Veteran programmer Dave Popovich, synonymous with Cleveland radio for decades, has announced his retirement. Popovich has served as VP of Programming at CBS Radio/Audacy in Cleveland since 2006, after working as a PD or Ops Manager at a slew of stations in the market and elsewhere during a career that spanned 50 years.
“I am excited to write the next chapters of my life,” Popovich said in an internal memo to Audacy’s Cleveland staff Wednesday afternoon. “I am healthy, happy and grateful for the teams I have worked with for 50+ years. I’ve had the time of my life laughing and learning every day.”
He added, “I will miss you, but I will be listening from my cabana on the beach.”
Among the stations on Popovich’s programming/operations resume are KIMN Denver; WMJI and WMVX Cleveland; WLTF Martinsburg, WV; WWWE Atlanta; WRMR Jacksonville, NC; and KKCI Kansas City. He also worked as a consultant at Cleveland-based McVay Media.
His last day with Audacy Cleveland is expected to be in early spring 2023.
“Dave’s extraordinary career has spanned many decades (hey, he started early!), culminating in a remarkable run with our four primary stations in Cleveland,” Audacy Senior VP Market manager Tom Herschel said in an email to staff. “In particular, his legendary programming skills and uncanny eye for radio talent have helped position Star 102 [WDOK] and Q104 [WQAL] as iconic brands in the country.” Popovich also oversees classic rock WNCX (98.5) and sports “92.3 The Fan” WKRK.
Acknowledging that Popovich will be “a tough guy to replace,” Herschel said his job will be posted soon and that Popovich “will be involved in finding and preparing his replacement for the challenges ahead.”