Philly Radio: Audacy Parts With WTDY PD, Morning Co-Host

Audacy has parted ways with its program director at Top 40 station 96.5 TDY (WTDY-FM) in Philadelphia as well as that station’s morning show co-host.

Nathan Graham, who in addition to program director was a regional vice president of programming, confirmed his departure from the Philadelphia-based audio content provider on his social media platforms on Monday. He has been with Audacy since 2014, working on air at stations in Springfield, Missouri; Milwaukee and Detroit. He gravitated toward the programming side and landed his current job in 2019.

A source also confirmed with the Philly Business Journal that TDY morning show co-host Raven Brinson was laid off on Tuesday. Her co-host Bennett will host the show solo.

Audacy confirmed Graham’s departure but had no other comment.

Tim Herbster, director of music programming at Audacy’s three Philadelphia music stations, along with B101 (WBEB-FM) and Big 98.1 (WOGL-FM) Brand Manager Bobby Smith will oversee WTDY programming. No decision has been made on Graham’s regional responsibilities.

Brinson, who goes by simply Raven on air, joined TDY in November 2021 after previously hosting middays at iHeart Radio’s KHKS-FM in Dallas.

Similar to what it has done with its alternative and country radio stations, Audacy introduced two national shows for its Top 40 stations in July 2021. Chicago-based Julia Lepidi began airing on 15 stations nationwide, including TDY, and Los Angeles-based afternoon host Josh “Bru” Brubecker picked up 14 new stations. That leaves just the morning show at TDY with a local host.

While some trade publications said there has been talk of a format change at TDY, a source said that is not happening. The station was ranked No. 15 locally in the overall February ratings book, well behind Audacy's KYW Newsradio (now simulcast on 1060-AM and 103.9-FM), SportsRadio 94 WIP, adult contemporary station B101 and classic hits station Big 98.1. TDY was well ahead of conservative talker 1210 WPHT-AM, another Audacy station.

The moves come as Audacy just sold two radio stations in Buffalo, New York, and Memphis, Tennessee, for $15.5 million as part of its plan to pare down assets amid financial struggles.

Audacy has laid off a handful of people this year — including sports producer Tim Kelly — but not it has not been a large event like last August when the company reported it would be laying off almost 5% of its workforce — about 250 people out of around 5,000 employees — after revenue growth slowed in the second quarter.