Blab Music
KCAL-FM 96.7 Loses Entire On-Air Staff as Classic Rock Station Switches to Automated Music-Only Format
KCAL‑FM 96.7, a long‑standing classic‑rock broadcaster in Southern California’s Inland Empire, announced on Friday that it will drop all on‑air talent and switch to a fully automated, music‑only format beginning Saturday, Aug. 1. The change follows the layoff of the station’s entire on‑air staff, a move that has been confirmed by several former hosts on social media.
The station, which first signed on the air in 1965 and adopted a rock format in 1969, has been owned by Anaheim Broadcasting Corporation for several decades. In a Facebook post on July 31, the station said, “The next chapter starts now. Classic rock. Nothing but music. All day across the Inland Empire.” The company’s release, obtained by Southern California News Group, added that the new format would “expand the station’s musical focus and will have fewer interruptions and more music throughout the day.”
Anaheim Broadcasting’s chief operating officer, Kelly Sanders, said in the release that the move “builds on the station’s strong rock heritage” and will “deliver a focused, consistent listening experience with broader appeal for both our audience and advertising partners.” The company did not respond to a request for comment.
The layoffs were reported by several KCAL‑FM hosts. Evening host John DeSantis posted on Facebook, “Yes, all of us. They will be moving to an automated, human‑less format. To say this is shocking is an understatement.” DeSantis added that he would have more to say later.
Long‑time afternoon host Daryl Norsell, who had worked at KCAL for 42 years, shared on Facebook that he was “grateful” and that his four‑hour studio shift had been his favorite part of the day. He recalled beginning his radio career at 18 and joining KCAL two years later.
Morning show host Patrick Tish, who had been with the station for 15 years, wrote on Instagram that his run at KCAL had ended and that he was relieved to no longer have to wake at 4 a.m. He thanked listeners for their support.
The station’s studios are located on Orange Tree Lane in Redlands, and its transmitter site is off Cloudland Truck Trail near Lake Arrowhead. KCAL‑FM’s format shift comes amid a broader trend of classic‑rock stations moving to automated, jock‑less programming to reduce payroll costs. The change will position KCAL‑FM more directly against Los Angeles‑area competitor KLOS 95.5.
According to a RadioInsight report, KCAL‑FM’s Nielsen Audio ratings rose from 2.0 to 2.9 in June 2026, suggesting the station had a growing audience before the transition. The automated format will rely on a commercial radio automation system to play music continuously.
The station’s shift to an all‑music format is the first major change in its history since adopting the rock format in 1969. The move reflects a strategic decision by Anaheim Broadcasting to focus on music content and reduce staffing costs.
As of Aug. 1, KCAL‑FM will broadcast classic‑rock tracks without live hosts, with playlists curated by the station’s automation software. The station’s Facebook page has posted the new schedule, indicating that listeners can expect uninterrupted music throughout the day.
The layoffs and format change have left many longtime listeners and former staff members surprised. The station’s social‑media posts suggest that the decision was made abruptly, with the final on‑air staff being let go on Friday morning.
KCAL‑FM’s transition to a fully automated format marks a significant shift in the station’s operations and programming strategy. The station’s future audience engagement will depend on how well the new format resonates with its established listener base.
For now, the station’s website and social‑media channels provide the updated playlist schedule and a brief statement from the station’s management. No further details have been released regarding future staffing or potential re‑introduction of on‑air talent.
The Inland Empire’s classic‑rock community will continue to listen to KCAL‑FM’s music‑only programming, while former hosts and listeners reflect on the station’s long history and the changes ahead.
The station, which first signed on the air in 1965 and adopted a rock format in 1969, has been owned by Anaheim Broadcasting Corporation for several decades. In a Facebook post on July 31, the station said, “The next chapter starts now. Classic rock. Nothing but music. All day across the Inland Empire.” The company’s release, obtained by Southern California News Group, added that the new format would “expand the station’s musical focus and will have fewer interruptions and more music throughout the day.”
Anaheim Broadcasting’s chief operating officer, Kelly Sanders, said in the release that the move “builds on the station’s strong rock heritage” and will “deliver a focused, consistent listening experience with broader appeal for both our audience and advertising partners.” The company did not respond to a request for comment.
The layoffs were reported by several KCAL‑FM hosts. Evening host John DeSantis posted on Facebook, “Yes, all of us. They will be moving to an automated, human‑less format. To say this is shocking is an understatement.” DeSantis added that he would have more to say later.
Long‑time afternoon host Daryl Norsell, who had worked at KCAL for 42 years, shared on Facebook that he was “grateful” and that his four‑hour studio shift had been his favorite part of the day. He recalled beginning his radio career at 18 and joining KCAL two years later.
Morning show host Patrick Tish, who had been with the station for 15 years, wrote on Instagram that his run at KCAL had ended and that he was relieved to no longer have to wake at 4 a.m. He thanked listeners for their support.
The station’s studios are located on Orange Tree Lane in Redlands, and its transmitter site is off Cloudland Truck Trail near Lake Arrowhead. KCAL‑FM’s format shift comes amid a broader trend of classic‑rock stations moving to automated, jock‑less programming to reduce payroll costs. The change will position KCAL‑FM more directly against Los Angeles‑area competitor KLOS 95.5.
According to a RadioInsight report, KCAL‑FM’s Nielsen Audio ratings rose from 2.0 to 2.9 in June 2026, suggesting the station had a growing audience before the transition. The automated format will rely on a commercial radio automation system to play music continuously.
The station’s shift to an all‑music format is the first major change in its history since adopting the rock format in 1969. The move reflects a strategic decision by Anaheim Broadcasting to focus on music content and reduce staffing costs.
As of Aug. 1, KCAL‑FM will broadcast classic‑rock tracks without live hosts, with playlists curated by the station’s automation software. The station’s Facebook page has posted the new schedule, indicating that listeners can expect uninterrupted music throughout the day.
The layoffs and format change have left many longtime listeners and former staff members surprised. The station’s social‑media posts suggest that the decision was made abruptly, with the final on‑air staff being let go on Friday morning.
KCAL‑FM’s transition to a fully automated format marks a significant shift in the station’s operations and programming strategy. The station’s future audience engagement will depend on how well the new format resonates with its established listener base.
For now, the station’s website and social‑media channels provide the updated playlist schedule and a brief statement from the station’s management. No further details have been released regarding future staffing or potential re‑introduction of on‑air talent.
The Inland Empire’s classic‑rock community will continue to listen to KCAL‑FM’s music‑only programming, while former hosts and listeners reflect on the station’s long history and the changes ahead.
