Audacy ceased daily hosted programming on its LGBTQ+ “Channel Q” network right before Christmas.
As first reported by AllAccess, “Channel Q” is now airing only “Our House Music Mix” around the clock.
“The Morning Beat” hosted by AJ Gibson and Mikalah Gordon was the last of the hosted programs on “Channel Q” airing weekdays from 6-10am Pacific/9am-1pm Eastern. Both Gibson and Gordon announced they were let go on December 23.
Gordon had been with the network since it’s official launch in October originally co-hosting mornings with Queer Eye For The Straight Guy’s Jai Rodriguez. Gibson joined her in February 2020. Gibson previously hosted the syndicated television program “Hollywood Today Live”, has served as a guest co-host on shows such as “Access Hollywood Live” and “The Talk” and is an author and public speaker. Gordon is also a singer and actress who competed on the fourth season of American Idol in 2005.
Gordon wrote on Instagram, “After four years of hosting the first national LGBTQ morning show, I am officially heading into 2023 unemployed. BUT HEAR THIS. I simply share that to say, we are all just humans, and IG Is a highlight reel. No need for sympathy cuz she is a resilient bitch, but, just to say, life happens, and it’s okay!! And scary! And okay! And scary. And…. Okay. ❤️ One thing about this industry, it is exhausting. But, incredibly rewarding. The work I have been able to do for four years, along with the people I brought along for the ride, was worth it all. To my best friend AJ and my dear boss Brian Holt, I am so proud of the work we have done. ”
The network’s afternoon show, “Let’s Go There” hosted by Shira Lazar and Ryan Mitchell” ended in September. All other programming had been gradually dropped from its original lineup.
Audacy launched what was originally branded as “Out Now Radio” on 97.1 KAMP-HD2 Los Angeles in August 2018 before expanding it to four additional markets and adding a full lineup of hosts for its official launch that October. In November 2018, it rebranded as “Channel Q” and launched on its first non HD2 signal in Palm Springs on 103.1 KQPS. The network currently airs on HD subchannels in 33 markets, KQPS, and a translator in Seattle.
