The afternoon slot on Los Angeles’ KLOS-FM was left vacant on Friday as hosts Kevin Ryder and Doug “Sluggo” Roberts were unexpectedly let go. This decision to eliminate the drivetime show at KLOS is part of a series of cuts made by owner Meruelo Media across its local radio stations, including KPWR-FM “Power 106,” KDAY-FM, and KLLI-FM “Cali 93.9.”
Earlier this year, Meruelo Media made significant cuts by removing all midday hosts from its L.A. stations, as well as letting go of some part-time and off-air staff. This included longtime midday host Marci Wiser at KLOS, who had been with the station since 2015. In February, DJ Felli Fel, an afternoon host at Power 106 since 2000, was also released.
Kevin Ryder took to social media to announce his and Roberts’ departure, mentioning the irony of KLOS launching a “Where’s Kevin?” marketing campaign with Honda on the same day they were fired.
Rumors have been circulating about Meruelo’s intention to sell the stations, following the sale of the Arizona Coyotes hockey team and L.A. TV station KWHY-TV (Channel 22) to the Church of Scientology. Ryder expressed hope that KLOS would be sold to someone who values the station.
“Kevin & Sluggo” debuted on KLOS in 2021, a year after Ryder’s morning show on KROQ was abruptly canceled by owner Entercom. Roberts had been hosting solo in the afternoon on KLOS since 2019. The duo’s partnership was a reunion of sorts, as Roberts had a long tenure at KROQ, where Ryder and Gene “Bean” Baxter achieved success with the legendary “Kevin & Bean” morning show.
Ryder and Roberts have a history that dates back to their time at Phoenix’s KZZP in the 1980s. Their partnership at KLOS was seen as a commitment to live and local programming by Meruelo Media, as stated by President and CEO Otto Padron.
As a regular guest on “Kevin & Sluggo,” this reporter was scheduled to appear on the show before the hosts’ departure. It now seems unlikely that the appearance will happen.
