Radio Disney To Shutter: Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country will cease operations in Q1 of 2021 with 36 staffers departing, including GM & VP/Music Strategy Phil Guerini and Sr. Mgr./Music Programming Kris Daniels. As initially reported via NextTV.com, the team was notified of plans today (12/3) via teleconference with Disney Branded Television Pres./CCO Gary Marsh. “The difficult decision to close these two radio networks coincided with Disney’s recently announced structural changes that call for Disney Branded Television to sharpen its focus on increasing production of kid’s and family content for Disney+ and Disney Channels,” reads a statement provided to Country Aircheck. “Division leaders also took into account the fast-evolving media environment that provides more personalized music choices than ever to a generation of young consumers and the ongoing public health crisis that continues to affect in-person music events.”

Early next year, the company will also sell off KRDC-AM/Los Angeles, which transmitted Radio Disney Country and originated the national programming feed beginning in 2017 (CAT 6/9/17). The format launched in 2015 (CAT 6/12/15). Radio Disney had also been carried via SiriusXM since 2002, but the current deal expires at the end of the year. Guerini has been with Disney since 1992, first joining as VP/Marketing. He was named to his current post in 2008 and can be reached here. Daniels joined last year (CAT 1/22/19) following stops in Las Vegas, Louisville, Tucson, Fresno and Bakersfield; reach her here.