The 2026 NAB Marconi Radio Awards were presented on the evening of Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Edison Ballroom in New York City, the night before NAB Show New York.
Hosted by nationally syndicated personality Deja Vu (with pre-recorded elements from Matt Cord), the event celebrated excellence in stations, personalities, managers, and podcasts. Xperi was the title sponsor.
Longtime Hubbard Radio Washington, D.C. leader Joel Oxley received the separate 2026 NAB National Radio Award for his decades of contributions, including building WTOP and Federal News Network.
➤Full List of Winners
📻Stations by market size
Format categories
➤Full List of Winners
📻Stations by market size
- Legendary Station of the Year: WIVK-FM (107.7), Knoxville, TN
- Major Market Station of the Year: WBMX-FM (104.1), Boston
- Large Market Station of the Year: WYXB-FM (105.7), Indianapolis
- Medium Market Station of the Year: WYCT-FM (98.7), Pensacola, FL
- Small Market Station of the Year: KBHP-FM (101.1), Bemidji, MN
🎤Personalities by market size
- Legendary Radio Manager of the Year: Julie Koehn, WLEN-FM (103.9), Adrian, MI
- Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year: The Bob & Sheri Show (WKQC-FM, Beasley Media Group, Charlotte, NC)
- Major Market Personality of the Year: Karson and Kennedy, WBMX-FM, Boston
- Large Market Personality of the Year: Karen Dalessandro, KSLX-FM (100.7), Phoenix
- Medium Market Personality of the Year: Ron Olson and Karen Perrin, WRVR-FM (104.5), Memphis
- Small Market Personality of the Year: Chris Lawrence, WCHS-AM (580), Charleston, WV
- AC: KBIG-FM (104.3), Los Angeles
- CHR: KRBE-FM (104.1), Houston
- Classic Hits: WCBS-FM (101.1), New York
- College Radio: WRRC-FM (107.7), Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
- Country: KKBQ-FM (92.9/93Q), Houston
- News/Talk: WSB-AM (750), Atlanta
- Religious: WGTS-FM (91.9), Washington, D.C.
- Rock: WIYY-FM (97.9/98 Rock), Baltimore
- Spanish: KOVE-FM (106.5), Houston
- Sports: WEEI-FM (93.7), Boston (its sixth win in the category)
- Urban: WHQT-FM (105.1), Miami
Highlights: Boston’s WBMX stood out by sweeping Major Market Station and Personality of the Year. Houston stations claimed three format awards (CHR, Country, and Spanish Language). Minnesota also performed strongly, with Purple Daily (sports talk focused on the Vikings and other teams) and small-market KBHP both winning. WIVK continued its strong country presence by taking Legendary Station honors.
The awards, established in 1989 and named for Guglielmo Marconi, remain radio’s highest industry recognition for overall excellence across stations, talent, and leadership.
The awards, established in 1989 and named for Guglielmo Marconi, remain radio’s highest industry recognition for overall excellence across stations, talent, and leadership.