Urban One Extends Rickey Smiley Show, Launches Podcast

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, March 12, 2026 | 11:28am CT

Rickey Smiley

Urban One has expanded its partnership with veteran radio personality and comedian Rickey Smiley with a five-year extension of the nationally syndicated The Rickey Smiley Morning Show and the launch of a new video podcast series.

The company announced that Rickey Smiley On The Spot will debut March 24 on the Urban One Podcast Network as part of a broader effort to expand Smiley's reach across digital platforms. The show will feature 35-minute episodes blending humor with conversations about life, faith and family, along with interviews with guests including Da Brat, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Tye Tribbett and Tiny Harris.

Smiley's morning program currently airs on 89 affiliates nationwide, including markets such as Dallas, Atlanta and Washington, DC. The new podcast is designed to complement the broadcast show while expanding Urban One's digital content strategy.

"I am so excited to continue my partnership with Urban One and Reach Media," Smiley said. "I'm eternally grateful to Ms. Hughes, Alfred Liggins, Deon Levingston and Colby Colb for believing in me all these years."

Urban One Co-President of the Audio Division Deon Levingston said the expansion builds on Smiley's popularity with listeners while creating new programming opportunities across the company's platforms.

"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," Levingston said.

Rickey Smiley On The Spot is executive produced by Smiley and Tiffany Ryland, with Tonya Clackum and Taylor Green serving as producers. The podcast will be distributed through the Urban One Podcast Network and will be available on platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Pandora.