Cuts hit Boston’s Entercom radio stations hard

Boston Herald ^ | October 16, 2008 | Jessica Heslam

[ConservativeStatement]

WRKO-AM (680) host Reese Hopkins, two of Tom Finneran’s producers, the head of promotions, the head of national sales and a producer for Greg Hill on WAFF-FM (107.3) were axed today, as I report online.

WRKO just sent out this press release that says Hopkins will be replace by the syndicated Laura Ingraham show, which used to air on competitor WTKK-FM (96.9). There’s no mention of the other cuts.

WRKO Begins Airing The Laura Ingraham Show Starting Tomorrow

Boston, MA (October 16, 2008) – WRKO AM 680 today announced that it will begin airing The Laura Ingraham Show on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. beginning tomorrow, October 17th. Ingraham, whose show is syndicated by Talk Radio Network Enterprises, will replace Reese Hopkins. The Laura Ingraham Show is now ranked the 5th largest syndicated show according to Talkers Magazine with over 300 affiliates nationwide. Ingraham has affiliation in 21 of the top 25 metro markets and 42 of the top 50 metro markets.

[ConservativeStatement]

There is a link within the article to anyone who is interested. Ingraham will be on WRKO.

[dougiefresh]

I’m glad Laura is coming back to Boston, but surprised they didn’t move Reese to another time slot. He was my only alternative to Eagan and Browdie (sp).

[PajamaTruthMafia]

I liked Reese but I’m happy to see Laura replace him. I’ve had to listen to her on-line of of Worcester so it will be a lot easier for me now...

[MIchaelTArchangel]

But they kept Finneran the Felon! That of the reason I don’t listen to WRKO on the drive to work.

[MSF BU]

I was listening to Reese this morning. I guess they told him the news after his show was over?

[massgopguy]

NO REESE-NO PEACE! BOYCOTT WRKO!

[massgopguy]

They gave him his ratings book too. He pulled a 3.6. Up from 1.8 in the Spring.

[ConservativeStatement]

I am listening to Howie Carr now. I wonder if he will discuss it.

[nhwingut]

The only black at RKO gets canned?

Where’s jesse and al? Oh, Reese was a conservative. Never mind.

I’ll miss Reese. But I normally listen to Michael Graham over at 96.9 TKK during that time.

[cotton1706]

Laura, Rush, Howie, and Savage. What a lineup.

[Jmouse007]

You are right, they should fire the fellon Tom Finneran. He makes me sick. How dare WRKO have a convicted fellon on air pontificating on the news of the day along with moral and political issues. I also boycott WRKO when he is on and have called sponsors as well.

[Flash Bazbeaux]

Well I think they should bring Arko, the “shy but friendly robot”. Or at least Dale Dorman.

[Jmouse007]

I can't believe Reese Hopkins has been fired. A bunch of SLEEZE BAGS are running WRKO. Reese was a good conservative and he is African American! They keep a convicted fellon and fire the conservative African American... nice, how typical.

Please keep Reese in prayer, he had just bought a house because he thought he had steady employment and would be a regular on WRKO for a long time. He had a very loyal following.

[Flash Bazbeaux]

You can see a picture of arko and his shapely assistant, complete with genuine 1967 hairdo, here

http://www.geocities.com/radiojunkie1/FMyields.html

[martin_fierro]

Ping

[Fractal Trader]

ping

[massgopguy]

MRF, there is a big black elephant in the WRKO studio that no one is supposed to notice. The Listener’s Appreciation Night on November 14 at Anthony’s of Malden is STILL on. Reese is staying here and will get on the air soon. Reese is actually renting a half a house but he still needs income. He will still be making appearances on CNN.

[raccoonradio]

thanks for ping—yes, suspected something could be up given
the bad news at Entercom lately.

[Andy'smom]

That sucks for Reese, it should have been the Felon.

[Fractal Trader]

But why did they get rid of Reese? He was the only one outside of Howie who had any promise and, as a black conservative, he had syndication potential. I guess they’re giving up completely on original content during the week outside of Howie and the felon. As much as I have listened to Michael Savage, I think that he often has decent points, but he is so pontificatory and holier than thou that he grinds on my nerves even outside of listening to his nasty voice.

They have some interesting content on the weekends, some good (like pundit radio) and some bad (Rule Number One: Don’t Lose the money!).

[raccoonradio]

Agreed. btw as of now Reese is still on the RKO site. Meanwhile the Herald says Severin won’t go on the Imus show because Imus was very rude to him...Imus did apologize though.