40-year Veteran Programmer Steve Smith Dies Unexpectedly

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, July 11, 2022 | 1:26pm CT

Steve Smith

Sad to report that 40-year veteran programmer Steve Smith died unexpectedly in his sleep on July 7. He was 62. Smith, the long serving VP/Programming for Cox Media Group, joined CMG in 2011 as Director of Radio Programming for all of CMG's 85 radio outlets nationwide. In April, Smith, Tim Richards and Heidi McIvor-Allen launched a new consulting firm, the Smith Richards Collective.

In a statement, the family of Steve Smith wrote, "The industry is mourning the devastating loss of veteran programmer and broadcast executive Steve Smith. Steve unexpectedly passed away peacefully at home, in his sleep, on July 7. Steve's highly successful career spanned 40 years and has broken countless records, won countless awards, and has irrevocably changed the landscape of American radio for the better. Details regarding the celebration of his life will be forthcoming."

Audacy COO Susan Larkin, who worked with Smith at CMG, posted on social media, "I am shocked and saddened at the sudden passing of our friend and colleague Steve Smith. I loved working with Steve and he was a true friend. Steve's 'bootcamps' with talent, ability to convey a vision for what should come out of the 'speakers' and a real understanding of our audiences was unmatched. He was a unique personality that will be incredibly missed."

Smith's previous career included VP/Programming for Emmis, where he oversaw WQHT-FM (Hot 97) and Urban AC WRKS-FM (98.7 Kiss FM) under Rick Cummings in New York. Additionally, he was VP/Programming for AMFM with Steve Rivers and was a Senior VP/Programming at Clear Channel.