HOT 97 simply dropped huge information about their first-ever each day stay TV information present beginning January 2026. The brand new present, “HOT 97 Information,” will likely be hosted by Lana Harris, Ronndell Smith, and Million Connally-Cooper.
They’re calling the present a mixture of Hip-Hop information, leisure, and tradition that can air nationally on HOT 97 TV and stream throughout all HOT 97 TV and digital platforms starting in January 2026. As well as, HOT 97 TV can be increasing its native footprint with HOT 97 Information – Atlanta,
HOT 97 says their new information present will deliver “uncooked, unedited” protection of Hip-Hop and tradition. The nationwide model begins in January 2026, they usually’re additionally doing an area Atlanta present.
The information didn’t play out nicely for New Yorkers, who criticized the station on Instagram, the place offended feedback flooded in.
“Wait how come we don’t have Hot97 TV within the Tri State Space? Why simply Atlanta?” one consumer requested. “Has there ever been extra of a predictable fail,” one other wrote.
The transfer comes simply weeks after the station axed Ebro Darden’s morning present that ran for 13 years. Ebro bought the boot in December 2025 after his “Ebro In The Morning” present was canceled.
He mentioned HOT 97 now not cares about Hip-Hop or the Black neighborhood and believes the station simply desires to earn cash from rich mates.
“We’re residing in a time proper now the place they don’t need these voices persevering with to shed gentle, particularly in native situations,” Ebro mentioned. “I feel in case you look across the nation proper now, what number of native voices, influential voices are being platformed, as a result of native politics is de facto the place this s### occurs, man. I do know we spend lots of time speaking concerning the president and all this different sort shi, however native politics is de facto the place the s### occurs that might have an effect on your life.”
The radio vet mentioned his outspoken views on politics and authorities have been detrimental to enterprise. He claimed that each one the media firms are scrambling to resume their licenses and that his controversial takes damage their probabilities.
Ebro isn’t sitting round feeling sorry for himself, although. He continues to function Apple Music’s World Editorial Head of Hip-Hop and R&B. He hosts “The Ebro Present” on Apple Music 1 and has his personal podcast.
DJ Akademiks and Drake have been completely happy to see Ebro go. However followers of the morning present have been shocked by the sudden cancellation.
The timing appears apparent: out with the outdated, controversial host, in with contemporary faces who gained’t disrupt the station’s enterprise offers.
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