Chicago Radio: WTMX Fires Kathy Hart

Kathy Hart, one-half of the most successful morning team in Chicago radio history, has been handed her walking papers from WTMX 101.9 FM.

According to Chicago Media Watcher Robert Feder, Hubbard Radio, owner of the HotAC station known as The Mix, announced Thursday that it has severed ties with Hart, who’s been missing since late April from the top-rated morning show she co-hosted for 21 years with Eric Ferguson.

“We wish her all the best as she moves on to the next phase of her career,” said Jeff England, vice president and market manager of Hubbard Radio Chicago. “To our listeners and clients, rest assured that Eric, the morning show team, and all of us at The Mix will continue to serve you as we enter a new era of morning radio on the station.”

Terms of the separation were not disclosed.

Ferguson and Hart were inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame only 10 months ago. Twice since 2013 they were named Major Market Personalities of the Year in the National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi Awards. They’ve been a ubiquitous presence on billboards throughout the city and suburbs for years.

Hart, 53, who’d been incommunicado during what the station called a leave of absence, broke a four-month silence on August 17 when she released a brief statement asking fans to “support and respect the personal nature of why I have been off the air,” and saying: “Please stay tuned as I fully intend to be back on the air!” She did not explain the reason for her absence.

While Hart sat out month after month (through a succession of agents), her absence seemed to have no effect on the station’s ratings. In Nielsen Audio figures released this week, The Mix remained No. 1 with a commanding 7.4 percent share of all morning-drive listeners and an 8.8 share of adults between 25 and 54. By all accounts, “The Eric & Kathy Show“ continued to do very well without Kathy.