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Two longtime local radio hosts affected by national layoffs
David O'Leary, of Magic 106.7 and Erin O'Malley, of Mix 104.1 were let go after radio company Audacy decided to cut hundreds of staff nationwide.
After a round of layoffs that reportedly affected media markets around the country, two longtime radio hosts in the Boston market are looking for new opportunities: Magic 106.7 morning host David O’Leary and Mix 104.1 midday host Erin O’Malley.
O’Leary, who was at Magic 106.7 for 20 years, confirmed the news in a Facebook post. He thanked his colleagues and expressed optimism about the future.
“Broadcasting is an exciting and often unpredictable industry, and the company is making some cutbacks,” he wrote. “I’m absolutely fine, and excited about what’s ahead for me.”
Mix 104.1 confirmed O’Malley’s departure in another Facebook post. She had been with the station for 24 years.
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“She brought joy and sunshine everywhere she went and we love her so much! She is the living embodiment of positivity and grace and FEEL GOOD STORIES!” the station said in the post.
The cuts were made by radio company Audacy, which also operates the popular local sports station WEEI. About 200 employees were laid off nationwide beginning Thursday, Variety reported.
“Audacy has made workforce reductions to ensure a strong and resilient future for the business. We are streamlining resources to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving media landscape and to best position Audacy to continue serving listeners and advertisers with excellence,” a spokesperson said in a statement to Variety.
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The industry publication RadioInsight compiled a lengthy list of some of the affected employees around the country.
Audacy, the second-largest radio broadcaster in the U.S., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early 2024. The company’s leadership cited decreasing ad revenue when announcing the news. It emerged as a private company last September.
Elsewhere in the Boston media market, New England Sports Network gutted its editorial staff this week, a decision partially connected to Boston Globe Media’s decision to cancel “The Boston Globe Today” TV show and lay off four employees.
Last year, dozens of employees at both WBUR and GBH took buyouts or were laid off in another sign of tumult in the radio industry.
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