Two of the country's most highly-rated radio talk show hosts -- Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity -- may be losing their air time by the end of the year.

In a report by POLITICO, an insider source said that Cumulus Media, one of the biggest broadcasters in the country, has already made a decision not to renew both hosts' contracts. After failed negotiations between Cumulus and Clear Channel [under Premiere Network], the distributor of Limbaugh and Hannity's shows, the broadcast company finally came to the decision. Cumulus and Premiere could not agree on distribution right's cost.

The POLITICO report further noted that Cumulus is notorious for pushing for bargains, while Clear Channel is known to charge big money for top names. The source added that this was not the first time both groups had disagreements on cost.   

While negotiations could not be closed, Limbaugh and Hannity's contracts with the broadcast group hang in the balance. If contract cancellations push through, the two hosts will be removed from more than 40 Cumulus channels.

In the same report by POLITICO, an industry source divulged that Cumulus is now secretly seeking out potential new hosts to fill in some of the vacant airtime that will be left. Existing radio talents may also be shuffled to occupy some of vacancies; among options according to the source are Mike Huckabee, Mark Levin, and Michael Savage.     

A Cumulus spokesperson told POLITICO that it could not give a comment, "Cumulus is not in a position to comment about negotiations with talent under contract, no matter what the rumor of the day might be."