Saga Makes Significant On-Air Cuts In Columbus

Saga Communications is making talent changes across its Columbus OH cluster.

Dino Tripodis and Stacy McKay have departed mornings at AC “Sunny 95” 94.7 WSNY. Both were on their second stints at the station.

Tripodis originally hosted mornings at WSNY from 1994 to 2018 and then returned in July 2021. He is also an actor, producer, and stand-up comedian. McKay hosted mornings alongside Tripodis from 1994 until 2007. After a brief stint at Christian AC “104.9 The River” WCVO, McKay returned to mornings at WSNY in 2010.

Also departing with the show were longtime cluster News Director Clark Donley and producer Greg Hansberry. Donley spent 31 years at WSNY and was also previously a sports anchor for WSYX-TV. Hansberry served as producer from 2012-14 and again since 2016. In between he co-hosted mornings at WCVO. Prior to arriving in Columbus, Hansberry worked at WIBC Indianapolis, and both WLUP and CBS Radio Chicago.

‘Andre Styles’ Friederich exits as cluster Events Director and morning host at Hot AC “Mix 107.9” WVMX Westerville. Friederich joined the cluster as a promotions assistant and fill-in host in 2010 before rising to Events Director the following year. He added afternoons at WVMX in 2013 and moved to mornings in 2015. He shares on Instagram, “After 14 years, my time with Saga and Mix 107.9 is unfortunately over with. To say I’m shocked is an understatement. The amount of years, days, hours I put in. A lot of hours not at home. Going in when sick, late at night, early in the morning, during Covid and more. Some said the face, voice and heart beat of Mix. It sucks! But I met so many great people, artists, bands. The memories are forever. I don’t know what’s next but my family and I will make it through somehow.”

The cuts follow ‘Miss Lisa’ Bryant exiting afternoons at WSNY and mornings at Classic Hits “Rewind 103.5/104.3” WNND Pickering/WNNP Richwood at the end of March. Bryant joined WSNY in 2016 after long runs at stations in the market including Country 92.3 WCOL and “K95.5” WHOK-FM.

Saga is seeking a new morning host for WNND/WNNP. The posting says, “We are looking for someone that does not talk to the audience but connects with it. Someone who enjoys getting to know the listeners and making appearances. Someone who loves social media, getting in front of a camera and becoming the face of their station. Someone who is not afraid of tough competition.”

This story first appeared on radioinsight.com