Awful Announcing

Awful Announcing’s 2026 MLB local broadcaster rankings

We asked you to grade the 2026 local MLB announcers and, 85,000 individual votes later, we have our rankings from No. 30 to No. 1!

Winning or at least competing solved a lot of problems...

Benetti in Top Ten...not quite as divisive as Don Orsillo getting pushed out in Boston.

"This is a solid step up for a White Sox broadcast that was much maligned last season in the wake of Jason Benetti’s departure. Schriffen still faces significant skepticism from viewers and received some harsh feedback about an “over-the-top” and “unnatural” style. Multiple viewers shared the sentiment that he “tries too hard to try and make you forget Jason Benetti.” The “legendary” Stone is the broadcast’s primary saving grace, with fans saying that he is “one of the best in the business” and “moves this up a full grade” thanks to his sharp pitching insights. Some graders acknowledge that Schriffen has improved somewhat as the team performs better, but many still find his catchphrases “grating.” Overall, the shadow of Benetti’s departure continues to heavily color fan perception, but it’s worth noting that their grades did improve this year."

Edited 13 hours ago13 hr by caulfield12

I wonder what the TV ratings are for the White Sox this year.

46 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

I wonder what the TV ratings are for the White Sox this year.

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast, Chicago Sports Network President Mike McCarthy breaks down to SBJ’s Austin Karp what is one of the biggest audience success stories in sports media. He reveals how White Sox viewership doubled, why out-of-market audiences surged 252%, and how distribution, streaming, and team success combined to create a ratings boom.

(Earlier in the season for Cubs/Sox at home almost doubled Marquee households 200,000 to 112,000.)

Edited 7 hours ago7 hr by caulfield12

5 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Awful Announcing

Awful Announcing’s 2026 MLB local broadcaster rankings

We asked you to grade the 2026 local MLB announcers and, 85,000 individual votes later, we have our rankings from No. 30 to No. 1!

"The “legendary” Stone is the broadcast’s primary saving grace, with fans saying that he is “one of the best in the business” and “moves this up a full grade” thanks to his sharp pitching insights. "

I don't post much since I have dementia, but I wanted to say that I've been a big Steve Stone fan since I first heard him during his days as color guy for Monday Night Baseball back in the early 80's . he's slowed and lost a step or two, but he's still very good at explaining the game.

6 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast, Chicago Sports Network President Mike McCarthy breaks down to SBJ’s Austin Karp what is one of the biggest audience success stories in sports media. He reveals how White Sox viewership doubled, why out-of-market audiences surged 252%, and how distribution, streaming, and team success combined to create a ratings boom.

(Earlier in the season for Cubs/Sox at home almost doubled Marquee households 200,000 to 112,000.)

The Sun Times reported a few weeks back that CHSN and Marquee were in talks to merge the 2 stations. I believe that is a possibility. Once the Cubs baseball season is over Marquee has nothing on their station that interests most people.

6 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast, Chicago Sports Network President Mike McCarthy breaks down to SBJ’s Austin Karp what is one of the biggest audience success stories in sports media. He reveals how White Sox viewership doubled, why out-of-market audiences surged 252%, and how distribution, streaming, and team success combined to create a ratings boom.

(Earlier in the season for Cubs/Sox at home almost doubled Marquee households 200,000 to 112,000.)

Part of this was due to the CHSN broadcast for all 3 games being simulcast on free TV (WCIU).

10 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Awful Announcing

Awful Announcing’s 2026 MLB local broadcaster rankings

We asked you to grade the 2026 local MLB announcers and, 85,000 individual votes later, we have our rankings from No. 30 to No. 1!

Winning or at least competing solved a lot of problems...

Benetti in Top Ten...not quite as divisive as Don Orsillo getting pushed out in Boston.

"This is a solid step up for a White Sox broadcast that was much maligned last season in the wake of Jason Benetti’s departure. Schriffen still faces significant skepticism from viewers and received some harsh feedback about an “over-the-top” and “unnatural” style. Multiple viewers shared the sentiment that he “tries too hard to try and make you forget Jason Benetti.” The “legendary” Stone is the broadcast’s primary saving grace, with fans saying that he is “one of the best in the business” and “moves this up a full grade” thanks to his sharp pitching insights. Some graders acknowledge that Schriffen has improved somewhat as the team performs better, but many still find his catchphrases “grating.” Overall, the shadow of Benetti’s departure continues to heavily color fan perception, but it’s worth noting that their grades did improve this year."

Schriffen is a lot better when the team is winning. Don't get me wrong, he is still bad. But being bad with nothing to get excited about made him so much worse. I kind of feel bad for him given how bad the team was in his first season. It really didn't fit his broadcasting style at all.

Who they have 1 and 2 should be 29 and 30.
Kuiper and Kenepper are more overrated than Benetti.