Rickey Smiley Inks Deal With Urban One for New Video Podcast, 5-Year Extension of His Morning Radio Show

Mar 12, 2026 5:00am PT Rickey Smiley Inks Deal With Urban One for New Video Podcast, 5-Year Extension of His Morning Radio Show By Todd Spangler Plus Icon Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor xpangler Latest Netflix Could Pay as Much as $600 Million for Ben Affleck’s AI Film Start-Up: Report 15 hours ago Audacy’s ‘Campus Files’ Podcast Returns For Season 2, Unpacking College Controversies Including Yale’s Naked Freshman Photo Scandal 16 hours ago Snapchat Is Honoring DJ Khaled With a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at Its First-Ever Snappy Awards 19 hours ago See All Getty Images Radio personality, comedian and author Rickey Smiley is expanding his partnership with media company Urban One. The centerpieces of the pact are a five-year extension of the nationally syndicated “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” distributed to over 89 affiliate stations across the U.S., and “Rickey Smiley on the Spot,” an original video podcast series launching March 24 on the company’s Urban One Podcast Network. Related Stories Barbra Streisand in Talks for Oscars Performance to Honor Robert Redford Barbra Streisand to Receive Cannes Honorary Palme d’Or The expanded deal is part of Urban One’s “video-first” pivot. “Rickey Smiley on the Spot,” building on his successful morning show, blends his signature wit with meaningful explorations of life, faith, and family. The video podcast will allow both Smiley and his guests “to let their guard down for “all real talk,” per Urban One. The initial guest lineup includes Da Brat, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Tye Tribbett and Tiny Harris. Popular on Variety Each episode of “Rickey Smiley on the Spot” will run about 35 minutes. The show is launching through the Urban One Podcast Network and will be available on all major audio platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Pandora. “I am so excited to continue my partnership with Urban One and Reach Media,” Smiley said in a statement. “I’m eternally grateful to Ms. Hughes, Alfred Liggins, Deon Levingston and Colby Colb for believing in me all these years. I could not do any of this without the most amazing team of talented people I am blessed to work with every day who keep it real, keep it fresh and keep our fans informed and laughing every day. The future is bright with the best yet to come.” Deon Levingston, co-president of Urban One’s Audio Division, said: “Rickey is a cornerstone of the Urban One brand, and we are thrilled to expand his footprint with a show that captures his natural comedic rhythm in such an intimate way. By expanding on Rickey’s popularity with our listeners and creating a new programming opportunity, we are providing a platform that not only uplifts Black voices but also creates a premium, culturally resonant environment for our listeners and brand partners alike.” “Rickey Smiley on the Spot” is executive produced by Smiley and Tiffany Ryland, with Tonya Clackum and Taylor Green serving as producers. The podcast is distributed through the Urban One Podcast Network, led by senior director of podcast operations Dre Smith. The new deal between Smiley and Urban One was brokered by Paul Anderson of Workhouse Media. Smiley is repped by Levity and UTA. Urban One is diversified media company primarily targeting Black Americans and urban audiences in the U.S., claiming to reach 80 million unique consumers monthly. Its assets include TV One and CLEO TV, collectively available in 40 million households, Radio One, with 74 broadcast stations in 13 top African American markets; and Reach Media, with 312 affiliates over 94 markets and home to nationally syndicated shows including “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” “The D.L. Hughley Show,” “Get Up! Mornings With Erica Campbell” and “The Morning Hustle.” Jump to Comments LISTEN: Oscars Rewind With Nicole Kidman as She Revisits Her 2003 Best Actress Win for ‘The Hours’ Zhang Ziyi, Liu Haoran, Terrance Lau Feted at Hong Kong’s Asian Film Awards UFC Fighters to Train FBI Agents in ‘Historic Seminar’ This Week: We’ll ‘Be Even Better Prepared to Protect the American People,’ Kash Patel Says Kanye West Announces Rare Los Angeles Shows Ahead of New Album ‘Bully’ ‘Animal Kingdom’ Boss Eliza Clark Sets Hulu Crime Drama Pilot ‘Durango’ About Runaway Lovers Snapchat Is Honoring DJ Khaled With a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at Its First-Ever Snappy Awards JavaScript is required to load the comments. Loading comments...