CAMARILLO, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 18, 2013) - Salem Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: SALM), a leading U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher targeting audiences interested in Christian and conservative opinion content, announced today that national talk radio star Sean Hannity will be joining its NewsTalk station in Dallas, 660 AM The Answer, effective January 1st, 2014. Hannity will be aired live from 2pm to 5pm CT.

Hannity is the 2nd most listened to radio talk show host in America, heard daily on over 500 stations. He is also host of his own TV program seen nightly at 10pm ET on the Fox News Channel. Hannity launched his nationally syndicated radio show from WABC in New York the day before 9/11 on about 50 stations, and soon became the fastest growing nationally syndicated talk show in history.

"After 5 years I am finally re-joined with the monster I helped create," said Salem Communications VP Director, Spoken Word Format Phil Boyce. Boyce hired Hannity when he was the program director of WABC in 1996, moved him into afternoon drive in 1998, and spearheaded his national launch in 2001, before leaving WABC in 2008. "When the opportunity arose to place Sean on one of our top NewsTalk stations in Dallas, I had to ask the question 'are you kidding me?' 660 AM The Answer Dallas has already substantially benefited from hiring the highly popular Mark Davis from WBAP and Jon David Wells from KLIF. We anticipate continued strong audience growth as we have experienced over the last year with the addition of Hannity to our excellent line up of local and national hosts."

"This is going to be one of the best lineups in all of talkradio, with Bill Bennett early mornings, Mark Davis 7 to 10am, Mike Gallagher 10am to Noon, Dennis Prager Noon to 2pm, Hannity 2 to 5pm, and Michael Medved 5 to 8pm," said Boyce. Jon David Wells, who has been holding down the fort in the 2 to 5pm slot, will move to 8pm. "Jon David has done a great job for us and I am delighted he will be staying with the station."

"660 AM The Answer Dallas is very happy with the addition of Sean Hannity to our already outstanding lineup of local and national hosts. His favorability and style will fit nicely with our stimulating talk and breaking news currently offered to our Dallas-Ft. Worth listeners!" said John L. Peroyea, Vice President-General Manager

Salem's commitment to the NewsTalk format is in full effect in Dallas, where 660 AM The Answer can be heard on 3 different FM translators. In addition to adding Hannity to the lineup, the station is also making major improvements in local news, traffic, and weather coverage.