Philly Radio: Cataldi Says Age Discrimination Forced Out Producer

Angelo Cataldi, the legendary former host of 94WIP’s morning show in Philadelphia, HAS stirred controversy by alleging that the departure of his longtime producer, Joe Weachter, from the station was a case of age discrimination. 

Cataldi made these remarks during an appearance on Howard Eskin’s Saturday morning podcast. The discussion, which initially focused on general radio industry trends, took a sharp turn when Cataldi brought up Weachter’s exit, framing it as emblematic of broader shifts in corporate media priorities.

Cataldi, who retired in February 2023 after over three decades at WIP, didn’t hold back. 

He described Weachter, who had been his producer for nearly the entirety of his tenure, as “a great producer and a terrific guy” whose departure was “just wrong” and “awful.” He asserted that Weachter, who retired officially on March 20, 2025, after 38 years at WIP—35 of those producing the morning show—was pushed out due to his age and salary. 

“It was, in my estimation, age discrimination,” Cataldi said. “He was let go because he was older, and on a ledger sheet he made a certain amount of money, and the corporate people couldn’t justify it.” He lamented the shift to a “different world” in radio, one he believes no longer treats employees fairly, prioritizing cost-cutting over loyalty or merit.

Weachter’s exit came amid Audacy’s post-bankruptcy restructuring. The Philadelphia-based company, WIP’s parent, emerged from bankruptcy in early 2025 and promptly cut around 200 jobs nationwide, including Weachter and another WIP veteran, Dave Breitmaier. While Weachter’s departure was publicly framed as a retirement—complete with a tribute on his final show and induction into the WIP Hall of Fame—Cataldi’s comments suggest it was less voluntary than portrayed. Sources close to the situation hint that Weachter, the station’s longest-tenured employee, may have been gently nudged out, with the “retirement” label softening the narrative.

The claim has sparked debate among Philly radio fans and insiders. Some see Cataldi’s outspokenness as a defense of a loyal colleague, consistent with his reputation for bluntness. Others question whether it’s a definitive case of age discrimination or simply a business decision in a struggling industry—Audacy’s layoffs hit across age groups, after all.