After a round of layoffs at iHeartMedia affected leadership and sales, some members of the programming staff throughout the country are starting to be let go, too.
Included in the round of cuts are Intern John at HOT 99.5 in Washington, D.C. and Z104.3 in Baltimore, sources confirmed to Barrett Media. Intern John & Your Morning Show aired from 5-10 AM in each market. Intern John signed a contract extension with iHeartMedia in November. At the time, he revealed that the deal was for three years.
It is unclear how many members of the six-person show have exited. However, Mike Klein has been added to morning drive at HOT 99.5 in D.C. following the show’s exit per the station’s website.
Elsewhere, Kentucky/West Virginia Director of Country Programming Rachel Elliott has exited the company. She oversaw 10 country stations in the region after taking on the role in 2024.
In Connecticut, 105.9 The River midday host Allison Demers announced her last day with the radio brand was Monday.
“Initially, I was very sad, but I know God has more plans for my life as He does for everyone,” wrote Demers. “I just need to be still and trust Him. Remember how He was there for you in the good times, and He will be with you in the bad times too.”
98.1 The Breeze and Classic Hits 103.7 Program Director Ricci Filiar has exited the iHeartMedia San Francisco cluster. He spent 16 years programming the brands. Previous stops include working in Los Angeles at 1110 KRLA and Mega 100, among others.
In West Palm Beach, ‘Meagan Spaghetti’ Lahti is out as afternoon host at Wild 95.5 and midday host on 98.7 The Gator and Wave 92.7 Stuart/Vero Beach. Lahti shared the news of her departure on Instagram.
“I am no longer with iHeartRadio. To my listeners you are no longer subject to my lame jokes. Truly, thank you for letting me be a part of your mornings, middays & evenings for all these years. New chapter ahead. Stay tuned,” wrote Lahti via her Instagram story.
iHeartMedia Colorado Springs Marketing and Promotions Director Aaron Kinnischtzke has announced his exit. He originally joined the company in 2021 as the Promotions Coordinator for the cluster.
In Seattle, Rock 102.5 producer Ryan Gibbons is out after two years with the station. Gibbons joined in July 2024 to produce the BJ Shea and Sarah morning show. He held the same role at Rock 102.5 from 2013 to 2016 with other previous stops in Philadelphia and Milwaukee.
“All good things must come to an end. Today was my last day with iHeart and KZOK. I wanted to reenact this scene but held back. Was this run anything like I imagined? NAH! What’s next? Who knows,” wrote Gibbons on Facebook.
Also in Seattle, Marc James departs his midday show at sports radio KJR after just over a year with the radio station. KJR has not commented on the departure, but has updated their on air lineup to signal the changes. Currently, KJR has listed a 10am-12pm show in James’ place which could lead to potential other changes with the lineup dayparts.
James formerly worked in Tampa, Fla. at SportsTalk Florida 820 WWBA and started his radio career from the Miami-Fort Lauderdale marketplace in 2004. Throughout his career, he has hosted afternoon drive on WFNZ in Charlotte and morning drive on 92.9 The Game in Atlanta.
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Intern John was a wonderful man and an amazing host. I will no longer listen to IHeart radio 99.5. He had so many followers, it was horrible that just yesterday he was gone with no explanation. Mike Klein does not cut it.
Ditto!!
Me too! I took it off my favorites on my radio!
Ditto to all that. He just doesn’t have a radio voice.
IJ and the Morning Show was the best in the mornings. I can’t believe they did this to them!! He does so much for the community and brings in so many listeners from across the states. Hot 99.5 will not be the best anymore now that they are gone. Horrible!!!
It is sad to hear my favorite morning show is not going to be on the air anymore – I enjoyed their stories and war of the roses segments – it was fun to listen while driving to work – i will miss the whole lot. I hope they were compensated well. I will find another station to listen to or follow them if they start on their own.
agree! turned it on this morning and quickly turned off. feel like I lost some good friends!
Agree with both of you! Such a good show and so sad after so many years! They were family. 🙁
Right I didn’t understand what was going on Monday I was so confused the show is so boring now I hate it
So sad that the morning show with Intern John is no longer. You should have let the listeners know as we are loyal fans. You have lost another fan. I will no longer listen to any I heart radio station if this is how you roll. Peace out !
