Bill Hess to Retire After 48 Years in Radio at WMAL

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | 3:46pm CT

Bill Hess

Bill Hess, Program Director of WMAL-FM (NewsTalk 105.9) in Washington, DC, will retire from radio on December 31, concluding a 48-year career spanning on-air roles and senior programming leadership. Hess has served as PD of WMAL-FM for the past 15 years and previously held the role of VP of News/Talk for Cumulus Media, overseeing programming strategy for 43 News/Talk stations nationwide. He also served as OM for Cumulus in DC.

Prior to joining Cumulus, Hess was Senior Vice President of Programming for Air America Media and Regional Vice President of Programming for Capstar Broadcasting in the Stamford, CT-Westchester, NY region. His background also includes programming music stations such as WASH-FM and WBIG-FM in DC.

Hess began his radio career in 1977 as an on-air personality at WCBG in Chambersburg, PA, later spending five years at WBET-AM, WCAV-FM in Brockton, MA, where he advanced to Program Director.

Brian Philips, Chief Content Officer of Cumulus Media, said Hess played a key role in talent development and programming leadership, particularly during recent high-intensity news cycles, and noted his long-standing influence on the company's News/Talk operations.

Jeff Boden, Vice President and Market Manager for Cumulus Washington, DC, credited Hess with setting a high standard for leadership within the News/Talk format through his ability to attract and guide top talent.

Reflecting on his career, Hess said he was grateful for nearly five decades in radio, programming both music and spoken-word stations, and described his final 15 years at WMAL and Cumulus Media as a highlight of his professional life.