WWNC picks Pete Kaliner to replace Mittan as new afternoon host

Clear Channel Asheville announced Jan. 19 that Pete Kaliner will be its new afternoon talk show host on News Radio 570 WWNC. He’ll start broadcasting Jan. 23, hosting a show that focuses on politics Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m.

The station has been looking for a new host since the October departure of Matt Mittan, who resigned amid swirling rumors after his producer, Agnes Cheek, was laid-off. Kalinar has previously worked as a radio and television reporter and talk show host at a number of stations, most recently at News 14 Carolina in Charlotte.

Kaliner had also previously filled in for Mittan on WWNC on several occasions throughout 2011. Mittan was the first person to publicly announce Kaliner had been picked to be his replacement, referring to him as an “old friend”  in a Jan. 18 Facebook post. After leaving Clear Channel, Mittan and Cheek immediately began working on an independent online radio and media project, as well as a syndicated radio show.

Here’s the full announcement from WWNC:

News Radio 570 WWNC Introduces New Afternoon Host

After an exhaustive nationwide search for a new afternoon talk show host, News Radio 570 WWNC is excited to welcome Pete Kaliner. Starting January 23rd, Pete will take the reigns of the 3-6 p.m. time slot.

“Pete filled in for us last summer and I was blown away by his dedication to show prep and how the listeners engaged with him on the air. After talking with great candidates from all over the country and other professionals in the industry, it was clear that Pete was the perfect fit for this position and for the community of Western North Carolina,” according to program director Brian Hall.
Pete is an award-winning reporter who previously hosted a radio talk show in Charlotte, NC. He has over 14 years experience covering local, state and national politics.

A Long Island native, Pete began his career in media after graduating from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. He was a reporter at WRHI, a small station in Rock Hill and then moved on to the newsroom at WBT (1110-AM) in Charlotte. He earned several industry awards during his tenure there, including the Radio Television News Directors Association of the Carolinas NC Radio Journalist of the Year in 2006.

Pete also had a daily half-hour news segment on the syndicated Matt & Ramona Show. His aggressive debating style and passion for current events earned him the nickname “The Angry Pit Bull.” That led to his making the transition to talk show host in 2008, engaging the Charlotte community in dialogue about everything from international politics to favorite movies.
Said Kaliner, “I’m really excited about getting to know the people of WNC and having open and honest conversations about the issues that matter to them and the issues that affect all of us in our daily lives.”

Pete refers to himself as a libertarian “with a lower-case L,” and is a firm believer in smaller government. His belief in the critical role the media plays in government accountability is what led him to journalism.

In addition to being a political junkie, Pete Kaliner loves good music, good books, camping, and playing guitar. He can’t wait to get to know the people of Western North Carolina – and to talk politics with them.

To listen to Pete’s new show, tune in to 570 WWNC Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m., online at www.wwnc.com and on your SmartPhone or Ipad using the iHeartRadio app.