Chris Carter, host of KLOS radio’s longtime program Breakfast With The Beatles, announced Sunday that the show will now air for two hours instead of three, prompting strong backlash from listeners. The program, a staple of the Los Angeles airwaves since 1983, had traditionally run from 9 a.m. to noon on Sundays but will now conclude at 11 a.m.
Carter broke the news during the broadcast, explaining that the station’s management, while supportive of the show, decided to reduce its airtime. “Management, they love the show, they want to keep the show but they are tweaking it,” he said on air. The host acknowledged the classic nature of the music featured, noting, “We play music that’s 60 years old.” Carter wrapped up the announcement by emphasizing the unpredictability of radio programming changes before playing George Harrison’s solo track “Devil’s Radio.”
Breakfast With The Beatles has been a fixture for Los Angeles listeners for more than four decades, originally launched by Deirdre O’Donoghue in 1983 before Carter took over hosting duties in 2001. The show features extensive Beatles music and related content, including interviews and special events, and has garnered a devoted audience in the process.
Fans expressed disappointment and surprise following the announcement. Mike Sinclair, a longtime listener, conveyed his shock and questioned the decision, stating, “No! Why? I’m very surprised as I’ve always understood that Breakfast With The Beatles was the No. 1 weekend show on KLOS.” Another devoted fan, Pat Tyson, who has attended numerous live events associated with the show, described the reduction as a significant loss. “There’s the Beatles and then there’s everyone else. They are timeless, to take an hour from the program is truly a loss for everyone,” Tyson said. She added that the three-hour show had become a “Sunday ritual,” and that she planned to contact the station’s management to express her opposition to the format change.
Attempts to reach KLOS representatives for comment on the decision were unsuccessful. Carter, a former member of the ’80s rock band Dramarama, has been a key figure in Los Angeles’ Beatles community, having interviewed four band members and hosted numerous events celebrating Beatles-related milestones.
Despite the reduction in airtime, listeners remain hopeful the program might eventually return to its original three-hour slot. Sinclair reflected on the show’s enduring appeal: “There’s a reason it’s America’s longest running Beatles show — it rocks and rolls. And truly Chris is the best host and presenter of the Beatles in the world.”