please reach out and give a special thanks to\u00a0Hal Rood<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Kevin Cassidy<\/a>\u00a0for supporting the Top 20 series and the entire music radio industry.<\/p>\n

Today, we turn our attention to the Top 20 AC\/Hot AC radio shows. All results from this series are available on our\u00a0website<\/a>.\u00a0The Nooner newsletter<\/a>\u00a0also has the information each day in your inbox at 12pm ET. We promote results across social media too. Follow us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>,\u00a0TikTok<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0to stay updated.<\/p>\n

The remaining schedule of releases is down below the images.\u00a0Once this series ends, I will record videos discussing the entire process for music, sports and news. Those videos will be posted to the\u00a0Barrett Media YouTube page<\/a>. Make sure you subscribe so you\u2019re notified once the video goes live.<\/p>\n

Important Information<\/p>\n

#1\u00a0\u2013\u00a0These results represent the collective feedback provided by our industry voters.\u00a0Barrett Media does not vote in this process.\u00a0Our role is to assemble the group, collect the votes, and present the information. Voting is based on 2025\u2019s performance. 2026 changes have no effect on the final results. Think of it like an MVP race in sports \u2013 voters vote on last season\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n

#2 \u2013\u00a0Music radio is a massive space. Some shows appear on lists in multiple formats. Programmers run stations in different cities and formats. Changes occur under the radar and without stations updating key information. That makes it difficult when trying to issue proper credit to deserving programmers, hosts and\/or brands. We try to get it perfect, but we\u2019re human, and mistakes do happen. If you notice an error, please email\u00a0Jason@BarrettMedia.com<\/a>\u00a0so we can fix it.<\/p>\n

#3\u00a0\u2013\u00a0This series specifically focuses on United States terrestrial music radio shows and programmers. Shows and brand leaders with Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, SiriusXM, YouTube, podcasts and programming outside the United States are not included.<\/p>\n

#4\u00a0\u2013 This series features 320 images of radio shows and program directors. There are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. We understand you may not like the way your left shoulder looks in a photo but such is life. Thanks in advance for understanding.<\/p>\n

The Voting Process<\/p>\n

A record One Hundred and Ninety Two (192) program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants were involved in this year\u2019s voting. That beat last year\u2019s mark of 173. Like always, there were a few who didn\u2019t weigh in who I\u2019d have loved to include but overall, the support was outstanding. THANK YOU!<\/p>\n

Be advised that our voters represent the following companies: iHeartMedia, Audacy, Cumulus Media, Beasley Media, Cox Media Group, Townsquare Media, Hubbard Radio, Bonneville, Radio One, Connoisseur Media, SummitMedia, Saga Communications, MediaCo., Buck Owens Production Company, Pamal Broadcasting, Times-Shamrock Media, Stephens Media Group, Guaranty Media, Lotus Communications, Cromwell Media Group, Midwest Communications, One Putt Broadcasting, Griffin Media, plus numerous consultancies. We involve a large group to assure input is received from all areas of the country and to prevent the results from favoring any one company.<\/p>\n

Though 192 voters are involved, the number of people voting on each format is lower. This is by design. We want experts from each format voting on what they know best. Depending on their role and expertise, some vote on all eight formats, others vote on as little as one. For this category, 51 programmers, consultants, and executives voted on the Top 20 AC\/Hot AC Radio Shows and Program Directors.<\/p>\n

Two hundred thirty nine (239) AC\/Hot AC radio shows appeared on ballots submitted by our voters this year. We use a point system for this process with a 1st place votes equaling 20 points, and each selection between #2-#10 earning two points less. It\u2019s not a perfect system but it\u2019s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry\u2019s best.<\/p>\n

And the Winner Is\u2026<\/p>\n

Karson & Kennedy of Mix 104.1 in Boston. This is the Boston duo\u2019s second straight category victory in the Top 20 series. Congrats to Karson, Kennedy and the entire Mix 104.1 team on the well deserved recognition.<\/p>\n

I want to thank\u00a0Dylan Barrett<\/a>\u00a0for creating the artwork, and each AC\/Hot AC radio voter who participated in the voting process. Now without further delay, here are Barrett Media\u2019s Top 20 AC\/Hot AC radio shows of 2025.<\/p>\n

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Additional Notes:<\/p>\n

Karson & Kennedy\u00a0scored the category victory by seventeen (17) points over Ellen K. They tied with Ellen K and The KVJ Show for the most first place votes in the category with five (5).<\/p>\n

Spots 21-25 went to\u00a0Mercedes in the Morning, Kramer & Jess,\u00a0John Tesh,\u00a0Wendy Wilde\u00a0and Miguel & Holly.<\/p>\n

The tightest race featured\u00a0Bret Mega\u00a0edging Sean Copeland\u00a0by one (1) point for 19th place.<\/p>\n

Of the Two Hundred and Thirty Nine (239) radio shows to earn votes, twenty seven (27) notched at least one 1st place vote.<\/p>\n

Barrett Media\u2019s Music Radio \u2013 Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:<\/p>\n

Wednesday March 4\u00a0= BM Top 20 CHR\/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors<\/p>\n

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries.\u00a0Sign up<\/a>\u00a0for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.<\/p>\n

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Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America\u2019s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com<\/a>, 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 \u2018The Dan Patrick Show\u2019 and \u2018GameNight\u2019. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n