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| Hedinger and Conway |
iHeartMedia’s NewsRadio WFLA Orlando has ended its only locally focused morning program. “Good Morning Orlando” concluded its final broadcast on Friday, July 31. The show, which aired in the 6–9 a.m. timeslot on 540 WFLF (Pine Hills) and its FM translators and HD channels, is being replaced by syndicated content from Premiere Networks host Michael Delgiorno.
Host Simon Conway, who also anchored afternoons at WHO in Des Moines, is out of the morning slot along with producers Lizzie Steele and Justin Steadman. Conway had assumed the morning duties in late 2023 following the retirement of longtime host Bud Hedinger.
In 2011, Conway joined iHeartMedia’s WHO-AM (NewsRadio 1040 WHO) in Des Moines as the afternoon drive host (typically 4–7 p.m. Central), replacing Steve Deace. The station is a 50,000-watt powerhouse with a storied history (Ronald Reagan once worked there as a sportscaster). His show has been simulcast on sister stations including WMT (Cedar Rapids) and WOC (Quad Cities).
Due to Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses status, Conway became an influential figure for Republican presidential candidates, interviewing many top contenders over multiple cycles (including Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Rick Santorum, and later Donald Trump in-studio). He is known for a blunt, aggressive interviewing style rooted in his British journalism background, a strong conservative perspective shaped by experiences with “European-style socialism,” and a distinctive British accent.
He has also filled in nationally and participated in White House media events. Conway’s U.S. radio career originated in Orlando. In November 2023, he added hosting duties for “Good Morning Orlando” (6–9 a.m.) on iHeartMedia’s NewsRadio WFLA Orlando (540 WFLF and FM translators/HD), succeeding longtime host Bud Hedinger upon his retirement. He primarily broadcast from Iowa while making periodic studio visits to Florida
The local morning program ended on Friday, and was replaced by syndicated content from Premiere Networks’ Michael Delgiorno. Conway has publicly reflected on the end of the show, noting it closed a chapter that began with his original brokered airtime in the early 2000s. He continues his WHO afternoon duties.
The local morning program ended on Friday, and was replaced by syndicated content from Premiere Networks’ Michael Delgiorno. Conway has publicly reflected on the end of the show, noting it closed a chapter that began with his original brokered airtime in the early 2000s. He continues his WHO afternoon duties.