Nick Cannon Returns To Nationally Syndicated Show Ahead of ‘Power’ Restoration

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In mid-July, Nick Cannon, who rose to fame on Season Five of Nickelodeon’s kids sketch comedy show All That in the late 1990s and today is a widely known multimedia star, stepped away from his daily radio program after making statements judged as anti-Semitic on his podcast.


Skyview Networks, as well as Power 106 in L.A., and a big fall syndicated TV show were all impacted.

Now, with the controversy faded from public consciousness, Cannon is returning to his syndicated program — but not just yet at his flagship FM.

Cannon announced early Tuesday (9/8) that he will immediately resume hosting Nick Cannon Radio after taking time away for a period of reflection, dialogue and study with some of America’s most notable Jewish community leaders and representatives.

During his hiatus, syndicator Skyview said, Cannon worked to “deepen his understanding of the issues long troubling the Black and Jewish communities, and pledged from this point forward to be a leading voice and advocate for positive change, greater understanding and unity.”

In a statement, Cannon said, “I’m extremely blessed and humbled, and have an incredibly meaningful opportunity to use my public platform to spread love, positivity and understanding. I’ve come away these past few weeks with a much broader perspective on the Jewish plight throughout history, some lifelong friendships, and a newfound purpose for uniting the Black and Jewish communities of all generations to combat the systemic racism and injustices that continue to plague our world today. My work has just begun, and I look forward to continuing my journey toward further enlightenment.”

Among the members of the clergy who have consulted with Cannon is Rabbi Noam E Marans, the Teaneck, N.J.-based Director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations at the American Jewish Committee (AJC).

“I welcome Nick Cannon as a new friend,” said the rabbi. “We will learn from one another and open the window to go beyond that which originally brought us together, seizing this opportunity to expand the conversation to the two-way street of Black-Jewish relations.”

Affiliates of the syndicated radio program also voiced their support for the host, who had delivered strong ratings ahead of his sabbatical.

In its first rating period, Nick Cannon Radio was No. 1 with adults 18-49 and with women 18-34 at Alpha Media-owned WGZB “B96” in Louisville.

Armand “DJ Q” Flowers, the station’s Program Director, said, “Nick Cannon has taken some valuable time to heal through thorough research and education. Louisville is proud to have him on the airwaves, using his voice and platform to seek justice and equality in this historic time of our country! He is an excellent example of perseverance, and his true goal is to unite us all.”

Upcoming episodes of Nick Cannon Radio are slated to feature interviews with Kanye West and Common.

Meanwhile, the three-hour weekend program hosted by Cannon — Cannon’s Countdown — is resuming with fresh episodes for the weekend of Sept. 13. Skyview Networks oversees production, affiliation and advertising sales.

What’s missing from the resumption of hosting Nick Cannon Radio is his on-air return to Meruelo Media‘s KPWR-FM “Power 106” in L.A., the show’s flagship station. While it is certain that he’ll be back, an official relaunch date was not disclosed by Skyview.

Cannon’s return to his radio duties comes as he is in pre-production as host of the upcoming season of the hit Fox reality series The Masked Singer, set to premiere its fourth season on September 23.

However, there’s no word from ViacomCBS regarding Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out. The company nixed the program after some 15 seasons following the controversial remarks on Cannon’s podcast. It had aired on VH1 since summer 2019 and prior to that was on MTV. The dismissal was a sudden and unexpected end to a relationship that spanned two decades, and spurred a career in radio. From 2010-2012, he hosted the morning show on a now-defunct Top 40 station in New York that is today WNYL-FM “Alt 92.3.”

On Monday, June 17, 2019, he returned to hosting a daily radio program, at Power 106. By then, Cannon’s star power had grown even bigger than his days at the old CBS Radio station known as “92.3 NOW.” He’d been the emcee of NBC’s America’s Got Talent since 2013.

Meanwhile, one of the two hottest programs discussed at NATPE Miami in January is being held for one year. As of April, the Nick Cannon daily syndicated talk show offered to broadcast TV affiliates by Debmar-Mercury had been locked in by so many stations, that 90% nationwide coverage could be confirmed. 

A Sept. 21 program debut date had been announced. Coverage in all of the Top 20 markets and 29 of the top 30 markets — a huge achievement — had been seen. On July 17, Lionsgate and Debmar-Mercury confirmed to RBR+TVBR that moving forward this autumn with Nick Cannon was not a wise move, given the furor surrounding his commentary with Professor Griff that referenced Jewish stereotypes regarding finance and power.

Stations owned by FOX, CBS, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Hearst Television, Nexstar Media Group (and stations it operates licensed to Mission), Cox Media Group, Meredith Corp., TEGNA, Capitol Broadcasting Corp. in Raleigh, Gray Television and Sunbeam Television (WHDH-7 in Boston and WSVN-7 in Miami) had committed to the show.

 

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