Premiere Networks To Continue Airing Rush Clips With Guest Hosts

The replacement for Rush Limbaugh is... Rush Limbaugh, at least in part, The Associated Press reports.

Premiere Networks, the company that syndicated Limbaugh’s afternoon program to some 600 radio stations across the country, said Monday that it would continue airing a series of guest hosts that play archival audio footage of the late personality. Limbaugh died of cancer on Feb. 17.

“No one can replace Rush Limbaugh, and Premiere Networks will continue to provide millions of loyal listeners with the voice of Rush for the long term,” said Rachel Nelson, company spokeswoman.

Through Limbaugh’s absence for cancer treatments and since his death, the show has had guest hosts like Todd Herman, Ken Matthews and Brett Winterble, who guide listeners through clips of Limbaugh talking on various issues.

The announcement indicates there has been no serious erosion in listeners for the program in Limbaugh’s physical absence, said Michael Harrison, publisher of the trade publication Talkers magazine.

There will almost certainly be an effort by competitors to siphon off some of the stations that Limbaugh held, and personalities like Dana Loesch, Dan Bongino and Erick Erickson are making those moves, Harrison said.

Meanwhile, The Rush Limbaugh Show adds a new affiliate in Jacksonville, FL. Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corporation’s WBOB AM 600/FM 101.1 has announced the addition of “The Rush Limbaugh Show,” effective immediately. The station now airs the program in the live noon to 3 p.m. ET timeslot.

“Rush Limbaugh is a pioneering force in broadcasting,” said Jonathan McClellan, General Manager, WBOB AM 600/FM 101.1 “He redefined talk radio and shaped the conservative political message for our country. WBOB is excited to add Rush’s program to our lineup. We value the future of his legacy, and we believe his talented team will drive the momentum of the movement far into the future. We welcome this monumental voice.”

Rush Limbaugh launched his phenomenally successful radio broadcast into national syndication on August 1, 1988, with 56 radio stations. More than 30 years later, it’s heard on more than 600 stations by millions of people each week and is the highest rated national radio talk show in America.