Posted on 08/16/2013 6:35:17 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Worth a mention, because the buzz on this negotiation was that Cumulus was looking to dump Sean Hannity, not the other way around. To say that there may be bad blood in play is putting it mildly, although nothing official has been announced yet:
Conservative radio superstar Sean Hannity has reportedly fired Cumulus Media, telling the network that he definitely won’t be re-signing when his contract expires.
The way Cumulus treats its employees is, apparently, one reason Hannity is leaving is Cumulus. The company treats its employees “like dirt,” sources tell Inside Music Media, to which Talkers magazine attributes a Hannity quote:
“Hannity is fed up with the Dickey Brothers and the alleged bullying culture of Cumulus Media saying privately, ’The Dickey Brothers are the single worst operators in the history of radio.’”
Last night, Dylan Byers reported that a split was likely, but wisely cautioned readers to wait for the press releases:
In the latest plot-twist in negotiations over rights to Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity’s radio programs, Cumulus now looks set to drop its affiliation with Hannity entirely while re-upping its deal with Limbaugh in virtually all markets, according to sources familiar with the contract negotiations.
POLITICO learned of the plans on Thursday night when Cumulus-syndicated radio host Michael Savage told his listeners that he anticipated taking over Hannity’s time slot later this year on Cumulus stations. …
Limbaugh and Hannity are the number-one and number-two ranked talk radio hosts in the country, respectively. To date, Cumulus carries each Limbaugh and Hannity’s shows on more than 40 stations around the country, with some overlap in certain markets.
And a cautionary note: Until you read the press release, these deals remain fluid. In late July, Cumulus was set to drop both hosts; two days later both negotiations were back on the table. What you’re reading is where things stand as of the timestamp.
Bear that last part in mind when considering how this was getting spun until this afternoon. Some assumed Cumulus wanted to dump Hannity, supposedly over falling ad revenue. Instead, it looks like both sides played hardball — and according to Inside Music Media, Clear Channel may be poised to scoop up Hannity and eat Cumulus’ lunch. Or heck, Cumulus may end up coughing up a better bid, too.
Right now, it might be best to follow Byers’ advice and wait for the press releases, or at least a scorecard.
And his freakin Nerf football.
Hannity long since jumped the shark.
I’m really starting to wonder about Rush myself. It’s one thing to repeat something so it sinks in for the listener, but the past couple of months he’ll scream the same phrase ten or fifteen times in a couple of minutes.
Hannity is syndicated by Premiere Radio, which is a branch of Clear Channel. Clear Channel and Cumulus are #1 and #2 in the radio business, respectively, and they’re archrivals.
Cumulus owns Sean’s flagship, WABC, and Clear Channel owns rival WOR. Cumulus has about 40 stations that carry Hannity. The issue is whether they will continue to do so or find alternate programming.
In DC, they dumped their 24-year local FM morning host (11th in the market) and replaced him with a show they syndicate out of Atlanta, which is tacky and appears to be designed for frat boys. They dropped from 11th in the timeslot to 16th virtually overnight.
Nothing good can come of working for total jerks. When you find yourself in that situation, leave.
Yes..probably too much sex with Marta and too much fame going to his head. Happens to the best if not perfectly centered.
The GOP water carrier is having some problems. About time! I haven’t been able to listen to his BS propaganda for years.
Same thing happened in Dallas with a 20 year plus morning guy.
I wasn’t a huge fan of his and seldom listened to him, but it seemed odd. He had pretty good ratings.
Is it small wonder why Sean Hannity is leaving Cumulus? He will likely join Clear Channel's Premiere Radio Networks, who still has Rush Limbaugh (the #1 talk show in daytime) and Coast to Coast AM (the #1 talk show overnight), both major moneymakers.
If Savage does get that time slot, they'll be looking for a replacement within months due to the ratings collapse. Hannity is at least listenable. Savage is not.
In DFW, Cumulus failed to renew the contract of Mark Davis at WBAP, which brought in Ben Ferguson as a replacement. Nothing against Ben Ferguson, but he would have to live another 100 lifetimes to become one-half the broadcaster Mark Davis is. Davis moved over to KSKY and is now brutally pummeling his replacement. It’s not even close to being a fair fight. The Dickey Bros. win the booby prize yet again!
True enough.
I guess that’s why I haven’t heard Davis in Rush’s fill-in lineup lately.
If he ever did lose his radio show, I'm sure The Architect could get him a lucrative gig fleecing unsuspecting Republican donors out of their $10 and $20 donations in upcoming elections.
And I am thankful to be able to set the Hannity thread up. :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.