iHeartMedia’s Tanner, Laura & Casey morning show expands to five major markets. The Portland-based program debuts this week on iHeartMedia Classic Rock stations.
What We Know The morning show features Chad ‘Tanner’ Haney, Laura Hall, and Casey ‘Beefwater’ Bay. iHeartMedia now adds the program to KZOK Seattle, WLLZ Detroit, WRFX Charlotte, KAAZ Salt Lake City, and WTZB Sarasota. The current format debuted last September following Drew Tydeman’s departure. Meanwhile, iHeartMedia elevated Casey to full co-host status while he retained his Portland promotions director role.
What’s at Stake The rollout demonstrates iHeartMedia’s confidence in this morning show concept. Josh Innes moves to nights in Detroit after previously hosting mornings there. Additionally, the expansion validates the programming direction established since Laura joined in 2021. Furthermore, the national launch represents a significant talent development opportunity for Casey Bay.
What Remains Unclear iHeartMedia hasn’t announced whether additional markets will receive the program soon. The company also hasn’t disclosed Casey’s specific workload management strategy going forward. Finally, details remain absent regarding the long-term syndication model for the show.
What It Means The show’s success in Portland clearly warrants this network expansion strategy. This move signals that iHeartMedia sees value in established morning personalities nationwide. Ultimately, the rollout could reshape morning show strategy across the entire Classic Rock format.
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David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.