CMG Makes Cuts As Apollo Targets TEGNA

• Deadline is reporting that Byron Allen‘s Allen Media Group and Apollo Global Management, the majority owner of Cox Media Group, are among the bidders for TEGNA, which operates 64 television and two radio stations in 54 U.S. markets.

With Apollo now tightening its proverbial belt ahead of a possible multi-billion-dollar acquisition of TEGNA, the budgetary axe has sadly begun to fall at Cox Media Group. At press time, no one from the company would publicly comment on these cuts, but as of now, these are the names we have been able to confirm:

• Long Island: Jeremy Rice, longtime PD of Top 40 WBLI/Nassau-Suffolk and CMG Top 40 Coordinator has exited after more than 20 years in the building. He can be contacted at 516-527-7700 or boobatz86@gmail.com.

Also out: WBLI/WBAB News/Traffic reporter Ted Lindner, and Dana “MJ” Parisi, co-host of the Syke & MJmorning show. Syke and Producer Ally remain in place. Parisi has been in the building since Dec. 2014, when she was hired to do nights. She was later elevated to co-host afternoons with Syke, and the duo was moved up to mornings in 2018. Prior to joining WBLI, Parisi was APD/afternoon talent across the street at JVC’s WPTY (Party 105.3). Reach Parisi at 347-739-3549 or DParisi0605@gmail.com.

• Miami: Jill Strada, Director of Operations and PD of Top 40 WFLC (HITS 97.3), who can be reached at JillStrada@gmail.com. Also out: Hip Hop legends Trick Daddy and Trina have exited mornings on WEDR (99 Jamz)/Miami after less than two years. Trick and Trina, both natives of Miami’s Liberty City, joined the station in January 2020.

• Orlando: Matt “Holiday” Beyer, MD/afternoon personality at WPYO (Power 95.3), and weekends on WBLI. Reach him at 631-655-2875 or mbeyer101196@gmail.com.

• Houston: 50-year market fixture Dan Gallo and partner Chuck Akers have exited mornings on Classic Country KTHT (Country Legends 97.1). Gallo, a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, has been in the market since 1971 and previously spent 21 years with CBS Radio. Akers joined KTHT nearly 15 years ago. Reach Gallo at DanJGallo@hotmail.com. Also out: CMG Houston Production/Creative Services Director Jason Skaggs.

San Antonio: Active Rock 99.5 KISS-FM parts ways with Jared Dey, Producer of The Billy Madison Show as well as afternoon talent Randy Bonillas. Dey can be contacted at jareddey@gmail.com and you can get to Bonillas at randybonillasradio@gmail.com.

Note: Dey is married to Karina Farias, who recently resigned as PD/morning co-host at Bonneville Classic Rock KUFX/San Jose and is relocating to the Alamo City next month.

Across the hall on Country cousin KCYY (Y100), Chris Cardenas is out as morning show producer and 7-midnight personality.

If you or someone you know has been downsized from CMG as a result of these actions and would like your information published in RAMP and posted at RAMP247.com, please email Kevin@RAMP247.com.