Photo Credit: iHeartMedia
iHeartMedia, the largest radio station owner in the United States, has launched another substantial round of layoffs. These job cuts span multiple major markets, impacting hosts, programmers, executives, and production staff.
The timing of these layoffs comes just ahead of iHeartMedia’s Q3 earnings report, which has fueled speculation about the company’s motivations. Several prominent radio personalities and staff were let go in this wave. Hudson Hott has exited her position as evening host on San Francisco’s Star 101.3 and as a weekend and fill-in host at Los Angeles’ ALT 98.7. In Milwaukee, sources have confirmed to Barrett Media that 97.3 The Game will transition from its sports format into a new music format.
In Tampa, the 103.5 Assistant Program Director and midday host Sarah Jacobs has exited after eight years. 93.3 FLZ’s Katie Sommers, known for hosting her midday show, has also left. Meanwhile in Baltimore, Jeff St. Pierre has confirmed his exit from Country 93.1 after more than 17 years with the station.
In Philadelphia, MutahKnows, the host of the Rise & Grind Morning Show on Power 99 was also let go. “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,” he shared on social media. Sean Brace, Program Director and host of Fox Sports The Gambler Philadelphia confirmed he was among those impacted and thanked the community for support since launching the station in 2019.
Salt Lake City’s Market President Joyce Wirthlin—with iHeartMedia almost three decades—departed as part of these layoffs. The co-host of Rock 106.7’s Hooker & DB Morning Show—Hooker—also exited. Meanwhile, the Greensboro, NC market saw JT Bosch, Senior VP of Programming and afternoon host, leave after leading country station Q104.1 and other cluster stations.
Are you impacted by these layoffs? Reach out to Digital Music News and let us know. As the story continues to develop, more updates about roles and stations impacted are expected. The ripple effects of these cuts will likely continue across the industry as companies adapt to new media realities.
Over the last five years, iHeartMedia has conducted multiple rounds of significant layoffs, largely driven by shifts in operational structure, mounting industry pressures, and ongoing efforts to reduce corporate redundancies and debt. Beginning with a major restructuring in 2020 that centralized operations and led to widespread staff reductions, the company has continued this pattern almost every year, culminating in particularly notable rounds in 2024 and a major wave in 2025, which has been described as possibly the largest yet.
