Some of the most famous radio personalities in Washington, D.C., are retiring.
According to a memo from the general manager of the station addressed to all workers on Monday and acquired by Axios, eight veteran WTOP employees have accepted voluntary buyouts and will depart the organization at the end of December.
Bringing you the news Many WTOP veterans, including reporter Kristi King, morning anchor Bruce Alan, sports anchor Dave Johnson, and lunchtime anchor Debra Feinstein, are leaving.
Together with the anchors Sarah Jacobs and Joan Jones, digital editors Rick Massimo and Colleen Kelleher also took buyouts.
Radio Insight was the first to report the news. Emails sent by Axios to the affected employees and a WTOP spokesman were not promptly answered.
The broad picture: As economic headwinds start to affect the media industry, it is a blow for listeners and the station.
What they say is this: In a Monday email to the whole employees, WTOP general manager Joel Oxley broke the news and expressed his “most mixed emotions during my time here.”
Context: According to local media analysis company BIA Advisory Services, WTOP earned an estimated $70 million in revenue last year, making it the top-billing radio station in the nation since 2014.
