Riley Couture Returns to Radio After Two-Year Break

"My journey through radio has been filled with so many peaks and valleys," she said, "but through it all, morning radio has always been my passion."

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Riley Couture is returning to radio after a two-year break. She joins the Lite Breakfast Show at Lite 96 (96.3 WLXT Petoskey/96.7 WLXV Cadillac) in Northern Michigan.

What We Know Remote contributor Couture takes the Lite Breakfast Show at Lite 96 (96.3 WLXT Petoskey/96.7 WLXV Cadillac). She’s worked in Tampa, Grand Rapids, Nashville, Memphis, and Atlanta. Before 2022, Couture spent five years at Hot 99.5 Washington DC. There, she co-hosted The Kane Show and Your Morning Show. The DC market hosted her most recent major-market role.

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What They Said Couture framed her return with passion. “My journey through radio has been filled with so many peaks and valleys,” she said, “but through it all, morning radio has always been my passion.” She emphasized her commitment. “I’ve spent more than half my adult life behind a microphone,” Couture added. Peter Garber, Head of Programming at MacDonald Garber Broadcasting, voiced his enthusiasm. He said the station felt “extremely fortunate to have found someone with Riley’s passion and talent.” Mark Elliott kept it simple. “I’m just happy to have someone to talk to every morning,” he noted—a direct take on breakfast radio chemistry.

What Remains Unclear Couture’s start date hasn’t come down yet. The station hasn’t detailed her remote setup specifics. Listeners don’t know how she’ll blend with Lite 96’s current format. MacDonald Garber hasn’t shared performance targets for the breakfast show either.

What It Means This move mirrors a bigger industry shift. Remote arrangements now attract experienced talent back to radio. MacDonald Garber clearly values breakfast show quality. That daypart matters most to radio audiences. Couture’s hire proves: morning personalities still build listener loyalty. Even as streaming fragments audiences, live hosts command attention.

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David Hill
David Hillhttps://barrettmedia.com
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.

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