Salem's Charlie Kirk climbs to No. 1 in podcast rankings ahead of new timeslot

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Salem announced today that in a seismic shift that’s sending shockwaves across the conservative media landscape, Charlie Kirk, host of The Charlie Kirk Show, has officially taken the crown as the #1 conservative podcast in America, and now ranks as the #2 news podcast overall, following his takeover of the legendary Rush Limbaugh time slot. This is according to the latest Apple Podcast Ranker. 

What was once considered an unfillable void has now become the launchpad for a new movement. Since partnering with Salem Media Group, Kirk’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of historic. Audience numbers are skyrocketing. Engagement is off the charts. And for the first time in over a decade, a fresh voice has taken control of the mic and the momentum.

Beginning Monday, Charlie moves into the Dennis Prager time slot all across the country on over 200 radio stations, including 18 of the top 20 markets.

 “This isn’t just a win for Charlie,” said David Santrella, CEO of Salem Media Group. “This is a defining moment for conservative media. The torch has been passed, and we’re not looking back.”

 Backed by Salem’s powerhouse network and distribution muscle, Kirk has done what no one thought possible: filled Rush’s time slot and expanded the audience. His show now commands millions of loyal listeners daily across radio, podcast, television, and streaming platforms.

“This is about building a future Rush would be proud of,” said Charlie Kirk. “We’re not just talking. We’re activating a generation.”

 From college campuses to Capitol Hill, Kirk’s brand of unapologetic, high-octane conservatism is resonating like never before. His ability to speak to Gen Z without losing Gen X has created a tidal wave of influence, and the numbers prove it.

As of today, March 27, 2025, The Charlie Kirk Show is the #1 conservative podcast and the #2 news podcast in the United States.

With this milestone, Salem Media Group continues its rapid rise as a major force in conservative media. What was once dominated by legacy platforms is now being reshaped by a new generation, driven by fresh talent, smart digital strategy, and a deep understanding of where the audience is heading next.

 “This is just the beginning for us,” said Brad Parscale, Chief Strategy Officer at Salem Media Group. “We’re grateful for the trust of our listeners and proud to support talent like Charlie who can connect so deeply with the audience. We’re taking this moment to celebrate but also to stay focused on the work ahead.”

 

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Salem Radio Network Speakers

Larry Elder is an American lawyer, writer, and radio and television personality who calls himself the "Sage of South Central" a district of Los Angeles, Larry says his philosophy is to entertain, inform, provoke and to hopefully uplift. His calling card is "we have a country to save" and to him this means returning to the bedrock Constitutional principles of limited government and maximum personal responsibility. Elder's iconoclastic wit and intellectual agility makes him a particularly attractive voice in a nation that seems weary of traditional racial dialogue.” – Los Angeles Times.

Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher began his broadcasting career in 1978 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, he is one of the most listened-to talk radio show hosts in America, recently having been ranked in the Talkers Magazine “Heavy Hundred” list – the 100 most important talk radio hosts in America. Prior to being launched into national syndication in 1998, Mike hosted the morning show on WABC-AM in New York City. Today, Talkers Magazine reports that his show is heard by over 3.75 million weekly listeners. Besides his radio work, Mike is seen on Fox News Channel as an on-air contributor, frequently appearing on the cable news giant.

Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media revolutionary. He brings that expertise, his wit and what The New Yorker magazine calls his “amiable but relentless manner” to his nationally syndicated show each day.

When Dr. Sebastian Gorka was growing up, he listened to talk radio under his pillow with a transistor radio, dreaming that one day he would be behind the microphone. Beginning New Year’s Day 2019, he got his wish. Gorka now hosts America First every weekday afternoon 3 to 6pm ET. Gorka’s unique story works well on the radio. He is national security analyst for the Fox News Channel and author of two books: "Why We Fight" and "Defeating Jihad." His latest book releasing this fall is “War For America’s Soul.” He is uniquely qualified to fight the culture war and stand up for what is great about America, his adopted home country.

