After seventeen years at iHeartMedia CHR “103.5 Kiss-FM” WKSC-FM Chicago and over seven years as part of the now syndicated “The Fred Show”, Kevin ‘Rufio’ Santiago has exited the company.
Rufio joined WKSC-FM as an intern in 2008 and rose through the ranks at the station previously spending time in overnights and then nights until joining The Fred Show in 2017.
In a vey long post on social media, he went into detail to explain his exit. Rufio said, “After 17 years at iHeartRadio and 7 years as part of The Fred Show, my journey with the company came to an end when I sought a pay adjustment that reflected my contributions and responsibilities. With my contract set to expire in January, I believed it was an appropriate time to discuss a compensation increase, especially as the show continued to expand into new markets and demand more from its team. However, the company decided not to negotiate and offered a flat contract with no pay increase, extending my current salary for another three years.”
He would continue, “While many assume working on a successful syndicated morning show equates to financial stability, that wasn’t my reality. I struggled to make ends meet and lived paycheck to paycheck, earning far below what could be considered a livable wage for the workload and expectations. When I communicated that I couldn’t accept the proposed terms, there was no further discussion. The initial conversation took place just before Christmas, and I received the final decision after New Year’s.”
He says Fred attempted to mediate the situation and he departed with no severance.
The Fred Show entered syndication through Premiere Networks in May 2023 on iHeart’s “G105” WDCG Raleigh NC. The show added two more markets earlier this month with its debut on “Party 107.7” WMOV-FM Norfolk VA and 97.1 KZHT Salt Lake City.
