Broadcasting is a brutal business.

It was true when I hosted a variety of radio talk shows from 1975 through September 1982. It remains true today.

Let me begin with a clear disclaimer: I do not know Rob Kendall. I have never met him, communicated with him, or listened to his talk show. I simply do not listen to much radio anymore, so I am not familiar with the program he hosted locally for nine years.

What I know comes from news media reports, which indicate that Kendall’s tenure at WIBC has come to an end. According to those accounts, his contract with WIBC’s owner, Radio One, expired on Oct. 31, 2024. Kendall continued working without a formal contract while negotiations continued.

Reports state that Kendall hired an agent to represent him in those negotiations, after which communication from ownership apparently ceased. He was later told not to report to work as of Jan. 15 and has been off the air since then. On Feb. 3, Kendall announced publicly that he was no longer employed by Radio One and that the relationship had ended.

Sadly, this is a familiar story in broadcasting.

The industry has always operated on a “what have you done for me lately” model. A host can deliver an audience to a station for years, but if the size or demographics of that audience no longer align with management’s goals, the host quickly becomes expendable.

That reality has only intensified over time.

When I worked in radio, the Federal Communications Commission limited ownership to no more than seven AM stations, seven FM stations, and seven television stations per entity. Those rules were later eliminated, leading to a small number of companies owning the majority of radio stations across the country. In my view, that consolidation has not resulted in better radio for the public—quite the opposite.

Still, the media landscape has changed in ways that can benefit experienced voices. With the platforms now available—podcasts, digital streaming, and independent media—a broadcaster like Kendall, who appears to have built a loyal audience, is well positioned to reemerge. His listeners will likely have the opportunity to find him again, and sooner rather than later.

Even though I was never a listener and know him only by reputation, I wish Rob Kendall well in his future endeavors. He is simply the latest example of a talented broadcaster caught in a business that has always been, and remains, unforgiving.