Facing further budget cuts following the Trump administration’s removal of federal funding for public media, local public radio KCRW has reduced its additional staff by 10%. Among the cuts were several of the station’s best-known music DJs, including Jason Kramer, Jeremy Sole and José Galván. Also as part of the changes, host Elvis Mitchell’s long-running interview series, “The Treatment,” will now air on “Weekend Edition.”
KCRW President Jennifer Ferro revealed some of the changes in a letter to the station’s subscribers and supporters Friday.
“Like so many other public media organizations, KCRW is restructuring parts of the organization in response to our new budgetary reality,” Ferro wrote in the memo. “The result of this restructuring is a 10% reduction in our staff. These decisions were made after careful consideration of how to best position ourselves for the dual challenges of needing to adapt to the way people consume media today and the loss of federal dollars.”
Ferro added: “While this time is difficult, we believe these changes are necessary to ensure KCRW is positioned for the long term. »
In Friday’s letter, Ferro noted that “you will also notice some changes in programming. Look for a new music program on the air in the coming weeks with new DJs and new programming.” She did not name the departing DJs by name, but Kramer, Sole and Galvan confirmed their departures on social media.
“After 27 years, I have unfortunately been fired from KCRW. Along with others of the best DJs in the world,” Kramer wrote. “The station will always have a place in my heart, and every artist I play, I will always be there in another way.”
Galván wrote: “For the past 14 years, I have brought my musical tastes and unique perspective to KCRW. For the first six years, I created and curated a feature called “Pan Caliente” on the music blog, and for the last 8.5 years, I had the chance to be an on-air host. Growing up in Los Angeles, it was a dream to try to be part of the elite DJs of KCRW. Unfortunately, since this morning, I am no longer alive. this dream. I was released, along with a few other resort staples. Throughout my time at KCRW, it was never lost on me that it was a privilege and a pleasure to be able to share music and artists with the world week after week. Radio is my passion and I will have other opportunities to share my tastes in better managed institutions. Thanks to those who supported me on this particular journey… Stick a fork in me, I’m done at 89.9 FM.
As for Sole, he wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I say this, but for the past 18 and a half years I have been so honored and grateful to share time and music with you each week on KCRW. Sadly, that time came to an end today. It has been the greatest honor of my life (so far!) to serenade you and hopefully offer you some semblance of soulful depth and some appreciation for music of all cultures on the planet. I have had the honor of sitting in the same chair as some of the most dedicated and talented radio hosts and DJs, I have been able to bring out awesome new talents like Hiatus Kaiyote, Black Pumas, Michael Kiwanuka and many more with their first radio shows on national radio. Thanks to Anne Litt for believing in me, for welcoming me and trained. Lucky for me, I have other big projects in the works that I can’t wait to share, but as for future music programming, hit me up if you know where I should go next. Onwards and upwards, brothers and sisters. It was an honor to serve you the trays of material and the joints that anoint you.
The NPR station, owned by Santa Monica College, has undergone several rounds of cutbacks in recent years; Last year, KCRW proposed voluntary buyout plans as it faced a $3 million budget deficit. As a result, “Morning Becomes Eclectic” co-host Anthony Valadez and “All Things Considered” host Janaya Williams left the station and the “Greater LA” program was canceled.
In 2020, KCRW cut 20% of its staff, or about 24 people, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which also resulted in a budget deficit.
Here is Ferro’s letter:
I’m writing with an update on KCRW.
Like so many other public media organizations, KCRW is restructuring parts of the organization in response to our new fiscal reality. The result of this restructuring is a 10% reduction in our workforce.
These decisions were made after careful consideration of how to best position ourselves for the dual challenges of needing to adapt to the way people consume media today and the loss of federal dollars.
You will also notice some programming changes. Look for a new music show to air in the coming weeks with new DJs and programming. You’ll now be able to hear The Treatment on Weekend Edition Saturday, where Elvis was featured weekly in decades past.
While these are challenging times, we believe these changes are necessary to ensure KCRW is positioned for the long term.
Regardless, we will remain true to the essence of KCRW: playing a vital role in strengthening community, strengthening connections, and being courageous and inspiring in light of the issues we all face in Southern California. KCRW remains strong with more members than ever and continued audience growth. We just launched our new app with new streams like Dance24 and Vintage24, and we’re very proud of new shows like “The Sam Sanders Show” and “Question Everything,” our journalism podcast from Brian Reed, the creator of “S Town.”‘
My deepest gratitude goes to you for standing up for KCRW when asked, for being a presence at our live events, our on-air programming, and for connecting with us through our newsletters and on social media. We are here to serve and we take seriously our responsibility to keep KCRW as strong as possible for today and the future.
Jennifer Ferro
President of KCRW
