Hoerth out at ‘PTT

Doug Hoerth’s theme song — Groucho Marx’s “Hello, I Must Be Going” — has never been more appropriate.

Hoerth is no longer affiliated with WPTT (1360), Alan Serena, vice president of operations at Renda Broadcasting, told PBRTV this morning.

Hoerth’s Sunday night oldies show on sister station WJAS (1320) has come to an end as well. Another Renda source tells PBRTV that Hoerth’s last day was Monday, while the Post-Gazette‘s Adrian McCoy says “Uncle Dougie’s” contract was not renewed.

Listeners noted Hoerth’s absence earlier this week — the station has been running “The Best of Hoerth” in his usual 3 to 6 p.m. time slot — and that his podcasts had disappeared from iTunes.

According to McCoy, Mike Gallagher‘s syndicated Salem talk show will fill Hoerth’s former slot.

The cancellation leaves Lynn Cullen not only as the self-professed “Lone Liberal” on WPTT, but also the only live, local host heard during weekdays on the McKeesport-licensed talker. Hampered by a weak nighttime signal, WPTT doesn’t have a local morning or afternoon drive show, and has struggled in the ratings as the market’s third talk station, far behind KDKA (1020) and WPGB-FM (104.7).

Hoerth, the subject of a lengthy PBRTV profile in 2000, marked his 27th year in Pittsburgh broadcasting earlier this month. He moved to WPTT nine years ago after stints doing overnights at KDKA (1020) and shows at KQV (1410) and the former WTKN (970). Cullen and Hoerth were mainstays of the former WTAE (1250), along with Myron Cope and former Press columnist Phil Musick.

Attempts to reach Hoerth this week have not been successful.