2 Kansas City morning radio shows off the air following layoffs. ‘We got smoked’
Two long-running Kansas City radio shows have been canceled as part of layoffs from parent company Audacy.
The company canceled The Johnny Dare Morning Show on 98.9 The Rock! and The Ponch and Nikki Show on 99.7 The Point. Both shows were unreachable by phone.
Dare posted on his Facebook on Thursday, “No one is more surprised than us that its lasted this long but after 32 years, we got smoked.”
The team will broadcast a final show from 6 to 10 a.m. on Friday, March 7.
Brian “Ponch” Hudgens posted on Facebook, “Thank you all for your support Fam.” Hudgens ran the show with Nikki Vivas and Matt Gapske.
The Rock radio schedule still includes The Johnny Dare Morning Show on the schedule for Monday, March 10, while 997 The Point’s schedule slots music in the 6 to 10 a.m. window previously occupied by The Ponch and Nikki Show.
An Audacy spokesperson said in a statement, “Audacy has made workforce reductions to ensure a strong and resilient future for the business. We are streamlining resources to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving media landscape and to best position Audacy to continue serving listeners and advertisers with excellence.”
The spokesperson did not answer if other shows experienced layoffs and how many Kansas City employees were cut.
Stations in at least 12 cities were affected by the layoffs, according to industry publication Radio Insight.
This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 4:39 PM.
