Coast to Coast AM with George Noory

[Smokin Hot Bob]

If Noory is really set to retire or be retired, and they are bringing in stray alternate guest hosts, a lot of people would actually like to see Ms. Wade get a chance on occasion. Seriously.

[PB]

If Noory is really set to retire or be retired, and they are bringing in stray alternate guest hosts, a lot of people would actually like to see Ms. Wade get a chance on occasion. Seriously.

I'd like to hear Tommy do a show.

[Dateline]

That Ryan Wrecker seems to be a Norry, Junior, Norry clone, or maybe the result of a drunken pickup after a Norry live event.  He is just too Norry.

[sean92008]

All I hope is that PremSuck gets their comeuppance. Maybe the ghost of Art Bell will come back and give us a Miss Wade or, worse, another Norry, but with turrets syndrome and the continual, eternal, case of bad gas.

[Smokin Hot Bob]

Deep research from Perplexity:

George Noory's Continued Tenure on Coast to Coast AM: No Evidence of Imminent Replacement

Based on current evidence and recent developments, there are no indications that George Noory will be replaced as host of Coast to Coast AM in the near future. Noory recently celebrated his 22nd anniversary as host in January 2025, signed a long-term contract extension with Premiere Networks, and continues to maintain his position as the weekday host of the nationally syndicated overnight radio program. While some longtime listeners have expressed concerns about the show's direction and quality, network executives appear committed to Noory's continued leadership of the program, and his audience has reportedly continued to grow throughout his tenure.

Current Status and Recent Developments

George Noory remains firmly established as the weekday host of Coast to Coast AM, a position he has held since January 2003 when he took over from the show's original host, Art Bell. Recent evidence demonstrates his continued prominence in the role, as he celebrated his 22nd anniversary as host of the program in January 2025. This milestone celebration suggests both network confidence in his performance and his own commitment to continuing in the position.

The program maintains its extensive reach across North America, with Coast to Coast AM currently airing on more than 640 stations nationwide. Noory's show follows a consistent schedule, broadcasting weekdays from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Eastern time and weekends from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Eastern. Station listings as recent as May 2025 continue to identify Noory as the host, indicating no immediate plans for transition.

Noory's background and qualifications for the role remain relevant to his continued tenure. The host, born June 4, 1950, brings extensive broadcasting experience to the position, having worked in both radio and television news before transitioning to paranormal-themed programming. His journey to Coast to Coast AM began with hosting "The Nighthawk" on KTRS in St. Louis, which caught the attention of Premiere Radio Networks executives and led to his recruitment as a guest host before eventually becoming the permanent weekday host.

Network Commitment and Contract Extension

Premiere Networks has demonstrated significant confidence in Noory's continued leadership through concrete contractual commitments. In June 2021, the network announced that Noory had signed a long-term agreement that would extend "well into this decade". At the time of this announcement, Noory expressed his delight with the extension, stating his anticipation for the future of the show as he entered his 18th year as host.

Julie Talbott, President of Premiere Networks, provided strong endorsement of Noory's performance in the 2021 announcement, describing Coast to Coast AM as "an overnight powerhouse" for network partners and crediting Noory's dedication to the program and audience. She specifically praised his passion and enthusiasm, noting that he brings these qualities to the program every night, and expressed the network's happiness to extend their successful partnership.

The financial and ratings success of the program under Noory's leadership appears to be a key factor in the network's commitment. Coast to Coast AM is described as "late-night talk radio with daytime ratings and entertainment," indicating that the show performs exceptionally well for its time slot. This success, combined with Noory's status as a seven-time best-selling author, suggests that he brings significant value to the network beyond just his hosting duties.

Listener Sentiment and Criticism

Despite network support, some segments of the Coast to Coast AM audience have expressed dissatisfaction with the show's current direction under Noory's leadership. A 2023 Reddit discussion among longtime listeners revealed concerns about the program's declining quality, with one 25-year listener describing the show as "dying" due to repetitive callers and content that makes the program appear "unappealing and filled with LARPing". These critics specifically blamed not only the regular callers but also Premiere Networks, Noory himself, and the call screening process for allowing repetitive, low-quality content night after night

The criticism extends to Noory's hosting style and approach compared to his predecessor, Art Bell. Some fans expressed nostalgia for Bell's more challenging interview style and his ability to engage authentically with callers during segments like "Open Line Fridays". Critics argue that Noory is less likely to challenge questionable claims from guests and callers, with The New York Times noting that "Art was a little more, if he thought you were loo-la, he would tell you."

Professional media criticism has also highlighted concerns about Noory's broadcasting approach. A 2010 Atlantic article described him as "an uneven broadcaster" who sometimes appears not to pay full attention to guests and allows "clearly delusional or pseudoscientific assertions slide by without challenge". More recently, The New York Times identified Coast to Coast AM as contributing to misinformation spread through "unchallenged interviews with a large number of questionable anti-vaccine guests."

.However, these criticisms should be viewed within the context of Noory's stated approach to the program. According to Media Life Magazine, Noory has explicitly stated that "it doesn't matter whether he believes what his callers and guests say" because "ultimately, it's about entertainment, creating a show that people will be drawn to". This entertainment-focused philosophy may explain the network's continued support despite some listener and media criticism.

