2025 CMA Broadcast Awards Winners Revealed
The excitement was palpable as Tucker Wetmore, the CMA new artist of the year nominee, took to the phones on Tuesday, October 7th, to surprise various radio stations and broadcast personalities across the United States with the announcement of their wins at the 2025 CMA Broadcast Awards.
The award presentations, set for the Pre-Telecast Ceremony on November 19th, serve as a prelude to the 59th Annual CMA Awards. Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the event will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, offering not only accolades but also a showcase of country music’s finest talents.
Broadcast Personalities Recognized
Among those celebrated was Lon Helton, who, through his show Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton, clinched the CMA broadcast personality of the year in the weekly national category. Helton, renowned for his insightful music sessions and interviews, continues to be a beloved figure in country music radio.
Other Notable Winners and Nominees
This year’s daily national category saw “The Rob and Holly Show” claim victory, bringing their dynamic and engaging radio presence to the forefront. In the major market category, “Chris Carr & Company” from Minneapolis-St. Paul took the top honors, recognized for their compelling content and strong community engagement.
Station of the Year Awards
In terms of stations, KKBQ Houston was named the radio station of the year for major markets, marking a significant achievement for their team. This accolade reflects their dedication to leading the country music scene in one of America’s most populous cities.
Winning Criteria
Winners of each category are determined through rigorous judging involving airchecks, listener ratings, community involvement, and overall impact in the radio industry. This ensures that the awarded personalities and stations truly represent the best in country music broadcasting.
Inclusive Participation
Eligibility for the awards was open to all full-time, on-air broadcast personalities and radio stations in the U.S. and Canada, highlighting the CMA’s inclusive approach. Importantly, previous winners are not eligible to win consecutive awards in the same category, ensuring a level playing field each year.
Comprehensive List of Winners
Here’s a snapshot of this year’s standout winners across various market sizes:
- Weekly National: Lon Helton – “Country Countdown USA”
- Daily National: “The Rob and Holly Show” – Audacy
- Major Market: “Chris Carr & Company” – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul
- Large Market: “The Q Morning Crew w/ Mike & Amanda” – WQDR, Raleigh-Durham
- Medium Market: “Mo & StyckMan” – WUSY, Chattanooga
- Small Market: “Ben & Arnie” – WCOW, La Crosse