WBZ listeners relaunched a grassroots effort to restore local programming and trusted voices at WBZ 1030 in Boston.  Earlier this week, iHeartMedia cut ties with several prominent local WBZ voices including 35-year veteran Deb Lawler and overnight host Bradley Jay. The move comes as the media giant attempts to save funds by replacing local content and voices with national programming.

“New Englanders can live without Necco Wafers, Crown Pilot Crackers, and maybe even Tom Brady–but they can’t live without trusted local programming on WBZ,” said Ben Goodman, coordinator of the Save WBZ 1030 campaign.  “WBZ listeners have shown time and time again that they will not stand idly by while corporate media attempts to eliminate local news coverage.”  

Union Members can take action by signing the email petition here.

In addition to Lawler and Jay, iHeartMedia severed ties with political commentator Jon Keller and sports anchor Tom Cuddy.  The online platform at SaveWBZ1030.com allows listeners to directly contact iHeartMedia decision-makers, advertisers, and key community leaders to make clear that New Englanders value local programming and will abandon the station unless iHeartMedia reverses course.

The online network successfully reversed a corporate decision to eliminate local overnight programming on WBZ in 2009 and pressured iHeartMedia to preserve WBZ talent upon acquiring the station in 2017.  In the 1990’s, WBZ listeners successfully rallied to bring David Brudnoy back to the air.

Please help keep the WBZ 1030 programming local – Tell iHeartMedia we won’t stand for this in Boston – Please sign the petition now.