Rush Renewal: Three More Years With Cumulus

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Rush Limbaugh

In August 2013, Cumulus Media and syndicated talk radio host Rush Limbaugh weren’t exactly on the best of terms.


Responding to media reports over the previous month, Limbaugh said on his show, “Cumulus Media was going to cancel their contract with me on 35 of their radio stations, and that was going to end my career because one of those 35 was WABC in New York … and once that happens, sayonara, I’m in everybody’s rear-view mirror.”

The only thing in Limbaugh’s rear-view mirror today is former Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey.

Limbaugh signed a three-year deal for his Premiere Networks-syndicated program to remain on most of the company’s stations, as he prepared to shift from Cumulus’ WABC-AM to iHeart’s crosstown WOR-AM, which it had just acquired.

Now, Cumulus and Limbaugh have extended the love for another three years, keeping him at what is today 33 affiliate stations owned by the nation’s second-biggest radio station owner by number of AMs and FMs.

Premiere Networks and Cumulus Media on Wednesday (12/14) renewed and extended an affiliation agreement that will keep The Rush Limbaugh Show on the stations through 2019.

“Rush is a unique and true broadcaster, and we’ve had a successful partnership for many years,” said Bob Walker, SVP/Operations and Co-Head of Cumulus’ Office of Programming.

That’s a far cry from July 2013, when D.C. political news organization Politico reported that Cumulus was reportedly planning to drop both Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity from its stations at the end of the year.

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Cumulus,” said Premiere Networks President Julie Talbott. “From continued ad sales growth and increased audience levels, to unparalleled audience connection, having an iconic talent like Rush in a station lineup drives valuable opportunities for advertisers and strategic partners.”