Urban One is doubling down on its winning partnership with Marconi Award–winning radio personality, comedian, and author Rickey Smiley—locking in a new multi-year expansion that keeps one of radio’s most recognizable voices front and center. At the heart of the deal is a five-year renewal of the nationally syndicated “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” alongside the launch of a brand-new video podcast series, “Rickey Smiley On The Spot,” debuting March 24 on the Urban One Podcast Network.
For more than 15 years, The Rickey Smiley Morning Show has been a staple of Urban radio, entertaining millions of listeners across 89 affiliate stations in major markets including Dallas, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. Now, Urban One is taking that momentum into the digital era. The expanded partnership reflects the company’s push toward a video-first content strategy—bringing Smiley’s unmistakable humor, authenticity, and storytelling to new audiences across platforms.
The upcoming video podcast, Rickey Smiley On The Spot, promises fans a more personal side of the beloved entertainer. Equal parts funny, heartfelt, and unfiltered, the weekly 35-minute show will feature candid conversations about life, faith, and family—along with a lineup of notable guests including Da Brat, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Tye Tribbett, and Tiny Harris. In true Rickey fashion, the vibe is simple: real talk, big laughs, and a few moments that might just make you think.
Smiley says he’s grateful to continue building with the Urban One family and the team that has supported him for years. And Urban One leadership agrees, calling him a cornerstone of the brand whose voice continues to resonate with audiences nationwide. With a legacy morning show still going strong and a fresh digital platform on the horizon, the next chapter of Rickey Smiley’s run is just getting started.