Who runs Cumulus Media? Talk-radio threatens to fire its conservative hosts if they discuss election fraud
While tensions are still running high in Washington after the recent riot, it looks like damage control is currently underway and not just at the Capitol alone. Cumulus Media, which is popular for its right-leaning radio talk shows, has informed all its on-air radio hosts and personalities to stop implying that the elections were rigged or stolen from President Donald Trump. If they continue to do so, they can face termination.
This sudden change of direction with regard to content comes in light of the recent attacks, seeing that up until now, the broadcasting house seemed to support this alleged notion. The notice was issued on January 6, when the attacks took place.
An internal memo was also shared by executive vice president of content Brian Philips where he stated: “We need to help induce national calm NOW.” As reported by Inside Music Media. It also mentioned that if anyone were to "transgress this policy, you can expect to separate from the company immediately".
Cumulus Media is the second-largest radio station operator in the US. It owns and operates 445 stations in 90 markets. The broadcasting media house was established in August 1998 by Lewis Dickey Jr, a radio consultant, and Richard Weening, a technology entrepreneur. Dickey was the radio expert and Weening was the corporate finance and start-up CEO, and seeing that relaxed media ownership restrictions allowed a single owner to possess or control an unprecedented number of radio stations per market and nationwide, the two went on to acquire and operate radio stations in mid-size markets. After a sizeable investment of $50M from the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Cumulus began full-scale operations on May 22, 1997.
Following another $50M investment from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and $25M from NationsBank Capital Corporation, Dickey and Weening went about acquiring more radio stations, in order to rapidly expand. Within a year, they had over 100 stations in 31 markets. Cumulus hoped to compete with newspapers and offered advertisers a range of target demographic choices. Through their vast network of stations, Cumulus began offering advertisers an audience range similar to newspapers, allowing them to tap into large scale local advertising. The company went on to be publicly traded and appointed a board of members. However, the dot com bubble didn't go well for the company seeing that there was a change of guard and that the company also filed for bankruptcy.
The company's current president and CEO is Mary Berner. Berner served on the company board prior to being elected. Her former roles include serving as the president and chief executive officer of MPA — The Association of Magazine Media, and the chief executive officer of Reader’s Digest Association.