Industry Context and Programming Strategy

The overnight radio market presents unique challenges and opportunities that may influence decisions about Coast to Coast AM's hosting. The program occupies a distinctive niche in radio broadcasting, described as "the only source for the kind of intriguing, paranormal topics that a huge population of 'fringe' thinkers want to hear about". This specialized audience and content focus creates both loyalty and limitations in terms of potential host replacements.

Some listener discussions suggest that the show has "doubled down on the aging boomer demographic" without making efforts to "attract younger new listeners," with predictions that the program will "probably last another 5-10 years and then be done". However, these represent audience speculation rather than official network strategy or announcements.

The program does maintain some variety in its hosting lineup, with other personalities like George Knapp and Richard Syrett receiving positive mentions from listeners as alternative hosts who bring different approaches to the show. These guest hosts may serve as potential succession options in the future, but there's no current indication that they're being positioned to replace Noory.

Coast to Coast AM's syndication model and extensive station network create additional considerations for any potential hosting changes. With over 640 stations carrying the program, any transition would need to be carefully managed to maintain affiliate relationships and audience continuity. The show's continued strong performance in overnight ratings provides stability that makes dramatic changes less likely in the near term.

Conclusion

Based on available evidence, George Noory is not facing imminent replacement as host of Coast to Coast AM. His recent 22nd anniversary celebration, long-term contract extension through the current decade, and continued network support all point to his ongoing tenure in the role. While some longtime listeners and media critics have raised concerns about the show's content and hosting approach, these have not translated into concrete steps toward replacement by Premiere Networks.

The combination of Noory's established audience, the program's continued ratings success, and the specialized nature of overnight paranormal radio programming creates an environment where stability is valued over change. Unless significant developments occur regarding his health, contract negotiations, or dramatic audience decline, Noory appears positioned to continue hosting Coast to Coast AM for the foreseeable future. Any eventual transition would likely be planned well in advance and carefully managed given the program's extensive syndication network and dedicated audience base.

[PB]

Deep research from Perplexity:

If a football coach was given a ''vote of confidence'' like this, we could expect his firing within weeks, if not days...

[sean92008]

If a football coach was given a ''vote of confidence'' like this, we could expect his firing within weeks, if not days...

Hold it, I didn't see the actual ratings. Anything short of a listener share rating, especially in the big markets, is extremely important. Is sportstalk radio beating this crap out?. True, I just skimmed over that with article, but I didn't see ratings. Having 6 million stations doesn't matter if nobody is listening. Or, more likely, the people listening don't have money.

[JUAN]

Hold it, I didn't see the word ratings. True, I just skimmed over that with article, but I didn't see ratings. Having 6 million stations doesn't matter if nobody is listening. Or, more likely, the people listening don't have money.

Yes it does.  Premier owns a large number of those stations and they need programming.  Coast is about as cheap as you can get.  Remember the network sells half the ads and the local station sells half.  If its a PremRat owned station, PremRat gets all the money.  If the local station got a program from another source, PremRat would get only half the money.

[Dateline]

The word "imminent" replacement says it all.  I don't think a month is imminent.  Give it till the end of June.

[Uncle Duke]

Yes it does.  Premier owns a large number of those stations and they need programming.  Coast is about as cheap as you can get.  Remember the network sells half the ads and the local station sells half.  If its a PremRat owned station, PremRat gets all the money.  If the local station got a program from another source, PremRat would get only half the money.

Would be interesting to know the number of non-iHeart owned stations carry C2C?  I'd bet iHeart owns an order of magnitude more stations than all independent/non-network affiliated, US commercial radio stations combined. Also, you'd think any independent radio station would only be permitted to carry a network program like C2C if the network station in that market declined to carry it.

[sean92008]

Would be interesting to know the number of non-iHeart owned stations carry C2C?  I'd bet iHeart owns an order of magnitude more stations than all independent/non-network affiliated, US commercial radio stations combined. Also, you'd think any independent radio station would only be permitted to carry a network program like C2C if the network station in that market declined to carry it.

The number of stations doing that could be quite telling.

It might be the only way they keep station numbers even close to what Art Bell used to have.

[Morgus]

Noory near the start of the show tonight he reported that today was his mom's 96th birthday so he played a recorded interview with her.

[CronkitesGhost]

return bumper music was 'Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes', Noory commented 'Every time I hear that song I think of our friend Rosemary Ellen Guiley who passed away.' I remember her name, she's not the Numbers Lady, so what was her shtick - talked to dead people, talked to animals, tarot cards, psychic?

[PB]

George wants to set a low bar for his replacement.

[Morgus]

return bumper music was 'Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes', Noory commented 'Every time I hear that song I think of our friend Rosemary Ellen Guiley who passed away.' I remember her name, she's not the Numbers Lady, so what was her shtick - talked to dead people, talked to animals, tarot cards, psychic?

She was just an author of paranormal books that Noory found back when he was the Nighthwak in St Louis.