“Cousin Vinny” Barrucco and Shannon King have been officially named as the new morning team on Virgin Radio Montreal (CJFM-FM), following last week’s sudden release of “Freeway Frank” Depalo and Natasha Gargiulo.
Depalo and Gargiulo had helmed the show since 2011 up until last Wednesday. In a Twitter post Thursday, the on-air duo revealed what Depalo called “probably some of the worst news” they’d ever received.
“After almost a nine-year run on Virgin Radio, they’ve decided to fire us…so that’s it for us on that show,” said Depalo in the video.
“Obviously we’re still processing this and it’s really difficult and painful and shocking at the same time,” Gargiulo added, as they thanked listeners.
We’ve shared so much together.
It’s been a historic run. No words.
Except for these .Thank U / Merci MTL for your continued decade long of ♥️ & support. we miss u @freewayfrank & @natasha_gargiulo always have each other’s back See u soon #FREEWAYANDNATASHA @virginradiomontreal pic.twitter.com/O6bGCwzGbi— Natasha Gargiulo (@NatashaGargiulo) August 8, 2019
Bell Media unveiled “Vinny & Shannon” as the new morning team Monday. Barrucco returns to Virgin Radio from The Beat 92.5 (CKBE-FM). Up until this past February, Barrucco had been with The Beat for the last seven years, the last two and a half as morning co-host. Shannon King joins the station from Rogers’ KiSS (CJMX-FM) Sudbury where she’d been hosting mornings since 2015. King has a background in news as a 2014 graduate of the Seneca College Broadcast Journalism program.
Adam Greenberg will serve as the show’s content producer and manage its social media.
Lee Haberkorn, who had contributed to the morning show since 2016, moves into an extended afternoon drive shift from 3 – 8 p.m. Charlie Paige continues to host middays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
In the most recent Numeris ratings release in May, Virgin Radio Montreal slipped to a 3.2 share with listeners 12+ from 4.0 in the Fall ratings period. The Beat earned a ratings lift, moving from a 4.0 share to 5.0 share in the same period.
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