Cumulus Media’s Westwood One and Jim Rome have announced a new exclusive partnership to syndicate and distribute The Jim Rome Show. Rome announced the plans during the opening of Monday’s program. Rome will move from his longtime slot of 12p-3p ET to 3p-6p ET as part of the changes. The shift goes into effect starting on January 6, 2025.
Rome told Barrett Media in an email, “Westwood One is a legacy brand and one of the industry leaders in creating, broadcasting and delivering sports content, while maintaining broadcast rights to some of the most coveted properties in all of sports. On top of that, Westwood One has been affiliating my program on radio stations for more than a decade, as well as creating relationships with advertisers and brands in the sale of our commercial time. “Additionally, I consider Collin Jones, Bruce Gilbert and Brandon Berman among the elite performers in our space and am thrilled to be able to continue to partner with them for the years ahead.”
“Jim Rome is a natural addition to Westwood One’s powerful portfolio of sports programming. His unique voice, unparalleled sports insight, and dynamic style have cultivated a dedicated audience that we look forward to welcoming,” said Collin Jones, President, Westwood One in a release. “Additionally, this partnership marks an exciting chapter for Westwood One, as we continue to deliver top-tier content for our audiences and our advertising partners.”
Rome, 60, has been one of the top voices and personalities in the sports talk business for more than three decades and is showing no signs of slowing down. This year, Rome moved his show to X with a live three-hour simulcast. He also launched his FAST Channel, which is now available across seven major platforms, including Amazon Freevee (also accessible through Prime Video and Fire TV), DIRECTV, LG Channels, Plex, Samsung TV Plus, Sling Freestream, and VIZIO WatchFree+.
“I firmly believe that no one understands and supports the vision that I have for taking the show and this brand into the next decade the way Westwood One does and that they are deeply committed to a shared vision,” Rome said. “We all love the business, have tremendous gratitude to be in it, and we’re all here to grind, deliver and win.”
Regarding the timeslot change, Rome added, “It’s pretty hard to fathom that I have been in the same time slot for the last 30 years! I’m extremely proud of my radio roots and what I have accomplished in my career, but the one thing that I’ve never done, but always wanted to do, is host a show in Drive Time. And now I have that opportunity.
“Program Directors are getting a known brand and commodity and a host who is not looking to slow down but double down. This chip on my shoulder is bigger now than ever before. I have never been more motivated to prove that my best work is actually in front of me and not behind me. It’s a mission. A lifestyle. A legacy. And I do still have something to prove to everyone who believes in me, and I am hungry to take on and attack this challenge. Any program director who carries this show is getting an extremely motivated host who is looking to win in this space and create kickass content every single day. Just give me the opportunity.”
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