WBAL NewsRadio cut more than a dozen staffers Thursday as the station reshaped its weekday lineup. Angelette Aviles said the changes raise concerns about the future of local radio.
What We Know: Angelette Aviles had spent just over one year in afternoon drive at WBAL NewsRadio before the station ended her 2-6 PM show Thursday. She was among more than a dozen staffers who exited the Baltimore station during the cuts. Meanwhile, WBAL removed T.J. Smith’s midday program and replaced it with The Glenn Beck Program from 10 AM to Noon and The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show from Noon to 3 PM. Aviles’ departure leaves another local voice outside the station’s weekday lineup.
What They Said: “I’m incredibly proud of what we built. We grew the audience compared with that time slot in previous years, including growth among women and younger listeners. But media is changing dramatically. Revenue models are changing, and advertisers have more choices than ever about where to spend their dollars. Having spent much of my career on the other side in PR, marketing, and media buying, I understand that reality. What concerns me most about yesterday is what we may be losing along the way: local connection.” -Angelette Aviles
What Remains Unclear: WBAL hasn’t publicly detailed the full scope of Thursday’s cuts or outlined whether additional programming changes could follow. The station also hasn’t explained how it plans to balance nationally syndicated programming with its remaining local content.
What It Means: Aviles’ comments highlight a larger challenge facing News/Talk radio as operators weigh local programming against syndicated shows. For WBAL, the latest changes significantly reduce local weekday programming while adding established national personalities. Still, Aviles’ focus on local connection could resonate with listeners who value Baltimore-specific coverage and conversation.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.