Santa Monica College’s Public News/Talk/AAA 89.9 KCRW Santa Monica/Los Angeles cut 10% of its staff on Friday.
As part of a memo to staff, KCRW President Jennifer Ferro said, “Like so many other public media organizations, KCRW is restructuring parts of the organization in response to our new budget reality. The result of this restructuring is a 10% reduction in our staff. These decisions were made after careful consideration of how best to position us against the twin challenges of needing to adapt to how people consume media today as well as the loss of federal dollars.”
At least three hosts have exited the station as Jason Kramer, Jeremy Sole and José Galván all announced their departures.
Jason Kramer, who had been hosting a Sunday night show from 8-10pm, said, “After 27 years, I have unfortunately been let go from KCRW. Along with some other of the best DJs in the world. The station will always have a place in my heart, and every artist that I play I will still be there in another way.” Kramer joined the KCRW lineup in 1997 and has also worked at 95.5 KLOS and Fox Sports Radio in production roles. His primary gig is as a music supervisor for film and TV.
Jeremy Sole has preceded Kramer on Sundays from 6-8pm. He shared, “It’s with a heavy heart that I say this, but for the past 18 and a half years I’ve been most honored and grateful to share time and music with you every week on KCRW. Unfortunately that time has come to an end, as of today. It’s been the highest honor of my life (so far!) to serenade you and hopefully to provide some semblance of soulful depth and some appreciation for the music of every culture on the planet.”
José Galván had been hosting on Monday nights from 10pm to 12am and curating the station’s Pan Caliente digital feature focusing on Indie Spanish music. He wrote, ““For the past 14 years, I have contributed my musical taste and unique perspective to KCRW. For the first six, I creared and curated a feature called ‘Pan Caliente’ on the music blog, and for the past 8.5 years I was lucky enough to be an on-air host. Growing up in LA, it was a dream come trye to be a part of the elite DJs of KCRW. Sadly as of this morning, I am no longer living that dream. I was let go, along with some other staples of the station. Throughout my time at KCRW, it was never lost on me that it was a privilege and a pleasure to be able to share music and artists with the world week after week. Radio is my passion, and there will be other opportunities for me to share my taste at better run institutions. Thank you to those who supported me on this particular journey… Stick a fork in me, I’m done at 89.9 FM.”
Ferro also noted that “The Treatment” hosted by Elvis Mitchell on Saturday mornings since 1996, will not become part of Weekend Edition Saturday. She also says there will be a new on-air music schedule in the coming weeks with new DJs and a new lineup.
