Welcome to day six and week two of Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2025 in Music Radio presented by Strategic Solutions Research. 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 Hal Rood and Kevin Cassidy for supporting the Top 20 series and the entire music radio industry.
Today, we shift our focus to the Top 20 Country Program Directors. All results from this series are available on our website. The Nooner newsletter also has the information each day in your inbox at 12pm ET. We promote results across social media too. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram and X to stay updated.
The remaining schedule of releases is down below the images. Once this series ends, I will record videos discussing the entire process for music, sports and news. Those videos will be posted to the Barrett Media YouTube page. Make sure you subscribe so you’re notified once the video goes live.
Important Information
#1 – These results represent the collective feedback provided 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. Voting is based on 2025’s performance. 2026 changes have no effect on the final results. Think of it like an MVP race in sports – voters vote on last season’s performance.
#2 – Music 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’re human, and mistakes do happen. If you notice an error, please email Jason@BarrettMedia.com so we can fix it.
#3 – This 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.
#4 – 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.
The Voting Process
A record One Hundred and Ninety Two (192) program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants were involved in this year’s voting. That beat last year’s mark of 173. Like always, there were a few who didn’t weigh in who I’d have loved to include but overall, the support was outstanding. THANK YOU!
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.
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, 53 programmers, consultants, and executives voted on the Top 20 Country Radio Shows and Program Directors.
Eighty eight (88) Country program directors 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’s not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.
And the Winner Is…
Tim Roberts of 99.5 WYCD in Detroit. Audacy’s Country Format Captain earns his first category win after finishing 4th last year. Congrats to Tim and his staff on the well deserved recognition.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for creating the artwork, and each Country radio voter who participated in the voting process. Now without further delay, here are Barrett Media’s Top 20 Country Program Directors of 2025.
Additional Notes:
- Tim Roberts won a tight race to secure the category win. Roberts finished two (2) points ahead of Mike Preston, who finished one (1) point ahead of last year’s winner Marci Braun. The top three spots were separated by a mere three (3) points. Tim Roberts scored the most first-place votes this year with five (5).
- Spots 21-25 went to Gregg Swedberg, Ashley Wilson, Steve Stewart, JoJo Turnbeaugh, and Dawn Santolucito.
- The closest contest saw Mike Preston edge Marci Braun by one (1) point for 2nd place.
- Of the Eighty Eight (88) programmers to earn votes, twenty one (21) received at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media’s Music Radio – Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:
- Tuesday March 3 = BMM Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows and Program Directors
- Wednesday March 4 = BM Top 20 CHR/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors
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