Urban One Extends Rickey Smiley Partnership with New Video Podcast Series
Event summary
- Urban One secures a five-year renewal of the nationally syndicated 'The Rickey Smiley Morning Show'
- Launching 'Rickey Smiley On The Spot' video podcast series on March 24, 2026
- Smiley's show distributed across 89 affiliate stations in key markets
- Urban One targets 80 million unique consumers monthly across its multimedia platforms
The big picture
Urban One's multi-year expansion with Rickey Smiley underscores the company's strategic shift towards digital innovation, bridging traditional broadcast with high-growth video content. This move aligns with broader industry trends of media companies leveraging multimedia ecosystems to capture younger, digitally native audiences. The partnership renewal and new podcast series position Urban One to strengthen its cultural resonance and premium advertising environment.
What we're watching
- Content Strategy
- How Urban One's video-first pivot will impact audience engagement and monetization
- Market Penetration
- Whether the new video podcast can sustain the morning show's 15-year legacy of top-tier ratings
- Competitive Dynamics
- The pace at which Urban One can scale Smiley's digital presence against competitors
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