The Best of the Best in AC/Hot AC Radio: Unveiling the Top 20 of 2025
Welcome to the seventh installment of Barrett Media’s highly anticipated Top 20 of 2025 in Music Radio, proudly presented by Strategic Solutions Research. As they celebrate two decades of delivering strategic research, music testing, and personality content testing across the US and 22 countries, we invite you to join us in thanking Hal Rood and Kevin Cassidy for their invaluable support of this series and the entire music radio industry. Their contributions have been instrumental in making this celebration of excellence possible.
But here’s where it gets exciting: Today, we’re diving into the Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows, a category that showcases the crème de la crème of adult contemporary and hot adult contemporary programming. Whether you’re a radio enthusiast or a casual listener, this list is sure to spark conversations. All results from this series are available on our website, and you can catch daily updates in The Nooner newsletter at 12pm ET. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, and X for real-time updates.
And this is the part most people miss: Once this series concludes, I’ll be recording in-depth videos discussing the entire process behind these rankings, covering music, sports, and news. These videos will be exclusively available on the Barrett Media YouTube page, so be sure to subscribe to stay in the loop.
Important Insights to Keep in Mind:
The Voice of the Industry: These rankings are the result of collective feedback from industry voters. Barrett Media acts as the facilitator, assembling the group, collecting votes, and presenting the results. It’s akin to an MVP race in sports—voters evaluate 2025’s performance, and 2026 changes don’t influence the final outcomes.
See AlsoThe Monkees at 60: Micky Dolenz Reveals the Real Story Behind the Iconic BandKim Gordon: From Sonic Youth to Solo Success - An Iconic JourneyNeil Young's Crazy Horse: The Band He Said Could Do No Wrong LiveHarry Styles 'One Night in Manchester' Netflix Concert: Full Album Performance & Tracklist!The Complexity of Music Radio: With its vast landscape, some shows appear across multiple formats. Programmers manage stations in different cities and genres, and changes often fly under the radar. This makes it challenging to ensure proper credit is given to deserving programmers, hosts, and brands. While we strive for perfection, mistakes can happen. If you spot an error, please email Jason@BarrettMedia.com so we can correct it.
Focus on U.S. Terrestrial Radio: This series exclusively highlights U.S.-based terrestrial music radio shows and programmers. Shows and leaders from platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, SiriusXM, YouTube, podcasts, and international programming are not included.
The Faces Behind the Voices: Featuring 320 images of radio shows and program directors, we’ve ensured accuracy—unless it’s a mistake. While we understand you might not love how your left shoulder looks, it’s all part of the authenticity. Thanks for your understanding!
The Voting Process: A Deep Dive
This year, a record-breaking 192 program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants participated in the voting, surpassing last year’s 173. While a few key voices were missing, the overall support was overwhelming. A heartfelt THANK YOU to all who contributed!
Our voters represent industry giants like iHeartMedia, Audacy, Cumulus Media, Beasley Media, Cox Media Group, and many more. This diverse group ensures input from all corners of the country, preventing any single company from dominating the results. However, not all 192 voters weigh in on every format. We intentionally limit voting to experts in each specific format, ensuring informed decisions. For the AC/Hot AC category, 51 programmers, consultants, and executives cast their votes.
Controversial Question: Is the Voting System Fair? We use a point system where 1st place votes earn 20 points, and each subsequent selection earns two points less. While it’s not flawless, it’s a system we believe highlights the industry’s best. But what do you think? Does this method truly reflect excellence, or is there room for improvement? Let us know in the comments!
And the Winner Is…
Karson & Kennedy of Mix 104.1 in Boston take the top spot for the second consecutive year! Their victory was hard-fought, edging out Ellen K by just 17 points, despite tying for the most first-place votes (5) with Ellen K and The KVJ Show. Congratulations to Karson, Kennedy, and the entire Mix 104.1 team on this well-deserved recognition.
Additional Highlights:
- Spots 21-25 went to Mercedes in the Morning, Kramer & Jess, John Tesh, Wendy Wilde, and Miguel & Holly.
- The closest race saw Bret Mega edge out Sean Copeland by a single point for 19th place.
- Of the 239 radio shows that received votes, 27 secured at least one 1st place vote, showcasing the fierce competition in this category.
What’s Next?
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 4, when we unveil the BM Top 20 CHR/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors. Stay tuned for more exciting revelations!
Stay Connected
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About Jason Barrett
Jason Barrett, Founder and CEO of Barrett Media, has been a driving force in the media industry since launching the company in September 2015. With a rich background in programming and on-air roles at stations like 95.7 The Game in San Francisco and 101 ESPN in St. Louis, Jason brings unparalleled expertise to the table. Today, Barrett Media provides consulting services to top audio and video brands while serving as a daily destination for media professionals at BarrettMedia.com. Connect with Jason on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or via email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
Final Thought-Provoking Question: With the radio landscape constantly evolving, do you think traditional terrestrial radio can maintain its relevance in the age of streaming and podcasts? Share your thoughts below—we’d love to hear your perspective!
