Santa Monica public radio station KCRW is in a funds crunch, parting methods with a dozen staffers and ending the favored podcast ‘Better LA.’
Host Steve Chiotakis took to Twitter (X) to announce the ultimate episode of the present he helped create will air on Thursday, citing “administration ending it after almost 5 years.” Chiotakis thanked his followers, saying “I’m so grateful for the time we had, the fantastic individuals who helped put it collectively, and all of the ears that listened. Thanks for all the things!”
The Los Angeles Instances experiences that Chiotakis’ departure comes amid voluntary departures as KCRW tightens its funds strings—ousting a number of fashionable broadcasters within the course of. Anthony Valadez and Janaya Williams are two who will exit. The report additionally suggests greater than a dozen staffers have accepted buyout packages provided by the station.
The Instances says the tip of ‘Better LA’ was mentioned Wednesday morning in a employees memo despatched by KCRW Chief Content material Officer Arnie Seipel. Seipel says regardless of overlaying tales that impression Angelenos domestically, the present has struggled to discover a “sustainable viewers on broadcast or digital platforms.” The work will nonetheless be out there digitally and for now, ‘Nice LA’ is the one program on KCRW that has acquired the ax.
“These adjustments are arduous, but in addition the easiest way to make sure KCRW can proceed delivering on our mission in an more and more aggressive media surroundings,” KCRW administration mentioned in a press release made to the Instances. “We’re grateful to everybody who selected the chance to pursue a special path, and we’re enthusiastic about the way forward for this nice station.”
KCRW has an annual working funds of round $23 million, counting on member contributions, sponsorships, and studio bookings to advertise their initiatives. After a funds defict ballooned to $3 million in December 2023, employees have been provided buyouts. KCRW says it suffered from a pullback in movie studio promoting in the course of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which lasted from Could 2023 to November 2023.