Rich Shertenlieb’s time as the host of a morning show on Boston’s classic rock station WZLX has come to an abrupt end, less than six months after the program’s launch. Shertenlieb unexpectedly announced on Monday that iHeartMedia, the parent company of WZLX, had canceled “The Rich Shertenlieb Show”. The decision comes as part of broader budget cuts and staffing changes across iHeartMedia’s properties.
Beginning in May 2024, WZLX offered Shertenlieb, a veteran Boston radio personality who previously co-hosted the popular “Toucher and Rich” show on 98.5 The Sports Hub, the opportunity to develop his own program. However, his vision for the show soon clashed with the station’s management.
“When we launched the show at the end of May, the plan was simple,” Shertenlieb wrote in a statement. “We would use the summer months to establish chemistry with the new cast, and by the fall and football season, we would be closer to realizing our vision for the show.”
Disagreement Over Format
But just two months into the program’s run, Shertenlieb said that WZLX management “decided to alter the format. They wanted music; I did not.” Despite his disagreement, Shertenlieb agreed to move forward with the added music element, but the change ultimately proved to be the downfall of the show.
The ratings for “The Rich Shertenlieb Show” were dismal, finishing 14th in the key male 25-54 demographic during the summer ratings period with a meager 1.8 share. In comparison, WZLX’s overall weekday programming share was 8.1, indicating that Shertenlieb’s program was the station’s weakest link.
A Promising Start Is Cut Short
Shertenlieb had expressed excitement and optimism about the opportunity to shape his own show when it first launched, telling the Boston Globe in May that he was grateful iHeartMedia allowed him to “assemble the team I’ve always wanted to work with.”
That team included co-hosts Michael Hurley, Ted Johnson, and others, whom Shertenlieb praised in his farewell statement, saying, “If I could work with all of them the rest of my career, I would die happy.”
The abrupt cancellation of the program, just as it was poised to hit its stride in the fall and football seasons, has left Shertenlieb and his team disappointed. “To say that I’m disappointed is an understatement,” Shertenlieb wrote. “I LOVED the show. I loved our listeners. And I already miss you.”
The Challenges Of Boston Radio
Shertenlieb’s departure from WZLX marks the end of another chapter in the competitive Boston radio landscape. The city’s crowded morning drive time slot, which includes established powerhouses like “Toucher and Hardy” on The Sports Hub and “The Greg Hill Show” on WEEI, proved too much for Shertenlieb’s new program to overcome.
As iHeartMedia continues to navigate the changing media landscape and tighten budgets, the fate of “The Rich Shertenlieb Show” serves as a cautionary tale about the difficulties of launching and sustaining a successful radio program, even for an experienced talent like Shertenlieb.
Despite the abrupt ending, Shertenlieb remains grateful for the opportunity and the team he assembled, a testament to his professionalism and passion for the craft. As Boston radio listeners await his next move, Shertenlieb’s departure from WZLX leaves behind more questions than answers about the future of the city’s vibrant media ecosystem.
Table of Contents