Hubbard Radio’s New Country 103.1 WIRK has renewed contracts for morning hosts Tim Leary and Chelsea Eaton. The West Palm Beach duo will continue leading the station’s drive-time programming going forward.
What We Know: Leary joined WIRK in June 2019, arriving from sister station 98.9 The Bull in Seattle. Before that, he built his career across multiple markets, including Cleveland, Providence, and Reno. Eaton, meanwhile, has been part of the WIRK family since 2012. She returns to mornings after a midday stint from 2016 until Leary’s arrival.
What They Said: WIRK and WUBE-FM Cincinnati Brand & Content Director Grover Collins made clear why the renewals matter. “Tim and Chelsea are the heartbeat of New Country 103.1,” Collins said. “Their connection with the audience is real, authentic, and incredibly rare in today’s landscape.” Market President Elizabeth Hanna added that the show has become a vital part of the West Palm Beach community.
What Remains Unclear: The length of the new contract terms has not been disclosed. Additionally, no details have emerged regarding any format or programming changes tied to the renewals. It’s also unclear whether the station plans any additional staffing moves alongside this announcement.
What It Means: Stability in morning drive is a competitive advantage. Retaining an established team with deep community ties signals Hubbard’s confidence in its West Palm Beach strategy. Furthermore, the dual renewal reinforces the value of long-tenured talent in an era when radio consolidation has accelerated turnover. For WIRK, keeping this chemistry intact is clearly a priority.
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David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.
