Longtime KFI program director Robin Bertolucci and her husband, Don Martin, have recently resigned from their positions at iHeart Media. While Bertolucci describes the departure as mutual, it coincided with rumors of layoffs at the company, including significant cuts to the KFI news department. The move has called into question iHeart’s management decisions and the future of local news coverage on the radio.
The resignations come at a time when iHeart Media is facing financial struggles, with rumors of hundreds of layoffs across the country. The departure of Bertolucci and Martin, who were instrumental in the success of KFI and KLAC, highlight the challenges facing the company.
Critics argue that iHeart’s focus on cost-cutting measures, rather than investing in local talent and programming, has led to a decline in listenership and ad revenue. The dismantling of KFI’s award-winning news department is seen as a betrayal of the station’s legacy and a blow to the industry as a whole.
Industry observers point to iHeart’s reliance on syndicated news operations and lack of investment in local markets as evidence of a flawed business strategy. Calls for deregulation and a return to locally-owned stations have been made, with the hope of reviving the radio industry.
As radio listeners continue to seek alternative entertainment sources, the future of iHeart and other major media companies remains uncertain. The departure of key talent like Bertolucci and Martin signals a broader shift in the industry, with potential implications for the future of local news coverage on the radio.
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