It seems every week we’re writing about major layoffs at one of the big radio companies. This time it’s Citadel’s turn on the heels of a $848 Million loss in the fourth quarter of 2007.
So far we’ve heard from DCRTV of 630 WMAL dropping late-morning host Chris Core and Operations/News Director John Matthews as well as the entire airstaff of 105.9 WJZW.
The Atlanta-Journal Constitution brings us news that 12 of the 15 on-air personalities at Country combo “Kicks 101.5” WKHX and “Eagle 106.7” WYAY have been let go. The AJC expects a format flip at 106.7 within the next couple weeks.
Additionally, WABC New York mid-morning host John Gambling and newsman George Weber are out, temporarily ending 83 years of the Gambling family on the air in New York. At sister WPLJ, afternoon co-hosts Rocky Allen and Blain Ensley were let go along with producers Guy Patton and Diana Ferrito. Overnight host Peter Tilden departs KABC Los Angeles along with 11 others and a number of staffers at WLS Chicago have been let go as well. In Dallas, KSCS/KTYS OM/PD Tom Hunter, Production Director Walt Troup and KTYS Promotions Director Kristi Brown were shown the door.
Citadel placed the blame on the losses on lower revenue at their clusters in San Francisco, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Birmingham, Dallas, and Los Angeles. With the exception of Birmingham, which lost top-rated morning hosts Rick & Bubba to Clear Channel last year, all of those markets were acquired from Disney as part of the ABC Radio merger.