Lamont Hollywood, a prominent Bay Area radio host, has sharply criticized his former employer, Cumulus Media, following his layoff after 37 years on air. In a social media post, Hollywood blamed corporate restructuring and significant cutbacks at the parent company for the end of his career.
"What we are all witnessing is the tragic consequences of debt-fueled media consolidation," Hollywood stated on Facebook. He characterized large corporate conglomerates as entities that "bought up hundreds of radio stations using mass leverage, only to spend the next decade slashing real human talent, gutting local newsrooms, and replacing live voices with syndicated feeds and automated voice-tracking just to pay down interest on executive balance sheets."
Hollywood suggested that his job, and that of other talent, was eliminated to "preserve executive salaries and bonuses." He expressed frustration with corporate leaders who he believes view radio stations as mere spreadsheets, disregarding the medium's reliance on "authentic human connection, community trust, and undeniable personality."
Cumulus Media, which owns 394 radio stations, filed for bankruptcy protection in March, citing a restructuring deal to eliminate $697 million in debt. The company has pointed to competition from digital audio and streaming platforms, shifts in the advertising market, and declining radio audiences as reasons for its financial challenges. This marks the second time Cumulus has filed for bankruptcy, with the previous instance occurring in 2017.
Hollywood's 37-year tenure included hosting the "Lamont and Tonelli" morning show on 107.7 The Bone for many years. His co-host, Paul Tonelli, departed the show two years prior. After the show's end, Hollywood was brought back for his own program in 2024. The station's owner, Cumulus Media, has also recently laid off other on-air personalities, including Bay Area sports host Greg Papa, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment.
Hollywood concluded his post by expressing gratitude to his audience, his former partner, and various musicians, broadcasters, and media figures. He lamented that companies that "gut the very voices that give a station its identity, they destroy the soul of the medium and push loyal listeners away."