Cumulus Media Expands Afternoon Drive Lineup with Bongino-Farash Show
Event summary
- Cumulus Media's Westwood One launches 'The Bongino Report PM' nationwide on August 24, 2026.
- The three-hour weekday program airs 3:00 PM–6:00 PM ET, featuring Dan Bongino and Shawn Farash.
- Show combines live audience interaction with political and cultural analysis.
- Expands Westwood One's spoken-word programming lineup for afternoon drive time.
The big picture
Cumulus Media is doubling down on spoken-word programming to capture afternoon drive audiences, a strategic move as radio competes with digital media for ad revenue. The partnership with high-profile hosts Bongino and Farash aims to attract politically engaged listeners, aligning with broader industry trends toward niche, opinion-driven content. Westwood One's expansion reflects Cumulus' focus on scaling its national audio network through premium programming.
What we're watching
- Audience Retention
- Whether the show can sustain listener engagement against established competitors like Fox News.
- Affiliate Adoption
- The pace at which radio affiliates adopt the program and its impact on Cumulus' network reach.
- Monetization Strategy
- How Cumulus leverages the show's political content for targeted advertising and sponsorship deals.