Country radio’s 2026 trophy class is set, and one Raleigh-Durham station is following a personality win last year with a Station of the Year title. Reigning CMA New Artist of the Year Zach Top delivered the news to the honorees, whose ranks span national syndicators and small-market morning teams.
The Broadcast Personality of the Year winners are The Highway Hot 30 Countdown with Buzz Brainard from SiriusXM for Weekly National and Big D & Bubba from Silverfish Media for Daily National.
In the market-size categories, The Andie Summers Show at WXTU Philadelphia won Major Market, The Jesse & Anna Show at WUBE Cincinnati took Large Market, Steve & Gina in the Morning on Kat 103.7 at KXKT Omaha-Council Bluffs earned Medium Market, and Officer Don and DeAnn at WBUL Lexington, KY, won Small Market.
Stations of the Year are KSCS Dallas-Ft. Worth for Major Market, WQDR Raleigh-Durham for Large Market, KXKT for Medium Market, and WKML Fayetteville, NC, for Small Market. Categories are set by market size based on Nielsen rankings.
CMA incoming CEO Brittany Schaffer said, “Country radio is an important part of our ecosystem, and we’re delighted to celebrate the people who show up for their listeners and communities every day. Congratulations to every personality and station, and thank you for all you do for Country Music.”
The winners will be recognized at the Pre-Telecast Ceremony ahead of the 60th Annual CMA Awards, which airs live Wednesday, November 18, on ABC from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
