Wilmington Radio: Layoffs Hit WDEL, Forever Media

Allan Loudell

Forever Media has laid off several workers, including Allan Loudell and Robin Bryson at WDEL 1150 AM / 101.7 FM.

The layoffs come as revenue drastically drops for many news organizations because local businesses are being closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

"It was a real punch to the gut," said Bryson, one of more than 10 people let go by Forever Media. "I was blindsided. I had no idea this was going to happen to me or any of the other 10 people."

The layoffs occurred at other Forever-owned stations as well.

Forever Media finalized its purchase of WDEL and nine other radio stations in May for $18.5 million.

Bryson said he'd been working from home for the last week and a half when he was told to call Forever Media's corporate office on Thursday. When he did, the 40-year radio veteran was told his job had been terminated.

"The reasons he gave was the company has lost a lot of revenue because of all the businesses shutting down," Bryson told Delaware Online/The News Journal.

Bryson said he'd noticed the number of commercials the station was running were down over the last two or three weeks.

"And it's accelerated a bit when all the nonessential businesses were told that they had to close down," he said. "That's a good portion of who our advertisers are.