Santa Monica public radio station KCRW is parting ways with more than a dozen employees and ending the popular “Greater LA” podcast.
KCRW-FM (89.9) host Steve Chiotakis, who created “Greater LA,” announced in X (formerly Twitter) that the final episode of its daily news show would air on Thursday, as “management will end it after almost five years.”
“I'm so grateful for the time we had, the wonderful people who helped put it together, and all the ears that listened,” he wrote. “Thanks for everything!”
Chiotakis' announcement comes as KCRW prepares to reduce its workforce through voluntary departures, including “Morning Becomes Eclectic” co-host Anthony Valadez and “All Things Considered” host Janaya Williams, The Times confirmed. More than a dozen other staff members also accepted purchase packages offered by the station, and most of those employees will depart this month.
KCRW chief content officer Arnie Seipel addressed the end of “Greater Los Angeles” in a Wednesday staff memo reviewed by The Times. For years, “Greater Los Angeles” has analyzed national news – from rent increases to homelessness to workers' rights – through the lens of Los Angeles, but has struggled to ensure an “audience sustainable on digital or streaming platforms,” the memo said.
Underscoring the need for local journalism, Seipel said the work of “Greater LA” reporters will continue to be available on digital platforms, newsletters and other programs with larger audiences, including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.” Seipel added that KCRW will continue to invest in its Report LA and USC Luminary scholarships.
“Greater LA” is the only show that will be eliminated, KCRW station president Jennifer Ferro confirmed Wednesday.
KCRW host Anthony Valadez will part ways with the radio station this month.
(FilmMagic for HBO via Getty Images)
With “Greater LA” ending and Williams leaving her position, Chiotakis will return as the local host of “All Things Considered.”
“I'm incredibly sad it's ending, but humbled by so much loyalty to our little show,” Chiotakis. continued in X. “And to the people who helped make it and put it together: nothing but love and admiration from me for your hard work and dedication. Thank you so much.”
In early December, KCRW said it was facing a projected $3 million budget shortfall and needed to reduce its staff. Employees were offered severance packages and station executives have since revealed that around 16 staff members had accepted the offers, or around 10% of the station's workforce.
“These changes are difficult, but they are also the best way to ensure that KCRW can continue to fulfill our mission in an increasingly competitive media environment,” KCRW management said in a statement to The Times. “We are grateful to everyone who decided to take the opportunity to follow a different path and are excited about the future of this great station.”
KCRW is known for its local programs, including the music show “Morning Becomes Eclectic,” Madeleine Brand’s current affairs “Press Play” and the weekly political series “Left, Right & Center,” along with national offerings from NPR.
Like other Los Angeles-area media outlets, the station has been recovering from a sharp reduction in movie studio advertising during strikes by members of the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television. and Radio Artists, which have been extended since May. until early November.
KCRW, which has an annual operating budget of about $23 million, relies on contributions from its members and corporate sponsorships, including studios seeking to promote its projects.
Before the acquisitions, KCRW employed about 155 people. Ferro previously told The Times that KCRW had offered the acquisitions in hopes of avoiding layoffs. The acquisitions were offered to a large group, including managers, production engineers, technical directors and content producers.
A year ago, station managers had forecast a shortfall of about $1.8 million, which they planned to cover with funds from their reserves. But as 2023 progressed, the projected gap grew to nearly $3 million, largely due to the length of the strikes.
The move comes nearly four years after KCRW reduced its staff by about 24 people through acquisitions.
The Santa Monica station is not the only local media that has recently been forced to lay off staff.
Last summer, Pasadena-based public radio station LAist reduced its staff by 10%, or 21 positions, citing a revenue shortfall, including a projected loss of studio advertising. That station's call letters are KPCC-FM (89.3).
A budget shortfall led the Los Angeles Times to cut more than 70 positions last June, including much of its audio production staff. The Times suffered layoffs again late last year, laying off more than a dozen additional people, including nine staff members at the Los Angeles Times Studios, including two managers and an audio engineer.
