Dan Bongino is returning to radio with a new syndicated show from Westwood One. However, questions remain about how much of the program will air live.
What We Know: Westwood One announced Monday that The Bongino Report PM with Dan Bongino and Shawn Farash will launch as a new syndicated afternoon program. Farash will host the first hour live from 3-4 PM ET, according to the company. Bongino will then host the 4-6 PM ET portion of the show. However, the company didn’t clarify whether Bongino’s two-hour block will air live. During the announcement on his show, Bongino suggested much of the syndicated program will feature content from his podcast. He also indicated the show will include some material created specifically for radio.
What They Said: “This show and other pieces of unique content will be back on the radio … The Dan Bongino podcast and some other content from me will be moving on to radio now.” -Dan Bongino
What Remains Unclear: Westwood One didn’t specify whether Bongino will broadcast live during the 4-6 PM ET window. After speaking with several sources, none confirmed or denied that Bongino will be live during his portion of the program. As a result, it’s unclear whether the network will air his podcast material during that period or package previously recorded content for the radio audience. The role of the additional radio-only material also remains undefined.
What It Means: Bongino’s return gives Westwood One another high-profile conservative voice for afternoon radio. Still, the structure could make the program different from a traditional live syndicated talk show. If Bongino primarily repurposes podcast content, affiliates could receive a hybrid program rather than a conventional live afternoon show. Meanwhile, Farash’s live 3-4 PM ET hour provides Westwood One with a clearly live component. The network will likely provide more details as the show’s launch approaches.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.