Conshohocken’s Kathy Romano, a longtime voice on Philadelphia’s airwaves, is stepping away from WMMR’s Preston & Steve show after 22 years, writes Jeff Blumenthal for the Philadelphia Business Journal.
The decision wasn’t hers—parent company Beasley Media Group confirmed her contract was not renewed amid ongoing company-wide cutbacks.
Romano made the announcement live on air Thursday morning, joined by noticeably emotional co-hosts Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison. Her final show aired Friday. “This was in no way my choice,” she said. “We are devastated.” She later took to Instagram, thanking listeners and co-workers while teasing future plans: “This isn’t goodbye — just turning the dial to see what’s next.”
In addition to her role on Preston & Steve, Romano hosted Her Story, a weekend show that spotlighted women making an impact across the Delaware Valley—a role that resonated deeply with Montco audiences.
Her departure comes as part of a larger trend at Beasley, which recently reported a $2.7 million quarterly net loss and has made repeated cuts across its stations, including 97.5 The Fanatic and 102.9 WMGK. Still, Romano’s exit hits differently: she was a fixture in one of the city’s top-rated morning shows since it debuted on WMMR in 2005.
To learn more about Kathy Romano’s career and what’s next, visit the Philadelphia Business Journal.
