The Radio Factor
Encyclopedia
The Radio Factor was a nationally syndicated talk radio
program, which aired from 2002–2009 and was hosted mainly by Bill O'Reilly
. The program, which featured host commentary with a mix of listener call-in and guest segments was broadcast live every weekday from the Fox News Channel
studios in New York City
from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (total runtime approximately 120 minutes, less 34 for commercials) and was distributed by Westwood One
in conjunction with Fox News Radio
.
Bill O'Reilly was the host of the program from Monday through Thursday and was joined by co-host Lis Wiehl
two days in the week. E.D. Hill was a former co-host as well. On Fridays, the show was usually hosted by a guest host; the most recent rotation included Michael Smerconish
, Dom Giordano (Both from CBS Radio
's Philadelphia Station, WPHT-AM) and Doug McIntyre
(Tony Snow
also was a regular substitute for this show until his 2008 death).
The show launched on May 8, 2002 on 205 stations, in 19 of the top 20 markets across the country; as of the end of 2008, his affiliate count was over 400. In addition to terrestrial radio, the show could be heard live on Fox News Talk
, available on XM Satellite Radio
and SIRIUS Satellite Radio
, as well as simulcast over the Internet
. February 26, 2009 was the last broadcast with Bill O'Reilly. A news story at the time reported O'Reilly as saying the workload for his radio and TV duties had become too much.
According to the September 2007 issue of Talkers Magazine
, in terms of audience The Radio Factor was in the top twelve of nationally aired talk shows. It was the second-highest rated show in its time slot, behind only The Rush Limbaugh Show
.
Fox pulled out of producing the program in January 2009 (though it continued to broadcast the show on tape delay), and Fred Thompson took over the show (now solely produced and distributed by Westwood One) on March 2, 2009
; the show was renamed at that time to The Fred Thompson Show. The time slot is currently held by Douglas Urbanski
. Several radio networks responded quickly: Fox News Radio moved John Gibson
to O'Reilly's old time slot, Dial Global
announced it would offer a replay of that morning's Michael Smerconish
in the slot, and Talk Radio Network
announced it would "pre-feed" the previous day's The Savage Nation
at the same time.
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
program, which aired from 2002–2009 and was hosted mainly by Bill O'Reilly
Bill O'Reilly (commentator)
William James "Bill" O'Reilly, Jr. is an American television host, author, syndicated columnist and political commentator. He is the host of the political commentary program The O'Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel, which is the most watched cable news television program on American television...
. The program, which featured host commentary with a mix of listener call-in and guest segments was broadcast live every weekday from the Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
studios in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (total runtime approximately 120 minutes, less 34 for commercials) and was distributed by Westwood One
Westwood One
Westwood One was an American radio network and was based in New York City. At one time, it was managed by CBS Radio, the radio arm of CBS Corporation, and Viacom and was later purchased by the private equity firm The Gores Group...
in conjunction with Fox News Radio
Fox News Radio
Fox News Radio is an American radio network programmed by Fox News Channel.- History :In 2003, Fox News began syndicating one minute radio updates to radio stations via syndication service Westwood One. On June 1, 2005, Fox News Radio employed 60 people and provided five minute newscasts at the top...
.
Bill O'Reilly was the host of the program from Monday through Thursday and was joined by co-host Lis Wiehl
Lis Wiehl
Lis Wiehl is an American author and legal analyst for Fox News.She is an adjunct professor of law at New York Law School, and formerly was an associate professor at University of Washington Law School. She formerly offered legal commentary for National Public Radio program and on Bill O'Reilly's...
two days in the week. E.D. Hill was a former co-host as well. On Fridays, the show was usually hosted by a guest host; the most recent rotation included Michael Smerconish
Michael Smerconish
Michael A. Smerconish is an American radio and television personality, newspaper columnist, author and MSNBC Political Analyst. His talk radio show is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at The Big Talker 1210 AM WPHT. He began his full time radio career in 2002...
