Jim Defede Fired From WINZ Talk Radio

UPDATE: 01-03-08

Talk show host Jim DeFede returns to radio on Monday, this time on WFTL, 850AM.DeFede will be heard from 4 to 7 p.m. from Monday through Friday, the station said in a prepared release.Prior to WFTL, DeFede hosted a morning show on WINZ, AM940. He was named "Best AM Radio Personality" for 2007 by New Times Broward-Palm Beach.DeFede was an award-winning writer for the Miami New Times for 11 years, a metro columnist for the Miami Herald for three years and currently writes for Miami Monthly Magazine. He is also a commentator and investigative reporter for CBS4 News in Miami."I'm thrilled to be back with my own show and to be working for WFTL," DeFede said in a prepared release on Thursday.

UPDATE: 09-12-07As Reported in the Miami Hearald
Jim DeFede, whose talk show on WINZ-AM (940) ended on Aug. 31, is moving to another South Florida radio station. He won't say where, but reportedly he'll join WFTL-AM (850) in early December. (DeFede's noncompete agreement with WINZ owner Clear Channel requires him to sit out for 90 days.)DeFede, a WFOR-CBS4 commentator and former Miami Herald columnist, says his one-year deal with WINZ expired on July 24. ``My show was not canceled.''The station asked for an extension through Aug. 31, he says. He agreed. As that deadline neared, WINZ offered another two months. DeFede wanted long-term. ``They told me that if I didn't like it, I could go out and try to find myself another station to work for.''He did -- with the help of agent Andrew Korge. DeFede cut a two-year deal.WFTL is owned by James Crystal Radio Group. Former TV anchor and reporter Kelley Mitchell is a morning co-host. The station also airs conservative syndicated hosts Dr. LauraSchlessinger, Bill O'Reilly and Michael Savage And Demo Babe Stacy Ritter.Says DeFede: ``My views aren't going to change based on the station I'm on.''WINZ is licensed to Miami, WFTL to West Palm Beach, says University of Miami broadcasting professor Dr. Mitchell Shapiro. ''A different reach,'' says Shapiro, who adds that both stations can be heard in parts of the tri-county area.DeFede will likely have a morning or afternoon gig.DeFede, 45, who underwent emergency surgery in June to remove fluid from around his heart, is feeling fine. ''Since April, the last time I weighed myself, I've lost 63 pounds.'' He orders portion-controlled meals from chef Mario Bladimirsquy's Diet At Your Doorstep in Coconut Creek, which advertised on DeFede's show. And, he exercises. ``I'm walking every night, about a mile and a quarter.''DeFede's plan for the ''down time'' before his return to radio? ``I'm going to get a trainer.'' DeFede will likely have a morning or afternoon gig.DeFede, 45, who underwent emergency surgery in June to remove fluid from around his heart, is feeling fine. ''Since April, the last time I weighed myself, I've lost 63 pounds.'' He orders portion-controlled meals from chef Mario Bladimirsquy's Diet At Your Doorstep in Coconut Creek, which advertised on DeFede's show. And, he exercises. ``I'm walking every night, about a mile and a quarter.''
DeFede's plan for the ''down time'' before his return to radio? ``I'm going to get a trainer.''


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UPDATE 09-11-07

Rumor has it..... Jim DeFede To move to Live85.com ... WFTL-850 Home of Rush Limbaugh's Demo Babe Stacy Ritter Maybe he will knock off Mitchell and Morley in Drive Time........What A Snooze.....




UPDATE 11:45 am

According to a inside source of ours:
The Jim Defede Show Has Been Canceled, he Has Been FIRED
we will follow up with the details soon......
Anyway, now his website is down and his name, as far as I can tell, has been scrubbed from the 940 WINZ website. The program guide lists his time spot only as "WINZ Mornings" and if you click it you get the Air America site. He's also not listed on the "on-air personalities"

"Sandler, Nicole" <NicoleSandler@clearchannel.com> wrote:

Subject: RE: What happened to Defede
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 08:32:01 -0500
From: "Sandler, Nicole" <NicoleSandler@clearchannel.com>
To: "Ron Mills" <precinct114r@yahoo.com>

Ron,

I don't know much, except that Jim had been in contract negotiations with Clear Channel that look to have broken down... It's not looking good.

You can write to the program director (kencharles@clearchannel.com) or the general manager (georgetoulas@clearchannel.com).

Nicole Sandler
940 WINZ
http://www.940winz.com/

954-862-3185 - direct
954-650-8530 - cell

---

From: Ron Mills [mailto:precinct114r@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wed 9/5/2007 9:21 AM
To: Sandler, Nicole
Subject: What happened to Defede

Nicole,
I noticed Jim was out this week, which would not be all that unusual, except for that he also is now where on the 940 website, under schedule it says, winz Mornings or who is on, it says Nicole Sandler. Plus JimDefede.com no longer works. While I do understand the nuance of confidentiality and public relations, can you fill us in a bit more?



Ron Mills

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