Jim Villanucci, longtime afternoon radio program host on KKOB-AM (770), is no longer with the station, KKOB management confirmed Friday.
Villanucci’s last day on the air was Thursday.
In a statement released Friday afternoon through Agenda public relations firm, Villanucci said: “I loved this job and for nearly 14 years my show was the highest rated locally produced show in the market. That said, times change and for whatever reason my contract with Cumulus Media was not renewed nor was I offered an extension.
“For now, I’m taking time to take a break and contemplate my next opportunity. I’m grateful to my production team and grateful to the thousands of listeners who welcomed me into their daily lives.”
Pat Frisch, operations manager for the Cumulus Media AM stations in the Albuquerque market, as well as Jim Christoferson, the new vice president and market manager for Cumulus, said the company would not comment on personal contract issues.
Frisch said KKOB-AM’s 7-9 p.m. host Scott Stiegler was expected to fill in for Villanucci on Friday, but it was not clear if Stiegler would continue hosting the 3-7 p.m. time slot until a permanent host was named.
Christoferson comes to Albuquerque from Texas, where he most recently served as market manager for Cumulus stations in Abilene and Amarillo. He replaces Milt McConnel, who had been the local market manager for Cumulus for 16 months and a fixture in the local radio market for 27 years.
— This article appeared on page C2 of the Albuquerque Journal
