Urban One Bets Big on Rickey Smiley in Major Digital Pivot

SILVER SPRING, Md. – March 12, 2026 – Urban One, the nation's largest diversified media company targeting Black Americans, is making a significant move to fortify its digital future, placing a multi-year bet on one of its most valuable assets: Rickey Smiley. The company announced a major expansion of its partnership with the Marconi Award-winning radio host, which includes a five-year renewal of his top-rated, nationally syndicated "The Rickey Smiley Morning Show" and the launch of a new video podcast, "Rickey Smiley On The Spot."

The deal signals more than just a renewed contract; it represents a cornerstone of Urban One's aggressive "video-first" strategy, aiming to bridge its legacy broadcast dominance with the high-growth potential of digital, on-demand content. The new video podcast is set to premiere on March 24 on the Urban One Podcast Network.

A Strategic Leap into a Video-First Future

This expansion with Smiley is the most visible manifestation yet of Urban One's broader corporate pivot. Facing the same headwinds as other traditional media giants—including advertising cyclicality and shifting consumer habits toward streaming—the company is strategically reallocating resources to build a robust digital ecosystem. While recent financial quarters have shown revenue contractions in its digital and traditional segments, Urban One's leadership is doubling down on a strategy that transforms its established broadcast talent into versatile, on-demand intellectual property.

The launch of the Urban One Podcast Network in 2023 was a foundational step, created with the explicit mission to amplify Black voices through a curated slate of original shows. The "Rickey Smiley On The Spot" video podcast is a direct evolution of this initiative, moving beyond audio-only formats to embrace the more engaging and monetizable medium of video. This "video-first" approach is designed not only to capture new audiences but also to offer deeper engagement for existing fans of its radio personalities. By creating premium, culturally specific video content, Urban One aims to create a more attractive environment for brand partners, leveraging first-party data to offer addressable advertising and demonstrate a clearer return on investment, a crucial factor in a competitive ad market.

"Rickey is a cornerstone of the Urban One brand, and we are thrilled to expand his footprint with a show that captures his natural comedic rhythm in such an intimate way," said Deon Levingston, Co-President of Urban One's Audio Division, in a statement. This move is intended to "uplift Black voices but also create a premium, culturally resonant environment for our listeners and brand partners alike."

Rickey Smiley: The Enduring King of Urban Media

For over 15 years, Rickey Smiley has been a dominant force in urban radio. "The Rickey Smiley Morning Show," syndicated by Urban One's REACH Media, is a ratings powerhouse broadcast on 89 affiliate stations in key markets like Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington, D.C. This renewal solidifies his position as a pillar of the company's audio division for another five years, ensuring stability and continued reach in the traditional broadcast space.

However, the new video podcast, "Rickey Smiley On The Spot," is designed to showcase a different, more personal side of the comedian, author, and personality. Moving beyond the fast-paced morning show format, the 35-minute weekly series promises a space for "all real talk," where Smiley can blend his signature wit with heartfelt explorations of life, family, and faith. The format allows both Smiley and his guests to let their guard down, creating a long-form digital experience that feels raw and authentic.

The impressive initial guest list—including rapper and media personality Da Brat, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, gospel artist Tye Tribbett, and entrepreneur Tiny Harris—underscores the show's ambition to be a hub for meaningful conversations within the Black community. This transition from radio king to digital icon leverages Smiley's immense brand value and deep audience connection, translating the loyalty of his radio listeners into a new, visually-driven platform.

"I am so excited to continue my partnership with Urban One and Reach Media," Smiley stated. "I'm eternally grateful to Ms. Hughes, Alfred Liggins, Deon Levingston, and Colby Colb for believing in me all these years... The future is bright with the best yet to come."

Amplifying Voices in a Crowded Digital Arena

Urban One's investment in Smiley's digital expansion is also a calculated move in the increasingly competitive landscape of Black-focused podcasting. As listeners and advertisers flock to the medium, several networks have emerged to capture the attention of this valuable demographic. By building out its own podcast network with a star like Smiley at the forefront, Urban One is directly competing for market share and asserting its role as a premier destination for culturally relevant content.

The strategy is clear: leverage established, trusted personalities to draw audiences into its owned-and-operated digital platforms. This creates a powerful flywheel effect, where the massive reach of broadcast radio promotes the new digital offerings, and the deep engagement of the podcasts strengthens the overall brand loyalty. For Urban One, which reaches an estimated 80 million unique consumers monthly across its television, radio, and digital properties like Bossip and MadameNoire, this integration is key to its long-term viability.

The new show is produced by a team deeply familiar with Smiley's brand, with Smiley himself and Tiffany Ryland serving as executive producers. This ensures the content remains true to the "Authentic. Funny. Heartfelt. Honest. Original." tagline promised in its announcement. By developing premium content in-house, Urban One maintains creative control and strengthens its content library, making its network a more compelling proposition for both listeners seeking authentic stories and advertisers looking to connect with a highly engaged audience. The new podcast will be distributed widely across all major audio platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Pandora, ensuring maximum accessibility from its launch on March 24.

This strategic partnership is more than a simple contract renewal; it is a clear declaration of Urban One's vision for the future of media, one where legacy talent and digital innovation converge to create a powerful, multi-platform entertainment ecosystem.