Fox News Channel's Talk Show Host Sean Hannity Signs Long-Term Contract With ABC Radio Networks; Hannity's Top Afternoon Drive Show on WABC Will Be Syndicated Nationwide

Business Wire, August 29, 2001

Business Editors

DALLAS & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 29, 2001

ABC Radio Networks has completed an agreement to bring New York's top talk radio host Sean Hannity to a national audience.

"The Sean Hannity Show," broadcast on WABC each weekday from 3 PM to 6 PM (ET), will be syndicated across the United States starting Sept. 10, 2001.

"I am so excited about extending 'The Sean Hannity Show' to listeners across the country," said Hannity. "I can't wait to get started on great discussions with people all over America."

"We are introducing the next major talk show talent in network radio," said Traug Keller, President of ABC Radio Networks. "ABC Radio Networks has a long-standing tradition of supplying quality programming, whether it's Tom Joyner, Paul Harvey or ESPN Radio. In announcing our deal with Sean, we continue that tradition."

"Sean's incredibly gifted," said John McConnell, Senior Vice President of Programming for ABC Radio Networks. "The buzz over his syndication is terrific. We've never seen a prime time show clear in this many major markets right out of the gate, and we're delighted."

Hannity got his first commercial radio job by posting a "Job Wanted" ad in Radio & Records. He was picked up immediately by WVNN in Huntsville, Alabama. Radio station WGST brought Hannity to Atlanta, where his ratings success led to a phone call from the Fox News Channel.

Roger Ailes, Chairman and CEO of Fox News, brought Hannity to New York City in the fall of 1996 to co-host the new "Hannity and Colmes" show on the Fox News Channel. Fox News began the show in the most competitive time slot in prime time, where the show rivaled CNBC's "Geraldo" for ratings, challenged CNN's "Larry King Live" and caught the attention of WABC-AM Program Director Phil Boyce.

Hannity joined WABC in 1997. His strong political commentary has brought vast numbers of listeners, and "The Sean Hannity Show" now has a strong lead over long-time New York conservative host Bob Grant's program on WOR Radio.

"It has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me to put a guy like Sean Hannity on the air and watch him grow into one of the top talk talents in America," said WABC's program director Phil Boyce, who brought Hannity to WABC in 1997. "As Hannity's ratings have grown, so has his national reputation. I knew that something special was happening around the country when I learned that more listeners on the Internet were tuning in to Hannity than any other program on WABC, and WABC was the most streamed audio site in the world. We are thrilled to bring Sean's radio broadcast to his powerfully loyal audience nationwide."

"The Sean Hannity Show" regularly hosts discussions with America's political leadership. Recent guests have included President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, the Reverend Al Sharpton, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, numerous members of the United States Congress, members of the Bush Cabinet, and the leadership of the Republican and Democratic Committees.

This year, subscribers of Radio & Records voted Hannity "Talk Personality of the Year" in 2001. He was also named "Best Talk Show Host" by the 2000 New York Metro Air Awards.

Sean Hannity fans can continue to see him weekdays on the "Hannity & Colmes" show aired nationally by his primary employer, the Fox News Channel.

ABC Radio Networks has more than 4,600 affiliate radio stations reaching 123 million persons age 12 and older each week. ABC broadcasts six full-service News Networks, "Paul Harvey News and Comment" and "The Rest of the Story," Radio Disney, ESPN Radio, "The Tom Joyner Morning Show," "The Doug Banks Morning Show," "American Country Countdown with Bob Kingsley," 12 ABC Radio 24-hour music formats, ABC Sports, and an extensive line-up of music and talk programming.