Barrett Media's Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows of 2025: A Comprehensive Overview
Welcome to the seventh day of Barrett Media's annual Top 20 Music Radio series, brought to you by Strategic Solutions Research. This year marks Strategic Solutions Research's 20th anniversary, providing strategic research, music testing, and personality content testing to clients across the US and 22 countries. Special thanks go to Hal Rood and Kevin Cassidy for their support in this series and the music radio industry.
Today, we delve into the Top 20 AC/Hot AC radio shows, with all results available on Barrett Media's website and Nooner newsletter. Stay updated by following us on Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, and X. The remaining schedule for the series is outlined below.
Important Notes:
1. These results are based on the collective feedback of industry voters, with Barrett Media acting as the organizer and presenter. Voting is based on 2025 performance, with no impact on 2026 results.
2. Music radio is a vast landscape, and some shows appear in multiple formats. Programmers manage stations in various cities and formats, making it challenging to attribute credit accurately. While we strive for perfection, human errors may occur. Please contact Jason@BarrettMedia.com to report any discrepancies.
3. This series focuses exclusively on United States terrestrial music radio shows and programmers, excluding shows on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, SiriusXM, YouTube, podcasts, and programming outside the US.
4. The series features 320 images of radio shows and program directors, with no changes unless an error is identified.
Voting Process:
192 program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants participated in this year's voting, surpassing last year's 173. While a few were absent, the overall support was outstanding. Thank you!
Voters represent companies like 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, and numerous consultancies. This diverse group ensures input from all regions of the country and prevents bias.
51 programmers, consultants, and executives voted on the Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows and Program Directors. The voting process utilized a point system, with 1st place votes earning 20 points and subsequent selections decreasing by 2 points.
And the Winner Is:
Karson & Kennedy of Mix 104.1 in Boston secured the top spot, marking their second consecutive category victory in the Top 20 series. Congrats to the entire team!
Additional Notes:
- Karson & Kennedy scored 17 points more than Ellen K., with a tie for the most 1st place votes (5).
- Mercedes in the Morning, Kramer & Jess, John Tesh, Wendy Wilde, and Miguel & Holly occupied spots 21-25.
- Bret Mega edged out Sean Copeland by 1 point for 19th place.
- 27 radio shows received at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media's Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows of 2025:
- Karson & Kennedy (Mix 104.1, Boston)
- Ellen K.
- The KVJ Show
- Mercedes in the Morning
- Kramer & Jess
- John Tesh
- Wendy Wilde
- Miguel & Holly
- Bret Mega
- Sean Copeland
Upcoming Releases:
- Wednesday, March 4: Barrett Media Top 20 CHR/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors
For the latest updates and newsletters, sign up on BarrettMedia.com. Jason Barrett, Founder and CEO of Barrett Media, has a rich history in radio programming and consulting, having worked at various stations and ESPN Radio. Reach him on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or via email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
