Legendary California radio station abruptly fires all on-air staff

A legendary Southern California classic rock station is pulling the plug on its DJs, laying off its entire on-air staff as it flips to a fully automated, music-only format.

KCAL, a longtime staple of the Inland Empire radio dial, announced the sweeping changes will take effect August 1, with parent company Anaheim Broadcasting Corporation promising listeners “nothing but music all day across the Inland Empire.”

Chief Operating Officer Kelly Sanders said the DJ-free format will mean fewer interruptions and more nonstop classic rock, according to a social media announcement.

“KCAL has a longstanding history in the Inland Empire, and this next chapter builds on the station’s strong rock heritage,” Sanders said in a news release, per the Orange County Register.

“We rebuilt KCAL around the music our listeners grew up on, the songs and the artists that made classic rock, and we built it right here at home.”

“KCAL will deliver a focused, consistent listening experience with broader appeal for both our audience and advertising partners,” Sanders added.

The move leaves more than a dozen on-air talent out of work like John DeSantis, Nikki Preston, and Patrick Tish.

DJ DeSantis took to social media to post about the bloodbath calling the layoffs shocking.

“Well, it’s finally our turn. This morning the ownership of KCAL released the entire air staff,” DeSantis wrote.

“Yes, all of us.”

“They will be moving to an automated, human-less format. To say this is shocking is an understatement.”

“I have a lot to process, and will be saying more shortly,” he added. “But for right now, I just want to thank all of you for letting me be part of the KCAL family. It has been a radio dream come true. You will always rock.”

The layoffs included longtime favorite like veteran Daryl Norsell, who’s been with KCAL for 42 years.

“Yeah, it’s true. The entire KCAL air staff was let go today. Patrick in the Morning, Nikki Preston, John DeSantis, and myself,” Norsell wrote. 

“Plus our awesome weekend crew. After an amazing 42 year run with the station, the last 36 in the Afternoon show, I can’t be anything but grateful.”

The layoffs extended to the weekend crew and fill-in staff like Syeda Jafri, Jeremiah Paul, and Rogelio Orozco, Steve “Razz” Brazill, Mike “Mike Z” Zara, Kelli Cluque, among others, per the report.

“It was an incredible 20 years as a weekend and fill-in DJ on 96.7 KCAL Rocks,” Jafri said. “From Ozzy, Quiet Riot, Tommy Chong, I’ve had the privilege of meeting some of the most fascinating people and rock stars, but even radio has a shelf life.”

It is unclear exactly how many other people at the station lost their jobs. The Post reached out to KCAL for more information.