The National Association of Broadcasters announced the 2026 Marconi Radio Award winners during an Oct. 20 ceremony at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. The awards recognize stations and on-air personalities for achievement and service to their communities.
NAB established the awards in 1989 and named them for inventor and Nobel Prize winner Guglielmo Marconi.
Joel Oxley, president and general manager of Hubbard Radio Washington, D.C., received the 2026 NAB National Radio Award for his leadership and contributions to the industry. Over more than three decades, Oxley has helped shape WTOP and Federal News Network into trusted news sources for the Washington region.
A committee of broadcasters selected the finalists, and the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Selection Academy chose the winners:
AwardWinnerLegendary Station of the YearWIVK-FM, Knoxville, TennesseeLegendary Radio Manager of the YearJulie Koehn, WLEN-FM, Adrian, MichiganNetwork/Syndicated Personality of the Year“The Bob & Sheri Show,” WKQC-FM, Beasley Media Group, Charlotte, North CarolinaMajor Market Personality of the Year“Karson and Kennedy,” WBMX-FM, BostonLarge Market Personality of the YearKaren Dalessandro, KSLX-FM, PhoenixMedium Market Personality of the YearRon Olson and Karen Perrin, WRVR-FM, Memphis, TennesseeSmall Market Personality of the YearChris Lawrence, WCHS-AM, Charleston, West VirginiaMajor Market Station of the YearWBMX-FM, BostonLarge Market Station of the YearWYXB-FM, IndianapolisMedium Market Station of the YearWYCT-FM, Pensacola, FloridaSmall Market Station of the YearKBHP-FM, Bemidji, MinnesotaBest Radio Podcast of the Year“Purple Daily,” KSTP-AM, Hubbard Broadcasting, St. Paul, MinnesotaAC Station of the YearKBIG-FM, Los AngelesCHR Station of the YearKRBE-FM, HoustonClassic Hits Station of the YearWCBS-FM, New YorkCollege Radio Station of the YearWRRC-FM, Rider University, Lawrenceville, New JerseyCountry Station of the YearKKBQ-FM, HoustonNews/Talk Station of the YearWSB-AM, AtlantaReligious Station of the YearWGTS-FM, Washington, D.C.Rock Station of the YearWIYY-FM, BaltimoreSpanish Language Station of the YearKOVE-FM, HoustonSports Station of the YearWEEI-FM, BostonUrban Station of the YearWHQT-FM, MiamiYou can see and download photos from the event here.
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