Update 12/13: Laura Ingraham will return to syndicated talk on January 2 as she signs on with Courtside Entertainment Group to distribute her show. Courtside, run by Westwood One founder Norm Pattiz will also utilize subsidiary Launchpad Digital Media to expand the show’s presence online.
The press release follows:
Courtside Entertainment Group announced today a new agreement to distribute The Laura Ingraham Show to her national radio audience beginning January 2, 2013. Ingraham’s highly anticipated return to her more than 300 radio affiliates will offer audiences an expanded show experience and a heightened presence on new media platforms.
One of the most popular radio hosts in the United States, Ingraham returns to radio coast-to-coast, while significantly increasing her audience through Launchpad Digital Media, a division of Norm Pattiz’s Courtside Entertainment Group. Launchpad will digitally stream the live three-hour program online, make it available as an on-demand podcast, and feature new original content from Ingraham’s Dream in My Head Productions. The Laura Ingraham Show will be produced by Dream In My Head Productions with ad representation managed by Courtside.
In the 3rd quarter of 2012, The Laura Ingraham Show was the 3rd most popular political talk show streamed in the nation.
“I suppose this means putting aside my xylophone and modern dance ambitions,” Ingraham quipped. “I’m thrilled to partner with Norm Pattiz, who helped guide my show after its initial launch in 2001; I am humbled by the outpouring of affection from my listeners over the past few weeks. Courtside’s commitment to our team, our audience, and stations will broaden the national reach of the Laura Ingraham Show to new radio markets. Ingraham added: “The exciting collaboration with Launchpad gives us the opportunity to establish a powerful digital presence—a place where our audience can always find their ‘Healthy Radio Addiction’ on demand. Via Dream In My Head Productions, my team and I are creating original digital programming and new television and multi-media content.
“I look forward to resuming the conversation with the greatest audience in radio and those who have never listened before–making news, creating laughs, and talking about the things that really matter. People need more laughter and fewer lectures; more fresh insights and fewer stale talking points. Each day the Laura Ingraham Show will drive the national conversation with humor and inspiration for a nation that sorely needs it.”
“The wait is over. The most-listened-to woman in political talk is returning to the national airwaves and is making a major move into the on-demand digital space,” said Norm Pattiz. “Laura Ingraham is one of the most popular and well-known personalities in America today. Recognizing the rapidly growing demand for great on-demand digital content, we are honored that Laura has chosen Launchpad to share her wit and wisdom with the widening online audience. Launchpad is currently delivering over 90 million downloads per month, and we are excited to continue adding powerful radio personas like Laura Ingraham to the expanding roster of Launchpad podcast offerings.”
Major programming executives are already reacting to the announcement:
Dave Houston, the GM of Ingraham’s flagship WTNT in Washington, DC, said, “Since the announcement of Laura’s radio hiatus, our listeners have been clamoring for her return. This is fantastic news–her voice is unique and was sorely missed.”
Laura Scotti, the General Manager at Crawford Broadcasting Company (Ingraham affiliates in Denver and Birmingham) enthused, “Laura Ingraham provides top quality programming which our listeners thoroughly enjoy. We all really look forward to hearing her on air again.”
About Laura Ingraham
Laura Ingraham is one of the most popular radio talk show hosts in America. In 2012 “The Laura Ingraham Show” was heard on 320+ stations nationwide and has been addicting legions of listeners since its launch in 2001. Laura is also a Fox News contributor and the principal substitute host on The O’Reilly Factor. She is the author of five books including the #1 New York Times bestsellers Power to the People and The Obama Diaries and other smash hits Of Thee I Zing: America’s Cultural Decline from Muffin Tops to Body Shots, Shut Up & Sing and The Hillary Trap. A former litigator and Supreme Court law clerk, Laura is a graduate of University of Virginia School of law and Dartmouth College. She is also an avid supporter of our troops, and veterans’ causes. Laura lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her three children.
About Launchpad Digital Media
Launchpad Digital Media (www.launchpaddigitalmedia.com) is one of the largest players in the on-demand media world. Lead by digital, online and podcast sales pioneer Kit Gray, Launchpad’s podcast platform includes some of the biggest names in digital entertainment including Adam Carolla, CBS News, Afterbuzz TV with Maria Menounos, Jay Mohr, Dr. Drew, Chris Hardwick (The Nerdist), Mark & Lynda, Brian & Jill, and Penn Jillette. Launchpad is also home to the Sideshow Network, The Fake Mustache Network, Riotcast Network, Splitsider Network and the Toad Hop Network making Launchpad one of the industry’s largest players.
About Courtside Entertainment Group
Courtside Entertainment Group produces and finances multi-platform, quality programming, including: Bill O’Reilly’s Talking Points, Loveline, One Minute Clinic with Dr. Drew Pinsky, The Dave Koz Show and a wide variety of music specials featuring exclusive interviews with the biggest names in every music genre. Courtside is the latest venture from Westwood One founder, Norman Pattiz.
Original Report 11/27: Nationally syndicated host Laura Ingraham has left Talk Radio Network amidst rumors she will soon be jumping to an IHeartRadio.com based platform with Clear Channel’s Premiere Radio Networks.
Tammy Bruce is currently filling in on Ingraham’s TRN show until a permanent replacement is named. LauraIngraham.com has been purged of its affiliate directory. Ingraham is the second major personality to exit TRN in the past few months, following Michael Savage’s departure to Cumulus.
INSTANT INSIGHT: Considering most of Ingraham’s affiliates are in smaller markets, a shift to a Clear Channel internet platform could increase her exposure in larger markets while still being syndicated to those lesser markets and additional Clear Channel stations.
Kevin 
Laurence Glavin 
RT @radioinsight: RadioInsight: Laura Ingraham Leaves Talk Radio Network – http://t.co/xU81nHyd
RT @radioinsight: RadioInsight: Laura Ingraham Leaves Talk Radio Network – http://t.co/xU81nHyd
Considering that she’s gone up against Premiere’s Glenn Beck for the entirety of her time as a 9am-12pm ET host (she previously held the 7p-10p slot while at Westwood One, in Bruce Williams’ old time slot) going to an internet-primary show wouldn’t be a bad thing.
In the span of one year, Talk Radio Network has lost Savage, moved Jerry Doyle to Savage’s old time slot (which really didn’t benefit either) and lost Laura. Plus they filed suit against Dial and Compass, more to get attention, because at the same time, Cumulus is becoming VERY aggressive with putting their own product on their own talk stations. And ARNN isn’t really taking off at all – it exists more as filler for fourth-tier and rural stations that can’t fill an entire schedule.
Wow. Just wow.
My guess is that she’ll either end up with Cumulus in a different time slot, or she’ll sign with Salem and replace one of their floundering shows.
There’s an outside chance of her going to SiriusXM.
if any of those don’t pan out, she’ll have her own show on Fox News.
Salem has had NOTHING BUT FLOUNDERING right-wing shows for years, and has not seen fit to replace any ofhteir hosts. Being a right-wing talk-show host on Salem Radio is the closest thing to tenure this side of the Supreme Court.