Rush Expected Back, Hannity Expected to Leave Cumulus.

POLITICO is reporting that Cumulus now looks set to drop its affiliation with Hannity entirely while re-upping its deal with Limbaugh, according to sources familiar with the contract negotiations.

POLITICO learned of the plans on Thursday night when Cumulus-syndicated radio host Michael Savage told his listeners that he anticipated taking over Hannity's time slot later this year on Cumulus stations.

“I predict, right here, right now, that I Michael Savage and the Savage Nation is going to take over The Sean Hannity Show time slot by the end of the year,” Savage announced. “I am the heir apparent to afternoon drive on the east coast and around America on Cumulus stations, which have the most powerful stations in the radio world.”

Sources familiar with the negotiations confirmed that Cumulus and Hannity were expected to end their affiliation.

Neither Hannity nor Limbaugh's spokesperson responded to a request for comment late Thursday night.

As with past reports, a Cumulus spokesperson said the broadcaster was "not in a position to comment about negotiations with talent under contract."

A Clear Channel spokesperson similarly told POLITICO, "We cannot comment as we are still in negotiations."

 In late July, Cumulus was set to drop both hosts; two days later both negotiations were back on the table.

Limbaugh and Hannity are the number-one and number-two ranked talk radio hosts in the country, respectively. To date, Cumulus carries each Limbaugh and Hannity's shows on more than 40 stations around the country.

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