Notice: This article is pure speculation on the future of the Tom Leykis Show. This website does not have any inside or confirmed information on the following discussion.  Tom Leykis will make an official announcement on Thursday, March 29th. 2001.

     Westwood One Radio (division of CBS radio) which syndicates "The Tom Leykis Show" and employ the staff of the program as well as Tom Leykis himself, may not be renewing the contract with the talent of the show, Tom Leykis. Tom Leykis was originally hired by Westwood One in 1994 as a liberal and democratic view to contrast the lopsided saturation of conservative talk show hosts. Westwood One has renewed Tom Leykis' contract once during that time period and is currently set to expire on April 1st. 2001. However recent speculation points to Westwood One not renewing Tom's contract.

      The "Tom Leykis Show" has slowly evolved to what can be considered a different format over the years. Leykis' subject matter more closely resembles Howard Stern than Rush Limbaugh. Sexual content, naked women, dating (dating = porking ; Leykis 101) advice, and verbal thrashings now dominate the majority of subject matter instead of abortion debates, religion in schools, and political candidate discussion. Has Westwood One made a decision based on subject matter and show orientation? Tom Leykis prides himself on the fact that his ratings have steadily increased in most markets he has been on in over 6 months and skyrocketed in a few other markets. If the program is not to continue on Westwood One, it is not because the ratings and earnings are not at an all time high. 

     So, to figure out why the program may be dropped by Westwood One, some things that have not yet been determined need to be disclosed. Did Westwood One offer a contract at all? Leykis commented on the show several weeks ago that he had not seen a contract yet. Did Westwood One offer a new contract but couldn't come to terms with Leykis? This is a possibility. Leykis signed his last contract 4 years ago. Since then he has originated such gimmicks as Flash Friday, Taken Out, and Leykis 101 to add to his already diverse arsenal. Obviously his asking price is above his current contract rate and Leykis always requires creative freedom to be a part of his contract. Westwood One may not have been prepared to offer him what he feels he is worth. 

      No matter what the reason, the result will be harsh reality for all parties involved. Tom Leykis' age begins to become a problem for his current format. He is not at the same point he was when he was released from KFI in Los Angeles while being #1 in ratings in 1994. While Tom Leykis is a resilient and focused individual who knows more about radio and targeting specific demographics than 95% of programming managers the timing and options base will be tough. Westwood One will definitely suffer from losing several advertisers, prime times, and markets after reporting record earnings (and credits internet company advertisements for their record year, most of which advertised during... Tom Leykis). But who will suffer the most? Most likely the average listener or fan. The chances are that the show will not be available in most of the current markets for some time and there is a chance he will choose to work locally over syndication.

     Options: Tom Leykis has come to love the city of Los Angeles and has made that no secret. Most likely he would prefer to stay in the city of angels and therefore limiting his options with most radio syndications operating out of New York. The few based in Los Angeles or with studios in Los Angeles either are not interested in his current format or are too small and have no capital to offer him a contract or secure airtime in major markets. On the local side Leykis may have to settle for a smaller contract if he were to work in a local market. Only KLSX looks to be a competitor to offer a local contract he may accept. However, alternate contracts may not have even been discussed as Leykis is more than likely prevented from negotiations with anyone until his current contract has officially ended.

      Tom Leykis will make an "OFFICIAL" announcement on his future and the future of the program on the air during the 3rd hour of the program on Thursday. (3rd Hour Thursday is usually the first hour of Leykis 101) 

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