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Anthony Cumia

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Anthony Cumia is a prominent American broadcaster, podcaster, and "shock jock."

Anthony Cumia
Anthony Cumia

A shock jock is a radio personality known for using controversial or provocative topics to attract listeners. Cumia has spent decades navigating the changing landscape of media. His career has transitioned from traditional terrestrial radio stations to satellite radio and internet-based video platforms. He is currently the host of The Anthony Cumia Show on WABC's Talkradio 77. He also produces content for the online platform Compound Censored. His career is marked by significant professional highs and serious legal and social challenges.

Cumia's entry into the radio industry began with a chance encounter involving a song contest. He and his brother, Joe, entered a parody contest held by radio personality Gregg "Opie" Hughes. They recorded a track titled "Gonna Electric Shock OJ" as the group Rotgut. The song was a success on Hughes's program, leading to a live studio performance in September 1994. This connection led Cumia to produce comedy segments for Hughes's morning show. By March 1995, the duo launched the "Opie and Anthony" show at WAAF in Boston, Massachusetts. This partnership would define much of his professional life for the next two decades.

The "Opie and Anthony" show underwent several shifts in location and format. In 1998, the duo moved to WNEW in New York City, where they became a top 10 afternoon drive show within two years. The show eventually achieved national syndication, reaching 17 stations across the country by mid-2002. In 2004, the program moved to XM Satellite Radio, a subscription-based service. During this era, the show was also simulcast on nine terrestrial radio stations owned by CBS Radio. The program featured various co-hosts, including comedian Jim Norton, who joined the team in 2001. This period established Cumia as a major figure in national radio.

Cumia's career has been interrupted by significant controversies and disciplinary actions. In April 1998, he and Hughes were fired from WAAF following an April Fool's Day prank. The prank led listeners to believe the Mayor of Boston had died in a car accident. Later, in 2002, the show was canceled on Infinity Broadcasting due to a segment involving simulated sex in St. Patrick's Cathedral. A more permanent shift occurred on July 3, 2014, when SiriusXM fired Cumia. The company described his social media posts regarding a Black woman as "racially-charged and hate-filled." These posts followed an incident where Cumia claimed he had been assaulted in Times Square.

In addition to professional setbacks, Cumia faced serious legal issues regarding domestic violence. In December 2015, he was arrested following an incident involving his girlfriend, Danielle Brand. Prosecutors alleged that Cumia had choked Brand and caused her physical injuries, including a broken rib. In June 2016, Cumia entered a plea deal and pled guilty to third-degree assault and criminal obstruction of breathing. As part of this legal outcome, he was required to complete a six-month batterer's intervention program. He also underwent alcohol abuse treatment and spent time in a rehabilitation facility in Florida. These events represent a difficult period in his personal and public life.

Following his departure from satellite radio, Cumia pivoted toward independent digital media. He began broadcasting from a basement studio through a service called Ustream, titled "Live from the Compound." This venture eventually evolved into Compound Media, a subscription-based network. Throughout this time, he worked with various collaborators, such as comedian Artie Lange and Dave Landau. Even after facing permanent suspensions from social media platforms like Twitter, Cumia continued to build his own audience. He has merged his interests with other networks, such as Gavin McInnes's Censored.TV, to form Compound Censored. This move demonstrates his ability to adapt to the rise of independent internet broadcasting.

Cumia's influence extends into various other media ventures and cultural moments. In 2001, he co-hosted "XFL Gameday," a pregame show for the XFL football league. This show was produced by NBC-owned stations and aired in New York. He also participated in the "Traveling Virus Comedy Tour" during 2006, 2007, and 2008. In 2018, he released a memoir titled "Permanently Suspended," which detailed his rise and fall in the radio industry. Recently, his return to mainstream radio has seen renewed interest. In March 2025, his show on WABC began being syndicated to stations across the nation.

Anthony Cumia at XM studios in 2005
Anthony Cumia at XM studios in 2005
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