Another familiar New England radio voice is stepping away from the microphone.
Daniel “Giovanni” Centofanti has officially retired from his afternoon duties at iHeartMedia Classic Hits station WWBB “B101” in Providence and Oldies outlet WCIB “Cool 102” on Cape Cod, bringing yet another chapter to a close in one of the longest-running careers in Rhode Island radio history.
And in Providence broadcasting circles, Giovanni’s name has carried weight for generations.
Long before streaming apps and social media personalities dominated audience attention, Giovanni was one of the voices helping define local radio in Southern New England. His connection to the Providence market stretches back more than five decades, most notably through his legendary tenure at heritage CHR powerhouse WPRO-FM “92 Pro-FM,” where he became part of the station’s identity for countless listeners growing up throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.
His run at Pro-FM began in the mid-1970s and lasted until spring 2024, including a lengthy and highly recognizable run in morning drive during one of the most competitive eras in Top 40 radio. For many listeners, Giovanni was not simply a DJ — he was part of daily life.
School mornings.
Snow days.
Summer concerts.
Late-night dedications.
Promotions.
Remote broadcasts.
Contest chaos.
The soundtrack of an entire generation.
When Giovanni resurfaced at iHeartMedia’s B101 in early 2025, the move immediately felt like a natural fit. His familiar delivery and deep New England radio roots blended seamlessly into the Classic Hits format, offering longtime listeners another opportunity to reconnect with a voice many had spent decades hearing on the radio dial.
Now, after roughly a year and a half with the company, Giovanni is officially stepping away once again.
And the moves surrounding his departure highlight how interconnected today’s radio industry has become.
Taking over afternoons at B101 is Adam Rivers, who already maintains an enormous programming footprint across several iHeartMedia brands throughout Connecticut. In addition to overseeing programming strategy for multiple stations, Rivers also remains active on the air in Hartford and New Haven — another example of how modern radio programmers increasingly balance leadership responsibilities with live on-air shifts across several markets simultaneously.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey T. Mason moves into afternoons at Cape Cod’s Cool 102, continuing the station’s evolution while inheriting a daypart long occupied by one of New England radio’s most recognizable personalities.
But the larger story here is Giovanni.
Because careers lasting more than 50 years in broadcasting have become increasingly rare.
Radio has changed dramatically since Giovanni first signed on. Formats evolved. Ownership structures shifted. Technology transformed everything from music scheduling to audience measurement. Entire generations of stations disappeared while others reinvented themselves completely.
Yet through all of it, personalities like Giovanni remained the connective tissue between stations and listeners.
And that still matters.
Because while the platforms may continue changing, radio at its best has always been about familiarity, companionship, trust, and voices that become part of people’s everyday routines.
For decades throughout Providence and beyond, Giovanni was one of those voices.
In an industry built on constant change, surviving and remaining relevant across five decades on the air is more than longevity — it is legacy.
On The Dial covers breaking radio industry news, including layoffs, programming changes, talent moves, and broadcast trends across the United States.