Jim Ryan To Exit Audacy & WNEW To Expand Consultancy

Audacy SVP/Programming and “New 102.7” WNEW New York Program Director Jim Ryan will depart the station next month to focus solely on his Jim Ryan Media consultancy.

Ryan said he originally planned to leave in December 2024 but was enticed to stay and additional quarter for the implementation of Nielsen’s new three-minute qualifier rule and to reach fifteen years with the company. He said, “I’m so happy I stayed, as we’ve already seen WNEW beat WLTW with 25-54 women in prime in January, and when you can beat Lite-FM with their core target, it’s a moment to savor.” Ryan also was helped play a role in finding his successor, which will be announced in the coming days.

Ryan continued, “I’ve been blessed to work with the most legendary stations in our business since I arrived in New York in 1996, first with iHeart and WLTW, then CBS in 2010 to program WNEW and WCBS-FM. I’m happy to pass the baton to a respected and well-known colleague,” says Ryan. “While there are too many people to thank for my time at Audacy, I have to single out Susan Larkin for believing in my vision for 102.7 and Chris Oliviero for his amazing leadership.”

Ryan joined then CBS Radio New York in April 2010 as VP/Adult Contemporary and PD of what was then “Fresh 102.7” WWFS. He would then add programming duties for Classic Hits 101.1 WCBS-FM, which he held until the end of 2022 and was promoted to SVP/Programming for the company in December 2014 overseeing CBS’ AC and Classic Hits stations. Following the Entercom merger, Ryan remained overseeing the AC format.

Before joining CBS, Ryan spent over eleven years at Clear Channel from 1996 to 2008 as SVP of Adult Contemporary Programming and programmed AC “106.7 Lite-FM” WLTW New York. The Long Island native has also programmed WBEB Philadelphia, was an equity partner in KXYQ Portland, and worked at stations in Denver, Pittsburgh, Miami and Detroit.

Jim Ryan Media will continue working with syndicated personality Delilah and expand to other talent, brands and artists. Ryan can be reached at Jim@JimRyanMedia.com