Broadcasting from his home station of KRLA in Los Angeles, the Dennis Prager Show is heard across the country. Everything in life – from politics to religion to relationships – is grist for Dennis’ mill. If it’s interesting, if it affects your life, then Dennis will be talking about it – with passion, humor, insight and wisdom.

Sean Hannity is a conservative radio and television host, and one of the original primetime hosts on the Fox News Channel, where he has appeared since 1996. Sean Hannity began his radio career at a college station in California, before moving on to markets in the Southeast and New York. Today, he’s one of the most listened to on-air voices. Hannity’s radio program went into national syndication on September 10, 2001, and airs on more than 500 stations. Talkers Magazine estimates Hannity’s weekly radio audience at 13.5 million. In 1996 he was hired as one of the original hosts on Fox News Channel. As host of several popular Fox programs, Hannity has become the highest-paid news anchor on television.

Michelle Malkin is a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, longtime cable TV news commentator, and best-selling author of six books. She started her newspaper journalism career at the Los Angeles Daily News in 1992, moved to the Seattle Times in 1995, and has been penning nationally syndicated newspaper columns for Creators Syndicate since 1999. She is founder of conservative Internet start-ups Hot Air and Twitchy.com. Malkin has received numerous awards for her investigative journalism, including the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) national award for outstanding service for the cause of governmental ethics and leadership (1998), the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award for Investigative Journalism (2006), the Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity's Breitbart Award for Excellence in Journalism (2013), the Center for Immigration Studies' Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration Award (2016), and the Manhattan Film Festival's Film Heals Award (2018). Married for 26 years and the mother of two teenage children, she lives with her family in Colorado. Follow her at michellemalkin.com. (Photo reprinted with kind permission from Peter Duke Photography.)

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Salem's Charlie Kirk climbs to No. 1 in podcast rankings ahead of new timeslot

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Audio By Carbonatix

Salem announced today that in a seismic shift that’s sending shockwaves across the conservative media landscape, Charlie Kirk, host of The Charlie Kirk Show, has officially taken the crown as the #1 conservative podcast in America, and now ranks as the #2 news podcast overall, following his takeover of the legendary Rush Limbaugh time slot. This is according to the latest Apple Podcast Ranker. 

What was once considered an unfillable void has now become the launchpad for a new movement. Since partnering with Salem Media Group, Kirk’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of historic. Audience numbers are skyrocketing. Engagement is off the charts. And for the first time in over a decade, a fresh voice has taken control of the mic and the momentum.

Beginning Monday, Charlie moves into the Dennis Prager time slot all across the country on over 200 radio stations, including 18 of the top 20 markets.

 “This isn’t just a win for Charlie,” said David Santrella, CEO of Salem Media Group. “This is a defining moment for conservative media. The torch has been passed, and we’re not looking back.”

 Backed by Salem’s powerhouse network and distribution muscle, Kirk has done what no one thought possible: filled Rush’s time slot and expanded the audience. His show now commands millions of loyal listeners daily across radio, podcast, television, and streaming platforms.

“This is about building a future Rush would be proud of,” said Charlie Kirk. “We’re not just talking. We’re activating a generation.”

 From college campuses to Capitol Hill, Kirk’s brand of unapologetic, high-octane conservatism is resonating like never before. His ability to speak to Gen Z without losing Gen X has created a tidal wave of influence, and the numbers prove it.

As of today, March 27, 2025, The Charlie Kirk Show is the #1 conservative podcast and the #2 news podcast in the United States.

With this milestone, Salem Media Group continues its rapid rise as a major force in conservative media. What was once dominated by legacy platforms is now being reshaped by a new generation, driven by fresh talent, smart digital strategy, and a deep understanding of where the audience is heading next.

 “This is just the beginning for us,” said Brad Parscale, Chief Strategy Officer at Salem Media Group. “We’re grateful for the trust of our listeners and proud to support talent like Charlie who can connect so deeply with the audience. We’re taking this moment to celebrate but also to stay focused on the work ahead.”

 

Salem News Channel Today

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