KXNO host Trent Condon broke his silence Wednesday. The KXNO host addressed devastating layoffs that gutted the station’s morning and afternoon drive programs following Tuesday’s programming day on the station.
What We Know: iHeartMedia began executing a company-wide reduction in force, eliminating KXNO’s entire morning and afternoon drive teams in the process. Moreover, the cuts removed the voices responsible for localizing content for Iowa’s passionate sports fans. Additionally, Wednesday marked what was supposed to be longtime host Ken Miller’s final show — coinciding with the 30th anniversary of sports talk radio in Des Moines. In addition, Miller chose not to appear on his final program on KXNO. Condon is an independent contractor who purchases the two-hour block from 12pm-2pm cst on KXNO, and is not an iHeartMedia employee.
What They Said: (All quotes from Miller & Condon on KXNO Wednesday)
KXNO Host Trent Condon shares his emotions of the KXNO layoffs yesterday: “My heart aches for the people, my friends, and for my colleagues. For the people that made the station what it is. The people that lost their jobs yesterday as corporate came down with a mandate of the layoffs. People that worked incredibly hard to give you listeners a product. To localize what we’re doing, and give you a voice. Regardless if you’re a Hawkeyes, Cyclones, Bulldog, or a Panther fan. Your voice to keep things local, and that was taken away.”
KXNO Host Trent Condon doesn’t feel a return is possible this time around at KXNO: “If you remember when this happened the last time, five years ago. The coming back, bringing things back. The hope that possibly could this happen again, I don’t think that’s going to happen at that level.”
KXNO Host Trent Condon on why Ken Miller decided not to attend his final show on KXNO celebrating the 30 year anniversary of sports talk in Des Moines: “Today was supposed to be Ken’s [Miller] final day. Ken decided not to come in. Standing up for his friends and colleagues, doing it in a way that he said he just didn’t feel comfortable. He talked to everybody. People tried to talk him into coming on here today to do his final show. On the anniversary of 30 years of sports talk radio starting in Des Moines. A place where people said it could never work, and it worked for 30 years. Ken said no.”
KXNO Host Trent Condon says the layoffs are just part of the industry: “They all deserve better. This was a station that was bringing in revenue. This is not a station that is hemorrhaging money. I know the financials, because I work in the financials. From the corporate, it’s not about Des Moines or Sioux City. It’s not about the little places. As acquisitions, changes, and mergers happen, all the big things. All the things that all of us, regardless of your line of work. It doesn’t matter where you work, or what you do for a living. We know what happens in these kind of spots. That’s where we are.”
What Remains Unclear: The full scope of iHeartMedia’s nationwide cuts remains uncertain. Furthermore, Condon suggested a rebound is unlikely for the laid off talent. In 2020, KXNO re-hired Travis Justice, Heather Burnside, and Sean Roberts of The Morning Rush, and Chris Williams and Ross Peterson of The Sports Fanatics, along with program director Andrew Downs. The re-hires followed a round of layoffs by iHeartMedia that faced backlash from station listeners and partners. Whether KXNO can restore any local programming in the vacated under current corporate priorities is an open question.
What It Means: As iHeartMedia continues with it’s latest round of layoffs, Des Moines is losing it’s lone local sports station. This is the second wave of layoffs to hit the brand in mass in less than six years. Moreover, timing of layoffs is never easy. However, the timing couldn’t have been worse for longtime listeners of the brand and sports radio in Des Moines. Miller’s decision to stay away from his final day shows the respect he had for those that unfortunately will no longer be heard on KXNO.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
