In a sudden turn of events, iHeartMedia began announcing major layoffs on Monday afternoon. The cuts impacted hundreds of people at radio stations over 10 cities, the company’s largest round of layoffs since 2020. Among hubs like Boston, Houston, Tampa and Washington D.C., Cleveland found itself in that batch of cities.
The Alan Cox Show airs on Cleveland’s 100.7 station every Monday through Friday from 2-6:30 p.m. The comedic talk show has featured Alan Cox alongside comedian Bill Squire for the past 13 years, as well as comedian and co-host Mary Santora. Both Squire and Santora were let go by the media group in today’s layoffs.
“What a day,” Squire began in a video that he posted to Instagram this afternoon. “The Alan Cox Show is now just Alan. iHeart[Media] has done a large restructuring, and as a result of that, I am a casualty.”
“I, too, was let go from iHeart[Media] this morning due to restructuring," Santora wrote in her own Instagram post. “They say it came down from a corporate level and had nothing to do with our ratings, performance, etc...I have no answers.”
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While both Squire and Santora comment that the news is shocking, given the show’s current success, they call it just another part of the radio industry, plus an opportunity to focus their careers in standup comedy. Santora previously announced that she would be stepping away from The Alan Cox Show, before she learned of the immediate layoff.
“It only confirms my decision to put all of myself into [standup]. I’m just going to be doing it six weeks earlier than anticipated,” Santora wrote.
“I love Cleveland. I love my time on the radio,” Squire said. “The good news is I’m some that’s always been doing other things than just the radio,” noting his career in standup comedy as well as his podcast The Cleveland America Show.
While Cox himself nor the station have shared any comment on the situation, Squire notes that the short-notice deficit certainly will impact the station for the time being. In place of Squire and Santora’s usual show time, Squire said the station will air “Best Ofs.”
“Love you all so much and hope you will stick around for all the big things to come,” Santora said. “They are already in the works.”
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