Another Round Of Downsizing At iHeartMedia
• UPDATING: RAMP has confirmed that iHeartMedia is undergoing another round of layoffs. No word yet on how extensive these cuts might be, but here the names we have heard so far:
• San Francisco: Hudson Hott exits her dual role as 7-midnight personality on Hot AC KIOI (Star 101.3)/San Francisco and weekend/fill-in talent on KYSR (ALT 98.7)/Los Angeles, where she formerly did middays. Hott started her radio career in Honolulu, doing overnights at 98 Rock, and later transitioned over to Alt sister KUCD (Star 101.9), where she spent the next 20 years as morning co-host alongside Scotty B. Reach out to Hudson at star101.9@gmail.com.
• Philadelphia: MuthaKnows exits the Rise & Grind Morning Show on Urban WUSL (Power 99)/Philadelphia. The news was shared in an Instagram post that reads: “Who gets to come back from vacation and hear the dreaded ‘we’re going in a different direction’ speech? Yours truly, after 14.5 years of faithful service. Well, I guess that’s a wrap for Muthaknows on Power99. On the bright side, God’s got my back, and I’m stoked to see what’s next. Big thanks to all the awesome listeners and supporters who’ve had my back all these years.”
• Across the hall on Fox Sports affiliate 1480 WDAS (The Gambler), Sean Brace has departed his dual role as Program Director and afternoon talent. Brace posted his news to Facebook, commenting, “Started Fox Sports The Gambler in 2019 & built up an incredible team, partnerships & friendships over the years. (Damn, even made it through a pandemic). With that, my time with iHeart has come to an end. Industry can be tough at times. We move forward no matter what. I want to thank all the listeners, viewers & most importantly, my guys who worked with me over the years. Thank you.”
• Baltimore: Jeff St. Pierre is out as APD/afternoon talent at WPOC (Country 93.1). St. Pierre joined WPOC as morning show producer in 2008 after a stint with Greater Media Philadelphia. He was named MD in June 2015 and moved from morning co-host to pm drive last year. St. Pierre shared his news in a short video posted to Instagram.
• Tampa Bay: Country WFUS (US 103.5) has parted ways with APD/midday talent Sarah Jacobs. Jacobs joined WFUS as midday personality in 2017 and was named MD in June 2019. She earlier spent seven years at WCTQ/Sarasota. She can be contacted at OnAirSarah@gmail.com.
• Katie Sommers has exited her longtime midday position at Top 40 WFLZ.
• Salt Lake City: Joyce Wirthlin exits as Market President after nearly three decades of service. Wirthlin has spent her entire media career in the Salt Lake City market, starting as Sr. AE with Citadel in 1993. She joined the former Clear Channel SLC as VP of Sales in 1998, was promoted to SVP of Sales in 2021 and named Market President in January of this year.
• Down the hall, Hooker is out as co-host of the Hooker & DB morning show on Mainstream Rock KAAZ (Rock 106.7).
Greensboro: JT Bosch exits as PD of Country WTQR, Classic Rock WVBZ, & News-Talk WPTI, and PM drive on WTQR and WNCB after exactly six years. Bosch, who originally joined the company in 2001, earlier served as APD/MD/afternoons for Country WKKT (96.9 The Kat)/Charlotte and APD/MD at WMZQ/Washington. Earlier in his career Bosch was VP of Programming for iHeartMedia Austin and Regional Program Manager for iHeart Harrisburg, PA. He began his career at WUPE/Pittsfield, MA. Bosch can be reached at jt_bosch2002@yahoo.com.
• Little Rock: Kevin Cruise exits as morning host on KDJE (100.3 The Edge).
If you or a colleague has been adversely affected by these cuts, and would like your contact information shared with the industry, please email Kevin@RAMP247.com.
