Nick Cannon, currently morning personality at WXRK (92.3 NOW) New York, has added new duties as host of a nationally syndicated weekly countdown show. Premiering the weekend of April 23, “Cannon’s Countdown” will be broadcast on CBS Radio stations and syndicated nationally by Citadel Media. Featuring a mix of music and celebrity interviews, the show will be available in a four-hour version for CHR pop/rhythmic stations and a three-hour edition for urban stations.
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Declining to reveal any hints about guests for his first show, Cannon tells Billboard, “Last week I spoke with Britney Spears and I had Chris Brown in the studio before that. Whatever is happening in pop culture, I’m there. CBS Radio has been an incredible partner. With the success we’ve had with my morning show, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to reach radio listeners nationwide.”
CBS Radio senior VP of programming Chris Oliviero noted in a statement, “Nick’s uncanny sense of humor and engaging style will bring a new and modern twist to the countdown format.”
Produced by Cannon’s Ncredible Entertainment in association with CBS Radio, “Cannon’s Countdown” — using a custom weighted chart based on the show’s affiliate airplay — will debut in 24 markets. Those markets include CBS outlets in New York (WXRK), Washington, D.C. (WPGC), Chicago (WBBM), Atlanta (WVEE), San Francisco (KMVQ) and Las Vegas (KLUC). Among the Citadel Broadcasting markets premiering the show are Providence-New Bedford, R.I. (WFHN and WWKX), New Orleans (KKND), Reno (KWYL) and Oklahoma City (KKWD).
Launching concurrently will be cannonscountdown.com. In addition to showcasing the program’s weekly list of the most popular urban or CHR pop/rhythmic songs and streaming the countdown, the website will offer daily overviews of what’s hot in pop culture. Also featured: Cannon’s take on new music, the latest entertainment and fashion news, event listings and cool gadgets.
Cannon, who has been helming mornings (“Rollin’ With Nick Cannon”) at WXRK for just over a year, also hosts NBC television’s “America’s Got Talent.” In addition to serving as chairman of TeenNick, the actor/comedian/artist will release a comedy mixtape, “Children of the Corn,” as a free download April 11 on nickcannon.com. The mixtape, featuring Akon, Talib Kweli and others, will precede Cannon’s upcoming cable stand-up comedy special. The network and airdate will be announced shortly.
Cannon’s recently released track “Famous” featuring Akon, with whom he co-produced the song, will double as the special’s theme song. In the meantime, Cannon plans to release his “Mr. Showbiz” stand-up comedy album for purchase on iTunes May 15.
“It’s all part of my plan to be a media monster; Ryan Seacrest ain’t got nothing on me,” Cannon says with a laugh. Media mogul aspirations aside, the soon-to-be-dad admits he’s “definitely on pins and needles” about the twins he and wife Mariah Carey are expecting “any day now.”