The nationwide cuts across Alpha Media properties have continued this week as employees were let go from the company’s clusters in Aberdeen/Grays Harbor WA.
Two names have gone public with their exits.
Kyle Pauley is out as Content Director and morning host at News/Talk 1320 KXRO Aberdeen/101.7 K269FT Hoquiam after nearly 23 years at the station. Pauley just recently completed a term as Mayor of Cosmopolis WA. He shared on Facebook, “It is a somber day as it is my last day at KXRO. This was not a decision of the local radio station and unfortunately a symptom of the nationwide decline of local news reporting and entertainment because of the growth of online media. I cannot be more grateful for over 20 years in this job and the coworkers who I have shared that time with. I will be fine, and will need a few days to process, but I encourage you all to use this as a reminder to support all your local news and media stations through advertising and interaction so that local voices can speak for local people in the future. Signing off for the last time, I’m Kyle Pauley for KXRO News, Aberdeen.”
Across the hall at Country “Kix 95.3” KXXK Hoquiam, Phil ‘The Luceman’ Luce departs as Content Director and morning host after 20 years at the station. Luce shared, “Well friends, I have some bad news.. Effective immediately I am no longer employed by Alpha Media. This was a corporate decision. Local management had nothing to do with the decision. There was nothing they could do. July marked my 20th year doing the morning show on Kix 95.3, and I have enjoyed every last minute of it. I just want to thank all my family and friends for supporting me over the last 20 years, by listening to my show, coming out to events, etc. And to those of you who listened everyday, I can’t thank you enough! I have loved being your morning guy! As far as what I’m going to do, I’m not sure yet, but I will at least get to sleep in tomorrow morning.”
radio1490-1969
All these cuts made by Alpha Media are just a small ripple in a big pond.
All five of their stations in our market have lost all of their on air people except for just two that have to cover everything. Local news and sports play by play have been dropped completely. All the stations are now using similar Westwood formats. Local drops and liners are very unprofessional with lots echo and reverse echo behind them. I thought all of that was left back in the 1960’s . Advertisers have left because there’s no “local” in our local radio. I’m sure the sales team is having a wonderful time explaining why things aren’t just going to be the same anymore. lot’s of dead air is common as the automation isn’t working right on local break rejoins.
Thanks Alpha Media for ruining five perfectly running stations that listeners just hate. Now there’s more reasons to leave terrestrial radio .Maybe their bean-counters need to figure out that cuts in their larger markets mean bigger savings instead of smaller markets where radio is still a personal thing.