The recently resurrected political roundtable show the McLaughlin Group will be made available to radio stations via Westwood One.
The original McLaughlin Group ran from 1982 to 2016 on a mix of commercial and public television stations hosted by John McLaughlin. Following McLaughlin’s death, the show ended production but returned in 2018 first under the auspices of Sinclair’s WJLA-TV and now via Maryland Public Television.
The show will return to national distribution in January 2020 on public television stations, but will also be made available by Westwood One as a weekly radio show debuting the weekend of December 7-8th. Westwood One will also produce the show for its podcast network starting November 1.
The new iteration is hosted by writer and commentator Tom Rogan and includes original panelists Pat Buchanan, Eleanor Clift, and Clarence Page plus a rotating fourth panelist.
CUMULUS MEDIA’s Westwood One, America’s largest audio network, has announced it will exclusively distribute and sell a new podcast and weekend radio show with The McLaughlin Group. The podcast joins Westwood One Podcast Network on November 1st, and the radio show will debut the weekend of December 7-8th.
Political writer and commentator Tom Rogan hosts the series, alongside original panel members Pat Buchanan, Eleanor Clift, and Clarence Page. A new generation of panelists will also join the group, providing much-needed conversations around politics, culture, and foreign policy issues. Listeners can expect to hear content from the TV program as well as original bonus content in both the radio show and the podcast.
Tom Rogan said, “I’m excited that we have joined the Westwood One family and will reach new audiences across the nation. Our panelists are friends who disagree, agreeably. Their intellectual camaraderie is needed now more than ever.”
“We’re proud to provide access to this legendary show as we gear up for what will certainly be one of the most heated election years in American history,” added Suzanne Grimes, EVP Marketing, CUMULUS MEDIA and President, Westwood One. “The McLaughlin Group was a pioneer among political talk shows, and this distinguished iteration lead by Tom Rogan offers important commentary at a significant time.”
The McLaughlin Group, produced by BL Sports & Media Group, returned to public television in September. Presenting station Maryland Public Television is broadcasting the series this year before it rolls out nationwide on public television stations and digital platforms in January 2020.
Stations that are interested in affiliating The McLaughlin Group can contact Stuart Greenblatt at sgreenblatt@westwoodone.com or (212) 419-2946 for more information.
