Salem Media Group has announced a major programming shift during the middays on affiliate stations. Charlie Kirk, who is syndicated on hundreds of stations nationwide, will take over for another Salem host in other markets, Dennis Prager. The latter, a longtime Salem host, has been off the air since November 2024, following an accident in his home. His show airs from noon to 2 p.m. (ET) on weekdays, while Kirk's airs from noon to 3 p.m. (ET) weekdays.

Kirk, who has been hosting his nationally syndicated show since 2020, is already carried on 195 radio stations, with a total of 500 affiliates across the country. Since both Kirk and Prager have aired live during the same time slot, the transition for most stations will be seamless, Salem announced on Wednesday. 

Charlie Kirk’s Expanding Influence

Charlie Kirk has built a massive presence in conservative media, boasting over 26 million social media followers and leading Turning Point USA (TPUSA), which has grown into a nationwide movement with 2 million members across 4,000 college and high school campuses. He also makes appearances with several of these groups, including a recent stop in Tennessee.

And that’s on accountability@charliekirk11 pic.twitter.com/4ij0aPCedg

— Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) March 18, 2025

Kirk’s influence extends beyond radio. His efforts in mobilizing young voters were credited as a key factor in Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory. In January 2025, The New York Times referred to Kirk as “the youth whisperer of the American right.”

Salem will continue to syndicate Kirk’s national radio show, as well as his hugely popular podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” which remains one of the top-rated conservative podcasts in America. His program will also remain a staple on the Salem News Channel, airing weekdays from 1 PM to 3 PM ET, with a primetime replay at 7 PM ET.

Dennis Prager to Return with a One-Hour Show

Despite his injury, Prager is not stepping away from radio entirely. He will return to the airwaves for one hour a day from 2-3 p.m. (ET), starting Tuesday, June 3rd.

“Dennis may have some physical limitations at the moment, but his wit, wisdom, insights, and passion are as strong as ever,” said Phil Boyce, Salem’s Senior VP of Spoken Word. “We want Dennis to remain a part of the Salem family, and we want his millions of loyal fans to continue hearing his voice.”

Until Prager’s official return, Salem will continue to feature Jack Posobiec as the third-hour substitute host for both Charlie Kirk and Dennis Prager affiliates. Posobiec, already a major name in conservative media, has a massive following with over 3.1 million followers on X. 

A Look at Prager’s Legacy

Dennis Prager has been a fixture in conservative talk radio for 25 years, originally launching his national show on KABC in Los Angeles before joining Salem Radio Network. In addition to his radio career, he has authored over 10 books, including his widely popular “The Rational Bible” series.

In 2009, Prager and his producer, Allen Estrin, founded PragerU, which has become one of the most influential conservative educational platforms in the country. With over one billion downloads per year, PragerU has reshaped online learning and conservative outreach.

His subscription site, PragerTopia, will continue to be maintained by Salem, where listeners can access archived material and new exclusive content as Prager continues his recovery.

What This Means for Listeners

The transition from Prager to Kirk on these affiliate stations ensures that audiences will continue to receive bold, thought-provoking conservative talk. Prager’s return to radio—though in a reduced capacity—means his insights, “Happiness Hour,” and “Male-Female Hour” will still be part of the conversation.

Meanwhile, Kirk’s growing presence cements his role as one of the most influential conservative voices in media today. With his reach expanding across radio, podcasts, and video streaming, his impact on the next generation of conservative thought is only growing stronger.

Editor's Note: RedState is part of Townhall Media family of sites, which are owned by Salem Media.