The 2026 CMA Broadcast Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in country radio, were announced earlier today. Reigning CMA New Artist of the Year Zach Top personally called radio stations and broadcast personalities across the country to surprise them with the news of this year’s winners.
Full-time, on-air broadcast personalities and radio stations in the U.S. and Canada were eligible to enter, regardless of CMA membership. Entries were judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals representing all market sizes and regions. Winners of a CMA Broadcast Award are ineligible to compete in the same category the following year, so 2025 recipients were not eligible for the 2026 awards.
“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,” said incoming CMA CEO Brittany Schaffer. “Congratulations to every personality and station, and thank you for all you do for country music.”
🎤CMA BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR:
WEEKLY NATIONAL: “The Highway Hot 30 Countdown with Buzz Brainard” (Buzz Brainard) – SiriusXM
DAILY NATIONAL: “Big D & Bubba” (“Big D” Derek Haskins, “Bubba” Sean Powell, Carsen Humphreville, Jonathan Shaffer, and Garrett Freche) – Silverfish Media
MAJOR MARKET: “The Andie Summers Show” (Andie Summers, Jeff Kurkjian, Donnie Black, and Shannon Boyle) – WXTU, Philadelphia
LARGE MARKET: “The Jesse & Anna Show” (Jesse Tack, Anna Marie, and Jake Thomson) – WUBE, Cincinnati
MEDIUM MARKET: “Steve & Gina in the Morning on Kat 103.7” (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) – KXKT, Omaha-Council Bluffs
SMALL MARKET: “Officer Don and DeAnn” (“Officer Don” Evans and DeAnn Stephens) – WBUL, Lexington
📻CMA RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR:
MAJOR MARKET: KSCS – Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX
LARGE MARKET: WQDR – Raleigh-Durham, NC
MEDIUM MARKET: KXKT – Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA
SMALL MARKET: WKML – Fayetteville, NC
The 60th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC and Disney+, and the next day on Hulu. Winners of the CMA Broadcast Awards will also be recognized during the Pre-Telecast Ceremony earlier that evening, prior to the live primetime show.