CMA Reveals 2026 Broadcast Awards Finalists

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | 10:48am CT

CMA Broadcast Awards

The Country Music Association has announced the finalists for its 2026 CMA Broadcast Awards, recognizing radio personalities and stations for their contributions to Country music and their local communities.

Broadcast Personality of the Year finalists are divided among Weekly National, Daily National, Major, Large, Medium and Small Market categories, while Radio Station of the Year finalists compete in four market-size divisions.

In the Weekly National personality category, finalists are Ryan Fox for "American Country Countdown with Ryan Fox," Cory "Fitz" Fitzner for "The Country Top 40 with Fitz," Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase for "Crook & Chase Countdown," Buzz Brainard for SiriusXM's "The Highway Hot 30 Countdown" and Steve Harmon for the "Steve Harmon Show."

Daily National finalists are "The Angie Ward Show," "Backstage Country with Elaina Smith," "Big D & Bubba," "The Bobby Bones Show" and Audacy's "Katie & Company."

Major Market Personality finalists include "The Andie Summers Show" on WXTU/Philadelphia, "Hawkeye and Michelle" on KSCS/Dallas-Fort Worth, "The Lo Show" on KKBQ/Houston, "Michael J & Candace in the Morning" on WPOC/Baltimore and "The Scotty Kay Show" on WUSN/Chicago.

The Large Market category features "Deb & Matt in the Morning" on WFMS/Indianapolis, "Eagle Mornings with Steve & Karen" on WGH/Norfolk, Heather Froglear on KFRG/Riverside-San Bernardino, "The Jesse & Anna Show" on WUBE/Cincinnati and "Scott and Shannen" on WMIL/Milwaukee.

Medium Market finalists are "Clay and Company" on WYRK/Buffalo, "The Doc Show with Chewy" on WGGY/Wilkes Barre-Scranton, "Joey & Nancy" on WIVK/Knoxville, "Julie and DJ in the Morning" on WPCV/Lakeland-Winter Haven and "Steve & Gina in the Morning" on KXKT/Omaha.

Small Market Personality finalists are "The Cat Pak Morning Show with Brent and Friends" on WYCT/Pensacola, "Hilley & Hart" on KATI/Columbia, MO, "Kicks Wake Up Krew" on WKXC/Augusta, "Liz & Scotty in the Morning" on KCLR/Columbia, MO, and "Officer Don and DeAnn" on WBUL/Lexington.

For CMA Radio Station of the Year, Major Market finalists are KSCS/Dallas-Fort Worth, KSON/San Diego, KYGO/Denver, WMZQ/Washington and WPOC/Baltimore.

Large Market finalists are KFRG/Riverside-San Bernardino, WCTK/Providence, WDSY/Pittsburgh, WMIL/Milwaukee and WQDR/Raleigh-Durham. Medium Market finalists are KXKT/Omaha, WHKO/Dayton, WLFP/Memphis, WQMX/Akron and WUSY/Chattanooga.

The Small Market Station of the Year field consists of KCLR/Columbia, MO, WCOW/La Crosse, WKML/Fayetteville, WKXC/Augusta and WYCT/Pensacola.

CMA determines its market categories based on population rankings from Nielsen. Broadcast Personality entries are judged on airchecks, ratings, community involvement and biographical and impact information. Station entries are evaluated on airchecks, ratings, community involvement, leadership and impact.

Winners will be announced in the coming weeks and recognized during the CMA Awards Pre-Telecast Ceremony. The 60th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, November 18, at 8pm ET on ABC and Disney+, with next-day availability on Hulu.