Chio is leaving Wired 96.5, says he was fired
Beloved local radio personality Chio-of "Chio in the Morning" fame-announced Friday that he is leaving Wired 96.5.
Chio is leaving Wired 96.5, says he was fired
Molly Eichel, Daily News Staff Writer
Chio—of "Chio in the Morning" fame—announced Friday that he is leaving Wired 96.5.
“It’s been a crazy 24 hours,” said Chio. News broke Friday morning that the DJ, who has called Philly "home" since he was hired by Q102 in 1995, would be parting ways with station Wired 96.5. Chio said he is an honest guy and wanted to make one thing clear: “I did not resign, I got fired.”
“It’s cool, I had a great time,” he added later. “When one door closes another door opens but I’m not a quitter.”
Chio’s contract was not up until June, but the station told Chio that they were going in a different direction. Chio admitted ratings on his morning show were not good and understood the station’s decision. Wired will pay out the rest of Chio’s contract.
Chio said he didn’t know what was next for him, but he is on the lookout for radio gigs all over the world. “Philly is my home and I’d love to stay,” Chio said. “I would love to be in the ranks of Jerry Blavat, Hy Lit and Butterball … but at the end of the day, I have to put food on table.”
He shared the news on-air Friday towards the end of his morning show. On Facebook he posted a message to fans thanking them for listening to him all these years.
"I love you Philly! I love my P1’s. We’ve been through so much together. We've shared National events like 9/11 and weathered Hurricanes and Snowstorms. We’ve cheered together when the Phillies won the World Series! You were all in the delivery room when I had my youngest son Tristan. You have all opened your hearts and helped me over the years grant so many Christmas Wishes and changed the lives of so many families. You were all there for me when I went through a hard time in my marriage and watched me as I rebuilt the relationship with my wife Shawn. She is my rock. She stood by me through thick an thin. It’s very hard to say goodbye to you all but my time at Wired is over. I can never thank this City - and the best listening audience in the World - enough for all you have given me and my family. I don’t know where my journey will end, but I am so thankful that I got to share it all with you."
Both Chio and an employee at Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., the company that owns Wired, said that co-hosts Shila and Tingle will remain in their posts.
"It’s funny, I had a really bad feeling last night that something was going to go down this morning. Don’t ask me why," said Shila Nathan, Chio’s co-host and a former Daily News Sexy Single, Friday afternoon. “He’s my mentor and my friend, and I love him. … Chio let me be me, he gave me a lot of responsibility. I don’t know what’s going to happen, I’m trying to be positive but I’m sad about it.”
Shila added that the show will continue the show with Tingle. She doesn’t know where the show is headed in the future, but doesn’t believe a new cohost will be put in to place before February.
Mike Bertha of Philly.com also contributed to this report.
Is Chio 1st name or last name?
What is Chio anyway?— Nitroglycerin- chio is a nobody— Zero
- cant believe i actually read this story— stayoutofphilly
Comment removed.- What's a chio— Misohoney
- What a talentless hack. Good riddance. Hes is not funny, and contributed nothing to the show. So sick of seeing the revolving door of co-hosts and producers around him leave, but Chio stay. Fat and stupid, thinking he is up on the latest trends and relevant news. What a fake. That station overall is an embarrassment, should've canned the other "talent" on the morning show as well. What grown man calls himself "Tingle"?— ghouse
- Who does not listen to satellite radio or internet radio these days?— kelprod2-freemarket
- Not exactly that important today given what's happened in Connecticut.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- Who?— joedog
- Chio is not in the same area code as Jerry Blavat, Butterball and Hy Lit. who wrote this? That's like the Eagles' owner saying his team is in the same league as the Patriots, gold standard, etc.— Tyrone Biggums
- see ya dude, that's what happens to old jocks, deal with it— eddiot
- He could replace Tim Lake— NewMick314
- I'd rather listen to NPR.— tulipwalk
