Country radio’s biggest voices and standout stations are getting their moment in the spotlight as the Country Music Association reveals the winners of its 2026 CMA Broadcast Awards.
The annual honors recognize broadcasters who help bring country music to listeners nationwide, celebrating everything from nationally syndicated programs to local radio personalities who have built strong connections with their communities.
This year’s announcement came with a special surprise. Country star Zach Top, the reigning CMA New Artist of the Year, personally called winning broadcasters to deliver the good news, adding a memorable touch to one of the industry’s most respected radio honors. Among the national winners, SiriusXM’s The Highway Hot 30 Countdown with Buzz Brainard captured Weekly National Broadcast Personality of the Year. The nationally syndicated Big D & Bubba program, featuring Derek Haskins and Sean Powell alongside their broadcast team, earned Daily National Broadcast Personality of the Year.
Several familiar local radio teams also received recognition. Philadelphia’s The Andie Summers Show on WXTU took home Major Market Broadcast Personality of the Year, while Cincinnati’s The Jesse & Anna Show on WUBE secured the large-market award. In the medium-market category, Steve Lundy and Gina Melton of Steve & Gina in the Morning on Omaha’s Kat 103.7 earned top honors. Lexington, Kentucky’s Officer Don and DeAnn on WBUL rounded out the personality winners with the small-market award.
Radio stations also shared in the celebration, with four outlets receiving Station of the Year recognition.
Dallas-Fort Worth’s KSCS claimed the major-market award, while Raleigh-Durham’s WQDR earned the large-market distinction. Omaha-Council Bluffs station KXKT secured the medium-market title, and Fayetteville, North Carolina’s WKML won the small-market honor. KXKT enjoyed an especially successful year, collecting awards for both its overall station performance and its morning show. The double victory placed the Omaha broadcaster among the most notable recipients in this year’s competition.
The CMA Broadcast Awards evaluate more than what happens behind the microphone. Judges consider factors including on-air performance, audience ratings, community involvement, leadership, and contributions to the country music industry. The competition is open to eligible full-time radio personalities and stations in the United States and Canada, with categories divided according to market size. Previous winners cannot compete in the same category in consecutive years, allowing additional broadcasters an opportunity for recognition.
The 2026 recipients will be honored during a special ceremony at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 18, ahead of the 60th Annual CMA Awards. Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the televised ceremony will air live on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. Eastern, with streaming availability on Hulu the following day.
While the annual CMA Awards traditionally celebrate the artists and songs dominating country music, the Broadcast Awards recognize the people who help introduce that music to audiences, support emerging performers, and maintain the relationship between country stars and their fans.For this year’s winners, the recognition reflects the continued importance of country radio in an increasingly competitive music landscape.
