About

Background

Premiere Radio Networks Inc., a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications, syndicates 90 radio programs and services to more than 5,000 radio affiliations and reaches over 190 million listeners weekly. Premiere Radio is the number one radio network in the country and features the following personalities: Rush Limbaugh, Jim Rome, Casey Kasem, Ryan Seacrest, Glenn Beck, Bob (Kevoian) & Tom (Griswold), Delilah, Steve Harvey, Blair Garner, George Noory, John Boy and Billy, Big Tigger, Dr. Dean Edell, Bob Costas, Sean Hannity and others. Premiere is based in Sherman Oaks, California, with 13 offices nationwide.

Founded in 1987, Premiere began in Los Angeles with a $30,000 investment. Within the first year, the company produced three shows and recorded advertising billings of $2.1 million with approximately 250 affiliates. Today, Premiere produces 70 programs with annual billings in excess of $330 million.

Premiere purchased Mediabase in 1991. This research component of Premiere monitors music on more than 1,800 radio stations in 180 U.S. and Canadian markets, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to providing vital airplay information to the music industry, the company provides its research to nearly 1,700 affiliate radio stations on a barter subscription basis.

Milestones

• June, 1997 Premiere along with EFM Media, producer of The Rush Limbaugh Show and The Dr. Dean Edell Show, was purchased by Jacor Communications.
  
  
• Sept., 1997 Premiere purchased The Dr. Laura Program. Dr. Laura was also the first woman to win the Marconi award.
  
  
• June, 1998 Premiere made network radio history as the first syndication company to offer RADAR-rated networks and programming. Premiere debuted with the #1 rated network in RADAR 58. Today, the company has 17 RADAR-rated networks which frequently rank in the top groupings.
  
  
• Oct., 1998 Clear Channel announced the acquisition of Jacor Communications, producing the largest radio station group in the world.
  
  
• May, 1999 Clear Channel's acquisition of Jacor Communications transaction completed.
  
  
• Nov., 1999 Premiere purchased MJI Broadcasting Inc., a leading syndicator of radio-focused internet and interactive media components.
  
  
• Aug., 2000 Clear Channel acquired AMFM Inc. and merged the company into Premiere's operations.
  
  
• Aug., 2000 Premiere launched the FOX Sports Radio Network.
  
  
• Sept., 2001 Premiere launched The Glenn Beck Program.
  
  
• Oct., 2002 George Noory replaced Art Bell as full-time host of Coast to Coast AM.
  
  
• Jan., 2003 John Boy and Billy renewed multi-year contract with Premiere.
  
  
• May, 2004 Premiere acquired the distribution rights of the Delilah radio program.
  
  
• June, 2005 Premiere launched Fox News Radio Network, an exclusive RADAR-rated news network.
  
  
• July, 2005 Premiere exclusively brought worldwide "Live 8" concert, live to U.S. terrestrial radio stations.
  
  
• Sept., 2005 Rush Limbaugh won fourth Marconi Award. (1992, 1995, 2000)
  
  
• Sept., 2005 Premiere launched The Steve Harvey Morning Show.
  
  
• May, 2006 Blair Garner won Academy of Country Music Award for "National On-Air Personality of the Year."
  
  
• July, 2006 Jim Rome renewed multi-year contract with Premiere Radio Networks.
  
  
• Aug., 2006 Mediabase began publishing music charts in USA Today.
  
  
• Sept., 2006 Premiere launched the two-hour weekend show, Costas on the Radio.
  
  
• Sept., 2006 Bob and Tom won fifth Marconi Award. (1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2006)
  
  
• Feb., 2007 American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest hit milestone of 400 radio stations worldwide.
  
  
• Feb., 2007 The Keith Sweat Hotel debuted in national syndication.
  
  
• July, 2007 Dawson McAllister Live debuted in national syndication.
  
  
• Nov., 2007 Glenn Beck renewed long-term deal with Premiere Radio Networks.
  
  
• Jan., 2008 George Noory renewed long-term deal with Premiere Radio Networks.
  
  
• Feb., 2008 Premiere announced June launch of On Air with Ryan Seacrest and renewal of his contract to host American Top 40.
  
  
• May 2008 The Jesus Christ Show launched into national syndication.
  
  
• July, 2008 Rush Limbaugh renewed record-setting multi-million dollar contract with Premiere.
  
  
• July, 2008 Sean Hannity entered long-term co-syndication deal with Premiere Radio and ABC Radio Networks, effective Dec. 28, 2008.
  
  
• July 2008 Bob and Tom renewed long-term contract with Premiere and announce their upcoming debut in television.
  
  
• Sept., 2008 Glenn Beck won Marconi Award for Network/Syndicated Personality of the year.