Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity may lose 40-channel Cumulus deal

[hagjohn]

July 29, 2013 - Cumulus Media, the second-largest broadcast company in the nation, is poised to drop Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity from its stations before the close of 2013, an industry source said.

 

The move would take the No. 1 and No. 2 talk show hosts off 40 channels in some of the nation?s biggest markets, Politico reported.

 

The unnamed source said the decision is due to a breakdown in negotiations between Cumulus and Premiere Networks, the Clear Channel division that distributes the talk show hosts? shows. The dispute centered on distribution rights, Politico reported. In short, Clear Channel wants top dollar for the two shows, and Cumulus wants to cut costs.

 

The two sides have on prior occasions very nearly cut business ties ? only to reach last-minute deals, the source said. But in this case, a resolution wasn?t likely. The source said Clear Channel wasn?t going to give in and reduce rates to a level that would satisfy Cumulus demands, Politico reported.

 

Cumulus said only that it was ?not in a position to comment about negotiations with talent under contract, no matter what the rumor of the day might be,? Politico reported.

 

But the company has been in quiet talks with other talent to fill slots, Politico reported. Some of the talent reportedly tapped: Michael Savage, Mark Levin and Mike Huckabee.

 

Premiere officials did not comment for the report, either. But the impact to Mr. Limbaugh and Mr. Hannity would be minimal, an industry analyst said, Newser reported. That?s because they?d likely just move to Clear Channel markets, for the same or even greater rate.

Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jul/29/rush-limbaugh-sean-hannity-may-lose-40-channel-######/#ixzz2aTqEeuK4

[John S. Veteran]

 

I'm Not Going Anywhere, Folks

 

July 29, 2013

 

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT

RUSH: I want to get something out of the way here at the top. There was another Politico story that ran last night about this program and the radio stations that it is on, and is going to be on, in the future. And someday, someday I am looking so forward to being able to detail all of this for you, but suffice it to say nothing is gonna happen that you will notice. Nothing is going to change.

 

 

You are gonna be able to get this radio program on as many, if not more, radio stations down the road than it's on now, and what you're being treated to is just a public business negotiation. Negotiations have been taken public by one side of this. I thought it was done. I thought it was over with. And, folks, I would love... I mean, I love inside baseball stuff, and I would love to pass this on, but I must use proper business restraint here.

 

But I just want to assure you, everything's cool, and, as always, what's on the table for this program is growth.

END TRANSCRIPT

 

 

[Ph1b3r0pt1c]

Well, came close to finally shutting him up.

[PGHammer]

Well, came close to finally shutting him up.

Actually, this is not the only issue involving Cumulus and programming; Cumulus gave left-leaning show host Michael Baisden the boot earlier this year.

 

(No; AFAIK none of the same stations aired both Baisden and Rush and/or Sean Hannity.  Nor do I know any station that swapped Baisden for Rush and/or Sean Hannitty.)

[Growled Member]

Rush ain't going anywhere. :D

[Hum]

^ With his millions, Rush should be able to produce his own radio show, buy his own radio station, and syndicate it himself.

[spenser.d]

^ With his millions, Rush should be able to produce his own radio show, buy his own radio station, and syndicate it himself.

 

Let's hope not.

[Tews]

^ With his millions, Rush should be able to produce his own radio show, buy his own radio station, and syndicate it himself.

 

Glen Beck did this with The Blaze, and is doing quite well...

[Growled Member]

^ With his millions, Rush should be able to produce his own radio show, buy his own radio station, and syndicate it himself.

That's what I was thinking too.