Go big or go home, the saying says, and my pal and former Hot Air contributor Larry O’Connor taken it to heart.
Today, our parent company Salem Media announced that Larry would take over the national morning-drive show that Chris Stigall left in order to run for Congress. Larry will also continue as Townhall’s strategy leader as well as keep producing his hit podcast. Somewhere in between, Larry may even take a breath and have a meal!
The Washington Reporter’s Matthew Foldi broke the news a few minutes ago:
Conservative media is getting a big shakeup, with Salem Media announcing that Washington, D.C. mainstay Larry O’Connor is taking over its 6-9am time slot every morning starting May 4, the Washington Reporter can exclusively confirm.
Under the new landmark deal, O’Connor’s show will air across the Salem Radio Network and the Salem News Channel, increasing O’Connor’s visibility, and bringing another conservative heavy-hitter even further into the Salem fold.
“I love it when a plan comes together, Townhall Media’s publisher, Jonathan Garthwaite, said of the news. “From his desk at Townhall, plus radio, TV, and podcast studios, Larry is a unique triple threat of news, influence, and personality.”
Salem sent out a statement heralding Larry’s arrival on national morning drive-time:
For more than a decade, O’Connor has been at the center of the political conversation in Washington, with a daily radio show and podcast followed by lawmakers, White House staff, media figures, and political insiders. In this expanded role, he will help set the tone for the day’s news across Salem’s platforms, delivering timely analysis, impactful interviews, and sharp commentary to a growing national audience.
By aligning O’Connor’s leadership role at Townhall.com with his national radio and television presence—and his growing digital footprint—Salem is further strengthening its integrated, cross-platform content strategy. This move positions O’Connor at the forefront of conservative political discourse while reinforcing Salem Media’s role as a leading destination for news, commentary, and influential voices.
Phil Boyce, Senior Vice President of Content at Salem Media, said of the announcement, “Larry is the go-to media voice for the people shaping policy in our nation’s capital. He’s built a show insiders rely on and an audience that cares deeply about the direction of the country. We’re proud to expand that success across our national lineup, leading the conversation every morning across America.”
Larry also send out a statement after the news broke:
“We’re excited to bring O’Connor & Company to a broader national audience while maintaining the strong foundation and audience connection the show has built in Washington,” O’Connor said. “At the same time, we’re building the future of media across radio, streaming, and digital platforms with Townhall and the Salem News Channel. Salem’s integrated vision aligns perfectly with my work across platforms, including my daily streaming show LARRY, and makes this an incredibly exciting next chapter. I’m also thrilled that my longtime collaborator and executive producer, Heather Hunter, will continue with the program as we expand nationwide.”
Frankly, there’s no one better positioned to make this move than my friend Larry. We go waaaaay back, even before he came to Hot Air, and he’s one of the smartest people I know on politics and culture. He and I launched the Off the Beaten Path VIP podcast initially to focus more on the latter, especially in the entertainment context. He wound up succeeding at so many things at Townhall that we brought Christian Toto in to replace Larry, and it’s been great, but the reminder just serves to demonstrate his scope and depth. Now Salem Radio listeners will benefit from it every morning, plus his connections to DC movers and shakers will allow us to gain even more insight.
So please join me in sending my congratulations to my good friend Larry and wish him well in the weeks, months, and years ahead!
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