Cumulus Media has initiated a restructuring across its Westwood One division that has led to multiple layoffs and the cessation of distribution of at least two shows.
Affiliates of the daily First Light with Michael Toscano and the weekly Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton have been informed that Westwood One will cease distributing the shows at the end of July. Affiliates of First Light are being offered America in the Morning as a replacement.
Helton intends to move Country Countdown USA to a new distributor following the weekend of July 30. He told his Country Aircheck, “We’re looking forward to continuing weekly conversations with the format’s biggest stars, my co-hosts. Thanks to everyone who has been part of a great 30 years at Westwood One, but George and I could not be more excited about the future of this show.”
We have been told that some prep and production services will be cut as well, but haven’t confirmed which ones.
Among the known staffers exiting Westwood One with the changes are VP/Country Formats Nick Fox, Culver City studio Operations Manager Jack Silver, Classic Country afternoon host Mark Stevens, and 24/7 networks Affiliate Relations manager Dan Pearman.
Fox moved to Westwood One in 2019 after previously programming WXBM Pensacola FL. Prior to joining WXBM in October 2018, Fox was APD at Saga’s “Beaver 100.3” WVVR Clarksville TN and previously worked at CHR 97.5 WABB Mobile and Cumulus’ revised 97.5 WABD.
Silver joined Westwood One in 2012 originally serving as PD for NBC Sports Radio. He previously programmed Rock 95.5 KLOS, Talk 790 KABC, and Hot Talk 97.1 KLSX Los Angeles.
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com