Chicago Urban Radio On-Air Shakeup

5-20-15

Two Urban radio stations in Chicago, owned by two different companies, have each lost two on-air talents... and the changes are very much connected. iHeartMedia's WGCI and Crawford Broadcasting's WPWX will both be using fill-ins for middays and afternoons for a while, as both stations currently have no full-time employees in those roles. WGCI has released theirs, while it appears WPWX's missing employees are heading to WGCI.

At WGCI-FM, midday host Loni Swain and afternoon host UB Rodriguez have both been released. A spokesperson for iHeartMedia Chicago issued the following statement to Radio Ink Wednesday morning: "Loni Swain and UB Rodriguez are no longer with the company. It's our policy not to discuss employee matters for privacy reasons."

WPWX-FM said goodbye to Frankie Robinson as its midday host and afternoon host Tone (aka Tone Kapone, aka Anthony Mays). Both voluntarily exited and parted company with Crawford Broadcasting on the best of terms.

WPWX-FM consultant Tony Gray, of the Chicago-based Gray Consultants, confirmed to Radio Ink the exits of Frankie Robinson and Tone Kapone. Gray says that iHeartMedia Chicago approached both talents and made them a much higher offer than the smaller Crawford Broadcasting could match. iHeartMedia Chicago will be placing these two on WGCI-FM in the very near future, Gray said. Both exiting employees are wished the best with their new jobs.

(5/20/2015 8:12:19 PM)
How come when people get the boot, it isn't expressed in the sappy BS lingo used at other times? You never read: "X has been let go from the iHeart family." These places aren't very good families!

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Big Shakeup At CBS Sports Radio Network

12-4-14

Major programming changes will take place at CBS Sports Radio after the holidays. The two-year run of the morning show made up of Tiki Barber, Brandon Tierney, and Dana Jacobson will come to an end. They are being replaced by Brian Jones and Gregg Giannotti. Tiki Barber and Brandon Tierney will now be heard from 9 a.m.-12 noon, minus Jacobson. Jim Rome (noon-3 p.m.) and Doug Gottlieb (3-6 p.m.) will continue in their current time periods. Damon Amendolara moves from overnights to the 6-10 p.m. slot, followed by Scott Ferrall at 10 p.m. The network adds Amy Lawrence from 2-6 a.m. Lawrence previously hosted a weekend show for CBS Sports Radio.

(12/5/2014 2:19:50 PM)
I do not know what has motivated your reorganization, but John and Andrew are the best there are; even if you do not agree with John's views half of the time, at least Andrew keeps an even keel. And, Dana was number one followed by Tiki of the preceding trio. Why is she out also. I hope your next act doesn't drive me away from CBS.

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Shakeup At Clear Channel Riverside

12-6-2012

Radio Ink has learned that long-time Riverside/San Bernardino Market Manager Bob Ridzak and veteran programmer Jesse Duran were both let go by the company yesterday. A call to the station confirmed they were both gone. It was Ridzak's second stint in the market. Both were at least 10-year veterans of that cluster. We left a message on Ridzak's cell phone but have not heard back. Clear Channel owns three AMs and three FMs in the market.

(12/6/2012 12:20:39 AM)
I worked for Bob Ridzak in sales. One HELLUVA guy, and leader!... Bob rolls up the sleeves, and gets right out there, and fights the fight with you! I think others at KGGI would agree. ... Clear Channel's loss will be someone else's terrific gain.

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Big Shakeup at Katz

Radio Ink has just confirmed that several people have been let go by Katz Media Group, including Brian Knox, the Senior Vice President of Corporate Diversity. The others on the Katz chopping block today include Gerry Boehme, Robert Damon, Jim Beloyianis, and Michael Spiesman, President of Continental Television Sales.

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Cumulus Shakeup In Birmingham

2-23-2012

Bill Thomas has been fired as the market manager for Cumulus in Birmingham. Thomas was part of the Citadel team before the company was purchased by Cumulus. That market became an instant migraine for Cumulus. Popular sports talker Paul Finebaum (pictured) filed suit against the company claiming he was pressured (by Citadel) into signing an unfavorable amendment to his employment contract by threatening to pull his popular show from the air if he refused. Cumulus has since fired back at Finebaum with their own lawsuit.

The back-and-forth between employer and employee has been plastered all over the local newspaper as well as the radio trades for months. Thomas and Finebaum are friends, or at least were before all the lawsuits made this a very sticky situation. To make the story even more interesting Cox is ready and waiting for Finebaum to finish his deal with Cumulus. They have stated they would like him to work for their sports station across the street.

Cumulus confirms regional manager, John Walker, will now be overseeing both the Huntsville and Birmingham markets. Thomas did not return a call to his cell phone last night.

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