A report on Sunday said that conservative pundits Rush
Limbaugh and Sean Hannity will both be dropped by Cumulus Media.
Citing an industry source, Politico.com reported that the
change will go into effect by the end of 2013. Both Hannity and Limbaugh are
the two highest-rated personalities for Cumulus in its major media markets.
Talks between Cumulus and Premiere Networks–a subsidiary of
Clear Channel–broke down recently, prompting the shift, the website reported.
The source said that Clear Channel would likely not reduce
the cost over distribution rights, leading to the split, according to Politico.
“Cumulus is not in a position to comment about negotiations
with talent under contract, no matter what the rumor of the day might be,” said
a spokesperson with Cumulus.
Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey in May said that Limbaugh has hurt
his company in terms of ad sales. The drop in ad revenue came after numerous
advertisers pulled out out Limbaugh’s show after he called law student Sandra
Fluke a derogatory term.
“We’ve had a tough go of it the last year. The facts are
indisputable over the last year,” Dickey said, according to the New York DailyNews.
Hannity is a New York Times bestselling author and appears
on his own show, “Hannity,” on Fox News Channel. Limbaugh signed a contract in
2008 that would net him $400 million until 2016.
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