, Dom Giordano (Both from CBS Radio
CBS Radio
CBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
's Philadelphia Station, WPHT-AM) and Doug McIntyre
Doug McIntyre
Doug McIntyre is the host of "Talking the News" on 77 WABC New York City , the lead-in morning drive show before "Imus in the Morning." He also hosts the four-hour radio talk show "Doug McIntyre's Red Eye Radio", syndicated across the United States on Cumulus Media Networks, and is the page one...
(Tony Snow
Tony Snow
Robert Anthony "Tony" Snow was an American journalist, political commentator, television news anchor, syndicated columnist, radio host, musician, and the third White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush. Snow also worked for President George H. W. Bush as chief speechwriter and...
also was a regular substitute for this show until his 2008 death).
The show launched on May 8, 2002 on 205 stations, in 19 of the top 20 markets across the country; as of the end of 2008, his affiliate count was over 400. In addition to terrestrial radio, the show could be heard live on Fox News Talk
Fox News Talk
Fox News Talk is a satellite radio channel that showcases talk shows and news reports from Fox News Channel personalities, along with other Fox News and talk programming...
, available on XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
and SIRIUS Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
, as well as simulcast over the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. February 26, 2009 was the last broadcast with Bill O'Reilly. A news story at the time reported O'Reilly as saying the workload for his radio and TV duties had become too much.
According to the September 2007 issue of Talkers Magazine
Talkers magazine
Talkers Magazine is a trade industry publication related to talk radio in the United States. Its slogan is "The Bible of Talk Radio and the New Talk Media"...
, in terms of audience The Radio Factor was in the top twelve of nationally aired talk shows. It was the second-highest rated show in its time slot, behind only The Rush Limbaugh Show
The Rush Limbaugh Show
The Rush Limbaugh Show is an American talk radio show hosted by Rush Limbaugh on Premiere Radio Networks...
.
Fox pulled out of producing the program in January 2009 (though it continued to broadcast the show on tape delay), and Fred Thompson took over the show (now solely produced and distributed by Westwood One) on March 2, 2009
2009 in radio
The following events occurred in radio in 2009.- Events :* January 1: Kurdish TV starts broadcasting in Turkey.* January: Michael Smerconish, morning host at talk radio WPHT Philadelphia, begins syndication of his morning show to WHFS in Washington and WOR in New York City.* January 17: Two well...
; the show was renamed at that time to The Fred Thompson Show. The time slot is currently held by Douglas Urbanski
Douglas Urbanski
Douglas Urbanski is an American theater impresario, raconteur and film producer.Urbanski is a business partner with actor Gary Oldman and he also runs a talent management firm, DMG...
. Several radio networks responded quickly: Fox News Radio moved John Gibson
John Gibson (media host)
John David Gibson is an American radio talk show host. As of September 2008, he hosts the syndicated radio program The John Gibson Show on Fox News Radio. Gibson was formerly the co-host of the weekday edition of The Big Story on the Fox News television channel.-Early career:Gibson earned a BA...
to O'Reilly's old time slot, Dial Global
Dial Global
Dial Global is a radio syndication company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triton Media Group and is a sister company to Townsquare Media, both of which are owned by Oaktree Capital Management....
announced it would offer a replay of that morning's Michael Smerconish
Michael Smerconish
Michael A. Smerconish is an American radio and television personality, newspaper columnist, author and MSNBC Political Analyst. His talk radio show is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at The Big Talker 1210 AM WPHT. He began his full time radio career in 2002...
in the slot, and Talk Radio Network
Talk Radio Network
Talk Radio Network is an American radio network providing talk radio programming, with an emphasis on conservative talk on weekdays and variety/general interest talk radio on weekends. Some of the most recognizable personalities in American radio, such as Laura Ingraham and Michael Savage, are...
announced it would "pre-feed" the previous day's The Savage Nation
The Savage Nation
The Savage Nation is an American radio show hosted by conservative commentator Michael Savage on Talk Radio Network. His show is heard by 8-10 million listeners a week and syndicated across the U.S. in over 300 markets, making it the 3rd most listened to radio show in the country...
at the same time.