April 17, 2017
Morning show host Anthony Gargano returned to the 97.5 The Fanatic airwaves Monday after taking last week off in the wake of colleague Maureen Williams' dismissal from the station.
Speculation over the reason for Gargano's absence can be put to rest after the host addressed the situation with listeners.
Here's a transcript of Gargano's statement (h/t Crossing Broad):
Before we get started, I just want to let people know that MCW will not be with the show anymore. It was a decision that was made not by me, but by management. I’m against it. I thought it was a ridiculous move to save a few dollars. And I hate it. But again, we’ll do our best to do shows. She’ll be missed. She was a great worker, she was terrific, and she’ll be missed.
97.5 The Fanatic, formerly owned by parent company Greater Media, was part of a portfolio of 17 stations sold last year to Beasley Media Group, which posted a 90 percent increase in year-over-year revenue since the acquisition, according to the company's fourth-quarter earnings statement.
On a stand-alone basis, however, revenue from the former Greater Media stations declined by 6.1 percent, or about $2.3 million, during the same period. About 60 percent of that decline was attributable to the Philadelphia market.
The local station's morning show ratings remain well behind Gargano's competition at his longtime, former employer, Sportsradio 94WIP. Angelo Cataldi's future with WIP remains undecided after more than 25 years on the air. His contract is up at the end of the year.
