*The Rickey Smiley Urban One podcast 2026 announcement just changed the game for morning radio fans. Urban One has locked in the beloved comedian for a massive multi-year expansion, and the details are exactly what listeners have been waiting for.
The media giant announced a major multi-year expansion with Rickey Smiley, cementing a five-year renewal of the nationally syndicated The Rickey Smiley Morning Show while launching a brand-new video podcast (Rickey Smiley on the Spot).
Simply put: Smiley is staying exactly where he belongs, and he’s bringing more content than ever.
The Deal at a Glance
The five-year renewal keeps Smiley’s morning show parked on 89 affiliate stations across the country, including major markets like Dallas, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. If you’ve scanned radio dials in urban markets over the last decade and a half, you already know—Smiley isn’t just a host. He’s a ritual.
But the real headline? The launch of Rickey Smiley on The Spot, a weekly video podcast dropping March 24 on the Urban One Podcast Network.
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What Is ‘On the Spot’?
Described as “Smiley in his truest form,” the 35-minute video podcast promises something his radio fans already love but rarely see: the man himself, unfiltered and unscripted.
Think quick wit meets real talk. Faith, family, life, and laughter—all wrapped in long-form conversations where Smiley and his guests let their guard down. The description says it best: “where humor and humanity collide.”
And the guest list? Stacked.
Confirmed appearances include:
Da Brat
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Tye Tribbett
Tiny Harris
If that lineup doesn’t make you hit subscribe, check your pulse.
Why This Matters for Urban One
This isn’t just a contract extension. It’s a strategy.
Urban One is leaning hard into a “video-first” pivot, using Smiley’s massive built-in audience to bridge traditional radio excellence with digital growth. The company isn’t just protecting a legacy asset—they’re building a new one.
Deon Levingston, Co-President of Urban One’s Audio Division, put it plainly:
“Rickey is a cornerstone of the Urban One brand. By expanding on his 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.”
Translation: Smiley moves units, and now he moves video, too.
What Rickey Says
For a man who’s spent 15 years making America laugh at breakfast time, Smiley sounds genuinely grateful—and ready for more.
“I am so excited to continue my partnership with Urban One and Reach Media. 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.”
When a legend thanks you personally? You’re doing something right.
The Team Behind the Mic
Rickey Smiley on the Spot isn’t a one-man show. Smiley executive produces alongside Tiffany Ryland, with Tonya Clackum and Taylor Green producing. The series drops through the Urban One Podcast Network, led by senior director of podcast operations Dre Smith.
Smiley is represented by Paul Anderson of Workhouse Media, Inc.
When and Where to Watch
The first episode drops March 24, 2026, and will be available on all major platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Pandora
Urban One Podcast Network (video included)
For more information, visit: www.urban1podcasts.com/rickey-smiley-on-the-spot
The Bottom Line
Fifteen years of morning radio. Eighty-nine affiliates. Millions of listeners. And now? A video podcast that lets Rickey Smiley be Rickey Smiley—no filters, no scripts, no holding back.
If you’ve been waking up with him for years, you already know: the best is truly yet to come.
Welcome to the next chapter, Rickey. We’ll be watching.
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