Politics

Hannity fires Cumulus

Jeff Poor Media Reporter
Font Size:

In the months-long public negotiations between Cumulus and conservative radio talkers Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, it was Hannity who finally signaled, “Take this job and shove it.”

On Friday, sources close to the No. 2 radio talk show and Fox News Channel host made it public that he would not renew his contract with Cumulus to have his show aired throughout the country on their 40 stations.

Hannity’s announcement beats Cumulus to the punch. Reports have surfaced in the last few days that Michael Savage would be taking the coveted 3 p.m. ET slot, which follows Rush Limbaugh’s top-rated radio program, on those Cumulus stations.

Savage, who currently holds down a 9 p.m.-midnight time slot on Cumulus, had been making statements indicating he would likely be the guy to replace Hannity.

A story published Friday by Jerry del Colliano’s Inside Music Media reveals Hannity had a very low regard for Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey and COO John Dickey. Hannity was quoted by an anonymous source berating the two.

“The Dickeys are the single worst operators in the history of radio,” Hannity said, according to del Colliano’s report. “They have destroyed legendary stations like KGO and KSFO. They are currently in the process of destroying WLS, WABC, WJR, WBAP and WMAL.”

Follow Jeff on Twitter