Long-time conservative radio talk show host Mark Belling will end his radio career on December 30 and transition his show to podcast-only on iHeartMedia in 2025. Belling has been the afternoon drive-time host on WISN-AM for 35 years, and his conservative radio show has been one of the highest-rated local talk programs in the country for years. His radio show, which is converted to a podcast format on iHeartMedia, has also been one of the top 100 shows on the platform for years. 

In a statement, Belling said, “I have decided, with the full support of WISN-AM and its parent iHeartMedia, to transition my program to podcast only effective at the end of this year. There are two main reasons for this. I set an incredibly ambitious goal when I began my Milwaukee show on WISN-AM in March of 1989. I said I wanted it to be the best local radio talk show in America. I feel I have achieved that goal by every possible measurement.”

He continued, “Secondly, the future of spoken word programming on our planet is podcasting. We live in an on-demand world. Driving people to listen to or watch content at specific times is a thing of the past. Podcasting allows total flexibility and gives hosts far more freedom.”

The 69-year-old host has reduced his radio broadcasting schedule substantially since he suffered a stroke in February of 2019. However, he made clear today that he is not retiring. Belling said, “I will be a podcast-only host and expect my already high listenership and profile to grow. This is my new challenge. I believe I have accomplished as much as any on-air radio personality in Wisconsin history and now want to make my mark in the revolutionary world of podcasting.”

The podcast will be released three times per week beginning on May 1, 2025, on iHeart and other podcast platforms. Belling will continue to use the WISN-AM studios to produce the podcast and the content will combine local and national topics like his radio show. 

WISN-AM has not yet announced who will replace Belling for the afternoon drive time, but it will likely be Dan O’Donnell, who hosts a popular morning program on the station and has been the primary substitute for Belling on his days off.