Full Breakdown
iHeartMedia Layoffs Reshape Des Moines Sports Radio
6/26/2026, 1:10:34 PM
Layoffs at Des Moines iHeart Stations
iHeartMedia eliminated local talent at three of its four Des Moines stations, cutting the morning show hosted by Burnside, his co-host and producer, the afternoon show led by program director Sean Roberts and his team, and both female hosts. The cuts are part of a nationwide reduction that has affected dozens of radio personalities.
Background
A similar wave of layoffs six years ago sparked public outrage that temporarily restored many staff members. This time, fans say the cuts feel permanent, echoing concerns about the erosion of local media.
Key Figures
The cuts affect Burnside, his co-host and producer, program director Sean Roberts and his co-host/producer, and female hosts. National host Dan Patrick receives few local calls from Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz, analyst Beth Getz, and former athletic director Jamie Pollard. Only the Bo & Kaden show, independently owned, remains as the sole local sports talk program.
Impact
Listeners now hear mainly national programming that rarely mentions Central Iowa teams, reducing community engagement, local advertising, and discussion of sports events.
Official Statements
Burnside said the layoffs feel permanent and thanked audience. Roberts expressed gratitude for achieving his career dream before cut. A listener said they could hope national shows would cover local interests.
Criticism
Community members likened the loss of local radio spots to the disappearance of neighborhood bars and restaurants, calling the trend “scary” and warning it weakens Des Moines’ cultural fabric.
Gaps
The exact number of Des Moines staff laid off has not been disclosed, and iHeartMedia has offered no official comment on the rationale or timeline of the restructuring.
Quotes
- “This same thing happened six years ago, but back then there was so much public outrage at the station, ended up bringing back a lot of those staff members. But fans that we talked to today say this time it feels more permanent. Thank you so much for listening and being part of my extended family.” — Burnside, morning-show host
- “I got to live out a dream and will be forever thankful. This is all I ever wanted to do.” — Sean Roberts, program director
- “I knew that there was a good chance I was going to care about whatever they were talking about, you know, in the podcast world or national media. I can’t guarantee that there’s maybe a 10% chance, you know, that I’ll get that much coverage of things that I care about or know about.” — Unnamed listener
- “The only show that survived the cuts was Bo and Kaden, which is independently owned by the host, not iHeartMedia.” — Article observation
