Philly's WMMR and Pittsburgh's The Fan Dominate 2025 Marconi Radio Awards

The "Oscars of Radio" just wrapped up in New York City, and it was a monumental night for stations in Pennsylvania, with WMMR taking home an unprecedented hat-trick and 93.7 The Fan snagging a major win!

TL;DR

• Philadelphia's WMMR-FM made history, winning three major Marconi Awards: Legendary Station, Major Market Station, and Major Market Personality for Preston & Steve.
• Pittsburgh's 93.7 The Fan (KDKA-FM) was crowned Large Market Station of the Year, a huge honor for the sports talk giant.
• The 2025 NAB Marconi Radio Awards celebrated top talent and stations across the country, highlighting radio's enduring impact and community service.

Hey, radio fans! If you missed the big night, don't sweat it. We've got the full lowdown on the 2025 NAB Marconi Radio Awards, held this past Tuesday night at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. Think of it as the radio industry's answer to the Oscars, where the best of the best get recognized for their amazing work, from captivating talk shows to community-changing initiatives.

This year's ceremony, hosted by the fabulous Danielle Monaro and Medha Gandhi from iHeartMedia's "Elvis Duran and the Morning Show," was buzzing with excitement. And let me tell you, it was a night to remember, especially for our friends in Pennsylvania!

Philadelphia's WMMR Rocks the House with a Historic Hat-Trick

Philly's very own 93.3 WMMR-FM pulled off something truly incredible – a Marconi hat-trick! They didn't just win one, or two, but three prestigious awards, a feat that's never been done before. Talk about making history!

The Beasley Media Group's rock station was honored with:

• Legendary Station of the Year (a first for them!)
• Major Market Station of the Year
• Major Market Personality of the Year for the iconic "Preston & Steve Show"

Chuck Damico, WMMR's Program Director who's been with the station for over three decades, and Beasley Philadelphia VP/Market Manager Paul Blake were there to accept the awards. It's clear that WMMR's 57-year legacy of rockin' with its listeners is stronger than ever.

"Huge congrats to Preston Elliot & Steve Morrison and their entire crew for bringing home Major Market Personality of the Year. The bosses say that The Preston & Steve Show is the best in the world... and now we have the trophy to prove it."

— Marisa Magnatta, Producer at The Preston & Steve Show

This win really shows that even in today's fast-paced digital world, traditional radio, especially when it's deeply connected to its community, is absolutely thriving.

Pittsburgh's 93.7 The Fan Scores Big as Nation's Best Large Market Station

Not to be outdone, Pittsburgh also had a massive reason to celebrate! Sports talk powerhouse 93.7 The Fan (KDKA-FM) clinched the Marconi Award for Large Market Station of the Year. This is a huge deal for "The Fan," which has been a staple in the Steel City for 16 years.

Michael Spacciapolli, Senior Vice President and Market Manager for Audacy Pittsburgh, expressed how humbled and honored they were. He emphasized that The Fan is more than just a radio station; it's a vital part of the community, serving as the flagship station for the Pittsburgh Pirates and University of Pittsburgh football and basketball teams.

The station is also a big player in community service, with campaigns like "Feed the Need," "5-Alarm Marathon" for volunteer fire departments, and "For the W.I.N." supporting the Pittsburgh Women's Shelter. They're all about giving back, and that commitment clearly resonated with the Marconi judges. It's also worth noting that this is the second year in a row an Audacy Pittsburgh station has won a Marconi, with KDKA Radio taking home News/Talk Station of the Year last year!

Celebrating Radio Excellence Across the Airwaves

The Marconi Awards, named after radio inventor Guglielmo Marconi and established in 1989, honor the best stations and on-air personalities. This year's event recognized a fantastic lineup of talent and stations from every corner of the country and every format imaginable.

