After twenty eight years programming Entercom Alternative 106.7 KROQ Pasadena/Los Angeles, Entercom Los Angeles SVP/Programming Kevin Weatherly has resigned.
Weatherly joined KROQ in 1992 and also programs Variety Hits “93.1 Jack-FM” KCBS-FM and CHR “97.1 Amp Radio” KAMP and previously held corporate programming roles for CBS Radio. Prior to joining KROQ in 1992, Weatherly served as Music Director of KZZP Phoenix, KMEL San Francisco, and KIIS-FM Los Angeles and APD and PD of “Q106” KKLQ San Diego.
With Weatherly’s exit, Entercom Alternative Format Captain and “Alt 92.3” WNYL New York PD Mike Kaplan will add oversight of KROQ to his duties. Kaplan previously programmed iHeartMedia’s competing “Alt 98.7” KYSR Los Angeles from 2013-2017 and has also programmed “96.5 The Buzz” KRBZ Kansas City and “107.7 The End” KNDD Seattle in the format.
At KCBS-FM, Ralph Stewart, who serves as Operations Manager of the station and Program Director of sister Rhythmic AC “94.7 The Wave” KTWV, will add the PD duties for “93.1 Jack-FM“. Stewart served as APD of KTWV from 1990-2003 and then returned to the company as Programming Coordinator of KCBS-FM in 2006 and then OM in 2010. He added the KTWV programming duties in 2014. He has also served as Program Director of All Comedy Radio and Smooth Jazz 106.9 KNUA Seattle.
Entercom will shortly begin a search for a new search for a program director for CHR “97.1 Amp Radio” KAMP. In the interim, Classic Hits “K-Earth 101” KRTH PD Chris Ebbott and KAMP MD/afternoon host Yesi Ortiz will oversee the programming. Ebbott previously programmed KAMP from July 2017-June 2018.
Entercom, a leading media and entertainment company and the #1 creator of live, original, local audio content, today announced new leadership updates for its Los Angeles cluster as Kevin Weatherly steps down from his role as Senior Vice President of Programming for Entercom Los Angeles. Mike Kaplan, Senior Vice President of Programming, will assume Brand Manager responsibilities for KROQ (KROQ-FM), in addition to his current roles as the Company’s Alternative Format Captain and Brand Manager for ALT 92.3 (WNYL-FM) in New York.
As part of the leadership changes, Entercom has named Ralph Stewart as Brand Manager for 93.1 JACK FM (KCBS-FM). Stewart previously served as Operations Manager for 93.1 JACK FM since 2010 and is currently the Brand Manager for 94.7 The Wave (KTWV-FM). Additionally, Chris Ebbott, Brand Manager, K-EARTH 101 (KRTH-FM), and Yesi Ortiz will serve as interim programming leaders for 97.1 AMP Radio (KAMP-FM) while a national search is conducted. Ebbott has led K-EARTH to record breaking ratings over the past five years and Ortiz was named Music Director for the station in August 2018 and is also the host of the station’s afternoon show.
“Mike’s name is synonymous with alternative music and I’m delighted to welcome him back to Los Angeles. Along with Ralph, Chris and Yesi, this dynamic team will usher in the future of our brands in this important music market,” said Jeff Federman, Regional President, Entercom. “I’d like to thank Kevin for his years of dedicated contributions to our premier collection of brands and our company. He has certainly made his mark here and we wish him the absolute best in his new role.”
“I’m thrilled to expand my role to lead programming efforts for the World Famous KROQ, a fixture and taste maker in the Los Angeles music scene,” said Mike Kaplan, Senior Vice President of Programming, Entercom. “I look forward to working alongside Jeff and the team to continue delivering exceptional content and unforgettable live events for our loyal listeners.”
Kaplan returned to Entercom as Senior Vice President of Programming and Brand Manager for ALT 92.3 in May 2018 and was named Alternative Format Captain in 2019. During his first stint with the Company, he served as Program Director for sister stations 107.7 The End (KNDD-FM) in Seattle and 96.5 The Buzz (KRBZ-FM) in Kansas City. Other career highlights include Program Director roles for iHeartRadio’s KYSR-FM in Los Angeles and Nassau Broadcasting’s WJLK and WBBO.
It’s most definitely still speculation right now, but both All Access and RAMP mention that Mr. Weatherly might be heading to Spotify.