iHeartMedia Orlando has announced the retirement of talker Jim Philips. His final show will be Tuesday, November 20 on Real Radio 104.1. The station will celebrate Philips’ retirement with a special Phinal Philips Phile tribute show on Wednesday, November 21, 3- 7 p.m. Philips has hosted the show for over 30 years.
Market Manager Linda Byrd said, “As a broadcaster, Jim Philips is unmatched not only in Orlando, but nationwide. He will be missed by his listeners and by his iHeart family. We are grateful that Jim chose to call iHeartMedia Orlando his radio home all these years and we wish him all the best in retirement. Now Jim, go do what you’ve always told your listeners – eat dessert first, grin like a dog, wander aimlessly, buy your books with cash, and eat some ants.”
During his more than three decades on the air, Philips has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Central Florida charities, including the Mustard Seed and A Gift For Teaching, and has dedicated countless hours to causes, including first-amendment issues, adult literacy, mentoring at-risk youth, and championing LGBTQ rights. The University of Florida graduate has also received numerous awards and honors, including the Debbie Simmons Community Excellence Award lifetime achievement honor and has been recognized as “Best Radio Personality” more than a dozen times by readers of the Orlando Sentinel, the Watermark, and the Orlando Weekly. In addition, The Philips Phile was awarded “Best Radio Show” by Orlando Magazine for several years.
“It has been a great 50-year career and now it is time to move on with the next phase of my life,” said Philips. “I can’t thank the Orlando community enough for letting me into their homes, their cars, and their offices for all this time.”
After Philips’ retirement, The Jim Colbert Show will air on Real Radio 104.1 WTKS Orlando, 3-7 p.m. beginning Monday, November 26.