Other Noteworthy Wins from the 2025 Marconi Awards:

• National Radio Award: Mike McVay, an industry leader honored for decades of leadership and mentorship.
• Legendary Radio Manager of the Year: Nick Martin from Big River Broadcasting Corp. in Florence, AL.
• Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year: The always engaging Colin Cowherd of Premiere Radio Networks.
• Large Market Personality of the Year: Mitch Albom from WJR-AM, Detroit.
• Medium Market Personality of the Year: Larry Hansgen of WHIO-FM, Dayton, OH. (Fun fact: WHIO had both their local weekday hosts nominated in this category!)
• Small Market Personality of the Year: Mark Starling from WWNC-AM, Asheville, NC.
• Best Radio Podcast of the Year: "Behind the Song" by Hubbard Broadcasting, Chicago – proving that audio storytelling is thriving in all its forms.
• Country Station of the Year: KYGO-FM, Denver, CO, taking home their third consecutive Marconi Award!
• News/Talk Station of the Year: WBAL-AM, Baltimore, MD, celebrating its 100th year of broadcasting and recognized for its trusted news and community connection, especially during critical events like the Key Bridge collapse.
• Rock Station of the Year: WDRV-FM, Chicago, IL.
• Sports Station of the Year: WXYT-FM, Detroit, MI.

The awards truly reflect the diverse and dynamic landscape of radio today, showcasing how local stations continue to be the heartbeat of their communities, delivering essential news, entertaining content, and crucial public service.

Why These Wins Matter for Listeners and Local Communities

These Marconi Awards aren't just about trophies and bragging rights for the stations; they represent a deep commitment to quality, community engagement, and the power of radio. When a station like WMMR gets recognized for its legendary status and a show like Preston & Steve for its personality, it means they're consistently delivering content that listeners love and connect with.

For 93.7 The Fan, their win underlines the importance of local sports commentary and the role radio plays in uniting fans. And stations like WBAL-AM in Baltimore, honored for their news and talk, demonstrate how critical radio remains for timely, trustworthy information and a platform for local voices, especially during challenging times.

It's a reminder that even in an age of podcasts and streaming, the human connection, local focus, and immediate impact of radio continue to make it an indispensable part of our daily lives. So next time you tune in, remember there's a dedicated team working hard to bring you the best, and sometimes, they even get an "Oscar" for it!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Marconi Radio Awards

When and where were the 2025 Marconi Radio Awards held?

The 2025 NAB Marconi Radio Awards took place on Tuesday night, October 21st, 2025, at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. The ceremony was held just before the NAB Show New York.

Who hosts the Marconi Radio Awards?

The 2025 Marconi Radio Awards were hosted by Danielle Monaro and Medha Gandhi, co-hosts of iHeartMedia's "Elvis Duran and the Morning Show." DJ Scratch served as the house DJ for the event.

What are the Marconi Radio Awards and who presents them?

Established in 1989 and named after inventor Guglielmo Marconi, the Marconi Radio Awards are presented annually by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to recognize excellence and outstanding performance in radio stations and on-air personalities across the United States.

How many Marconi Awards did WMMR Philadelphia win in 2025?

WMMR-FM Philadelphia won three Marconi Awards in 2025: Legendary Station of the Year, Major Market Station of the Year, and Major Market Personality of the Year (for "Preston & Steve"). This was an unprecedented "hat-trick" for the station.

Sources:

• Patch.com - "Pittsburgh Radio Station Wins Award As Nation's Best" (Eric Heyl, Oct 22, 2025)
• Insideradio.com - "WMMR Philadelphia Rocks Marconi Hat-Trick; KDKA Pittsburgh Wins Large Market Station" (Oct 22, 2025)
• 937thefan.radio.com - "93.7 The Fan Named Large Market Station of the Year at 2025 NAB Marconi Radio Awards" (Oct 22, 2025)
• WBAL.com - "WBAL NewsRadio named News/Talk Station of the Year by the National Association of Broadcasters" (Oct 22, 2025)
• WMMR.com - "93.3 WMMR Makes History at the National Marconi Radio Award Show" (Marisa Magnatta, Oct 22, 2025)
• NAB.org (implied from multiple sources referencing NAB Marconi Awards)
• BarrettMedia.com - "The Strategy WHIO Radio Used to Earn Both Local Hosts Marconi Radio Award Nominations" (Garrett Searight, Oct 20, 2025)
• CountryInsider.com - "KYGO Denver Wins Country Station of the Year at Marconi Awards" (Oct 22, 2025)