Corcoran out at K-Hits ...

FOR RELEASE ON: October 26, 2009
Contacts:
John Beck, 314-621-4106
Joan Lee Berkman, 314-726-3484 or cell: 314-799-1204

K-HITS 96 RESTRUCTURES PROGRAMMING TO OFFER MORE MUSIC

Station Releases Corcoran, Kruze and Others to Pare Costs, Boost Ratings

St. Louis, October 26, 2009...... K-HITS 96, St. Louis' only radio station playing exclusively classic rock hits from four decades, today announced a major shake-up in its daily programming. Effective immediately, The Showgram, K-HITS morning talk show, will be discontinued and replaced with an all-music format hosted by St. Louis radio veteran Rick Sanborn. Changes are also being made to the station’s late afternoon show. Long-time station personalities Katy Kruze and Carl “the Intern” Middleman have been let go. While J. C. Corcoran will not be on the air he remains under contract with Emmis Radio until December 2010. Showgram personalities John Ulett and Laurie Mac will remain in mornings on K-Hits with Rick Sanborn.

“These changes are designed to give our listeners what they want, namely more classic rock, all day, every day,” said John Beck, Emmis senior vice president and General Manager. “At a time when our industry is suffering due to the economic recession, it is critical that we find ways to boost our ratings. Playing more music in the morning than any other station in the market is one way we feel we can differentiate ourselves and attract even more listeners.”

“I have nothing but good things to say about J.C., Katy and Carl,” said Beck. JC in particular is a storied & historic personality in St. Louis radio who has done groundbreaking work for years. We will miss him on the air. JC has worked very hard to make this work. Unfortunately, ours is a business driven by ratings, and those ratings indicate that we need to change in order to compete successfully in this environment.”

Beck added he does not anticipate any further personnel changes in the foreseeable future. “We wish J.C., Katy and Carl all the best and wish them much success wherever their careers may take them next,” he said.

K-HITS 96 is owned and operated by Emmis Communications, a diversified media company with radio broadcasting and magazine publishing operations. Emmis owns radio stations in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Terre Haute, and Austin. In addition to K-HITS 96, its St. Louis stations include KFTK-FM (97.1 FM), KSHE-95 and 105.7 The Point.

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To put it in perspective succinctly, this blows.

UPDATE:  KSHE Sales Manager Tom Hoyt was also let go this morning.