ONE HUNDRED PERCENT. I LISTENED TO THEM EVERY MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK. I’M SOOO PISSED ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m pissed off. Turning the channel and not going back. I hope John and crew end up on another format. I will follow. 99.5 you screwed up.
I was shocked to not hear Intern john’s voice. Thought maybe they took a vacation. Can’t believe he was let go. New guy just isn’t making my morning commute better. Time to find another station!
I’ve been listening since the start of IJ and Your Morning Show. Feels like I lost real friends. Ironic that iHeartRadio has lost the “heart” in Radio with all their local and regional layoffs. Instead we’re getting nationally-syndicated Ryan Seacrest who knows (or cares) nothing about local culture. And who the heck is Mike Klein?!?
Totally agree! Theyve been part of my mornings since Kane! I was absolutely shocked to find outbthey were gone! No warning, no nothing! It does feel like losing friends. No more 99.5 for me.
I am through with I Heart Radio. Their replacement for the Intern John show is nothing more than a disc jockey. Your morning show with John, Sos, Rose, Eric and Hoody was so much more. They care about the community and their listeners. I hope they will find another station. I have deleted the I Heart Radio app from my phone.
I will boycott everything I Heart. Intern John and the whole group were wonderful people. He did so much for the community and people in general. There is no loyalty in anything anymore. The new guy stinks and I will not listen to 99.5 because of what they did in a time when everyone is struggling and that morning show made us laugh and uplifted every morning. Shame on I Heart.
MJ in the midday in Seattle was an amazing show. What are they going to replace him with an intern or fill ins? Just horrible!
Seems strange that they would cut such a popular show and wondering if something else happened. If not, the higher up’s are are making a huge mistake. Hope IJ lands somewhere else…..that is the station I will be listening to.
I have listened to the morning show since Kane back in 2008. I devastated by this decision. I looked forward to hearing their voices every day on my way to work and this new Mike guy isn’t cutting it. What a terrible decision for iHeart Radio. I hope it comes back to bite them.
Echoing the sentiments here. I enjoyed the show greatly and it was part of my morning routine even to listen to recaps on Saturdays. I won’t be listening any more.
I cannot believe they let IJ leave!! That’s just crazy! Bring him and SOS back!!! I will NEVER listen too 104.3 or 99.5 AGAIN!!! Wow, Iheart, why?? well soon you’ll have no one listening! John and SOS was the best,,See Ya
Please bring Intern John and Sos back. The new stuff is terrible. I won’t listen anymore.
Getting rid of Intern John? Y’all are idiots! You already have 5 times the commercials of other stations. No-one is listening to Hot 99.5 now. You just destroyed yourselves.
you guys are dumb for letting them go and getting rid of that show, between the “roses” and “asking for a friend” there were no other shows like it. you guys are dumb dumb dumb. John and Rose were fantastic. I guess I’ll go back to listening CD’s on my morning commute.
Would love to know where intern John is going. Will not listen to 99.5 anymore
loved the show with all of them. I know some people didn’t care for John at times but they all made the show good with their chemistry. As a long time fan I’m out 😪.
I listened to the show every morning and since the layoff I no longer listen to 99.5 They had such a big following not that the station cares but shame on you. I will find another station. Thank you heart radio
I will never listen to 99.5 again!!! I have listened to this station for years and thought I would be able to continue to listen to it. It is disgusting that you can just change the whole program without warning. Intern john and his cohosts were the best team, I feel like i have lost my morning friends. I hope you lose all of the followers of The Intern John morning show… I can promise you, you have lost this one!
This new morning show is so boring. The intern John show was the best. I loved listening to the War of Roses and Asking for a friend. They made my mornings. You are going to lose a lot of listeners.
I will no longer listen to hot 99.5. I think k what they have done has ruined the morning. I have removed that station from my saved stations.
I just closed iheart radio and I will be discussing with my husband deleting his app and using Amazon even if I got pay for it. Hot 99.5 sorry Fred has sucked since this.
I had been wondering why there wasn’t a new war of the roses. Put the radio on this morning and there was some weirdo on it. IHeart deleted
BIG mistake letting go of Intern John and others! Owners think they know what’s best but they don’t. Wrong move made! Bye Hot 99.5!