Cumulus Detroit’s 760 WJR Moves to All Local Programming in Primetime, Turning Up Access to Michigan’s Most Influential Newsmakers

DETROIT, MI – June 5, 2023 — Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) announces that its Detroit News/Talk radio station 760 WJR will kick off the next generation of Michigan’s best News/Talk on Tuesday, June 20^th, featuring a lineup of all local voices in primetime.

Highlighting the changes, 760 WJR’s legendary morning host, Paul W. Smith will move to the newly created Noon-2:00pm timeslot, as host of “Focus.” Smith replaces the syndicated Dan Bongino Show and ascends to the post long held on 760 WJR by the late Rush Limbaugh. In the process, 760 WJR will expand the community’s access to Michigan’s most influential political, civic, and business newsmakers.

Paul W. Smith joined 760 WJR in the early 1980’s, working weekends and filling in for his predecessor, JP McCarthy, eventually taking over the Noon hour “Focus” show on 760 WJR. Shortly after McCarthy’s death in 1996, Paul W. was selected as the permanent host of the WJR morning show. Since then, “Michigan’s Anchorman” has broadcast his show from around the world and hosted everyone from Presidents, CEOs, and entertainers to next-door neighbors.

760 WJR’s Guy Gordon will move to mornings from his current position in the early afternoon timeslot, as the host of “JR Morning” from 6:00am-9:00am. 9:00am-Noon is “All Talk” with Tom Jordan and Kevin Dietz and “Focus” from Noon-2:00pm with Paul W. Smith. Next will be the newly created “JR Afternoon” Show with host Chris Renwick from 2:00pm-4:00pm, followed by WJR’s Mitch Albom, host of “The Mitch Albom Show” from 4:00pm-6:00pm. To cap the day’s all-local primetime lineup, 760 WJR is bringing back “SportsWrap” with host Sean Baligian from 6:00pm-7:00pm.

Steve Finateri, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Detroit, said: “Launching the Focus show will give Paul W. Smith the opportunity to expand, on and off the air, his unmatched relationships with Michigan’s most influential newsmakers, for the benefit of our audience and our advertising partners. WJR is The Great Voice of the Great Lakes and going 100% local is a big win for all Michiganders who count on WJR to inform and educate us about everything happening here in our state!”

Mike Wheeler, Program Director, 760 WJR, said: “What a lineup! Each of our talent is a brand unto themself and have a unique vision and take on the events that shape the news. We are absolutely living up to our claim that WJR is where Michigan comes to talk.”

760 WJR was recently named the official radio broadcast and play-by-play partner of the Michigan Panthers for the 2023 season. Branded as “Michigan Panthers Football on 760 WJR,” the station’s dedicated Panthers coverage will include live on-air and streaming broadcasts of the team’s home games from Ford Field, as well as away games.

For more information or to stream 760 WJR, visit: https://www.wjr.com/.

About Cumulus Media

Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) is an audio-first media company delivering premium content to over a quarter billion people every month — wherever and whenever they want it. Cumulus Media engages listeners with high-quality local programming through 404 owned-and-operated radio stations across 85 markets; delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, CNN, the AP, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and many other world-class partners across more than 9,400 affiliated stations through Westwood One, the largest audio network in America; and inspires listeners through the Cumulus Podcast Network, its rapidly growing network of original podcasts that are smart, entertaining and thought-provoking. Cumulus Media provides advertisers with personal connections, local impact and national reach through broadcast and on-demand digital, mobile, social, and voice-activated platforms, as well as integrated digital marketing services, powerful influencers, full-service audio solutions, industry-leading research and insights, and live event experiences. Cumulus Media is the only audio media company to provide marketers with local and national advertising performance guarantees. For more information visit www.cumulusmedia.com.

Contact: Lisa Dollinger, Dollinger Strategic Communication for Cumulus Media, 512.633.4084, lisa@dollcomm.com.