Johnny Dare Morning Show, Ponch & Nikki take to the air for a final time
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Two long-time Kansas City morning shows have been trimmed from Audacy’s lineup, with no word yet on what will replace them.
The Johnny Dare Morning Show on Kansas City’s 98.9 “The Rock” took to social media on Thursday, March 6, and announced that after 32 years in the business, the show was cut. Friday morning will mark the final show for Nycki, Gregg, Jake, Kyle and Johnny.
The Ponch and Nikki Show on 99.7 the Point also told fans on Thursday that they would no longer broadcast over the channel. Ponch, a 29-year veteran of the airwaves, originally from Oklahoma City, has called Kansas City home for the last 20 years. Nikki Vivas, on the other hand, was born and raised in the metro and has been on air for 15 years.
The move comes months after Audacy, which owns all three radio stations, shook up Kansas City’s radio scene as it booted the Church of Lazlo from 96.5 and created a full-time FM sports station.
There is no word yet on what will replace the two morning shows.
Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Most Read
Latest News
Driver dies after Jeep flips into tree along rural Missouri highway
Red Robin may close 70 locations nationwide as it battles financial losses
Investigators identify couple found deceased following murder-suicide in KC
Leases at 10 Kansas City metro locations to be terminated, DOGE says
Two charged in deaths of 3 men found frozen at Northland home
Whistleblower awarded $700K after forced out by City Manager
Brian Platt suspended with pay from city manager position
Johnny Dare Morning Show, Ponch & Nikki take to the air for a final time
Windy with falling temperatures and isolated showers Friday
Suspects plead not guilty in deaths of 3 men frozen at Northland home
Suspects plead not guilty in deaths of 3 men frozen at Northland home
KCMO to oversee its own animal control operations, transfer from KC Pet Project
KCMO to oversee its own animal control operations, transfer from KC Pet Project
FIRST WARN FORECAST: Friday brings gusty winds and a little rain (also, is winter done?)
Local radio hosts at 98.9 The Rock, 99.7 The Point announce departures
FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports
by: Kaitlyn Schwers
Posted: Mar 6, 2025 / 02:07 PM CST
Updated: Mar 7, 2025 / 07:21 AM CST
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Some local radio show hosts in Kansas City have announced their departures on their respective Facebook pages following reports of widespread layoffs at Audacy radio stations Thursday.
Johnny Dare of 98.9 The Rock posted Thursday afternoon, “No one is more surprised than us that its lasted this long but after 32 years, we got smoked. Tomorrow will be the final morning show for us on the Rock.. join Nycki, Gregg, Jake, Kyle and I tomorrow morning starting at 6am for one final show.”
Earlier Thursday, Ponch of 99.7 The Point posted on Facebook, “Nikki and I are no longer on 997 The Point. We will have more details soon. Thank you all for your support Fam.”
FOX4 has emailed 98.9 The Rock and 99.7 The Point for comment but has not heard back as of Thursday afternoon.
By Thursday evening, the parent company, Audacy, issued a statement to multiple outlets, acknowledging the cuts. The company said, “Audacy has made workforce reductions to ensure a strong and resilient future for the business. We are streamlining resources to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving media landscape and to best position Audacy to continue serving listeners and advertisers with excellence.”
According to reporting from Barrett Media and Radio Insight, layoffs were also being reported at Audacy stations elsewhere in the country, including in Wichita, Boston, Minneapolis, San Diego, Portland, and Philadelphia.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
With spring weather comes spring bugs, like fleas and ticks. Get them out of your way with one of these top tick removal kits.
Gardening is a beloved hobby for many. To celebrate the arrival of spring and the return to garden beds, try hanging up a new, funny garden sign.
Wayfair’s Big Outdoor Sale has arrived with up to 60% off outdoor furniture from patio seating sets to outdoor dining tables, umbrellas and more.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Primary Menu
A tick removal kit should be a staple in your house …
Garden signs to get you in the mood for spring (and …
The best deals of Wayfair’s Big Outdoor Sale
TOP STORIES
MORE STORIES
FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports Video
TRENDING STORIES
BESTREVIEWS.COM – TOP PICKS TO MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY
KANSAS CITY AREA EVENTS
Get News App
Get Weather App
Stay Connected
US foreign aid cuts leave a funding gap that private …
Police in Bangladesh use batons and tear gas to disperse …
Russia bombards Ukraine’s energy grid after Zelenskyy …
Clashes in Syria’s coastal region between government …
US foreign aid cuts leave a funding gap that private …
Police in Bangladesh use batons and tear gas to disperse …
Russia bombards Ukraine’s energy grid after Zelenskyy …
Clashes in Syria’s coastal region between government …
Aid efforts in Gaza slow as millions of promised …
UN says 186 missing and at least 2 dead after migrant …
Court orders South Korean President Yoon released …
Popular Iranian singer who urged women to go without …
KC radio hosts at 98.9, 99.7 announce departures
KC Manager suspended after whistleblower lawsuit
Joe’s Blog: Another strong storm on the way (THU-3/6)
2 men charged in deaths of 3 Chiefs fans found in …
Man claims hospital neglected his grandma for days
Tips for morel mushroom hunting in Missouri, Kansas
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is coming soon: What to …
2025 Oscars gift bags are worth over $200K and include …
Walmart’s ‘Flash Deals’ are filled with hidden gems …
Here are Amazon’s #1 bestsellers this week
Le Creuset, Stanley, LEGO and more top Amazon’s ‘hot’ …
Best Buy Presidents Day Sale: Apple, Samsung, Dyson …
FOX4KC WDAF-TV
Some well-known Kansas City radio show hosts are being impacted by a round of layoffs conducted by Audacy.
Radio Insight reports that the company will be letting go of between 250 and 300 employees as part of an effort to implement cost savings.
Johnny Dare confirmed that his show will no longer be on 98.9 The Rock.
“No one is more surprised than us that it’s lasted this long, but after 32 years, we got smoked,” he said on Facebook. “Tomorrow will be the final morning show for us on the Rock.”
The Johnny Dare Morning Show began in Kansas City in 1993 and ran from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The show built a loyal fanbase through a blend of rock music, humor, and celebrity interviews.
The show also has strong ties to the rock and biker communities.
Nikki Vivas and Brian Hudgens are also out at 99.7 The Point.
Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
