Sometimes radio has a way of coming full circle.
After stepping away from his longtime midday role nearly a year ago, Dennis Malloy is heading back to the microphone full-time at New Jersey 101.5. Beginning July 13, listeners will once again hear the familiar pairing of Malloy and Judi Franco occupying the timeslot that helped define talk radio in the Garden State for decades.
For many New Jersey listeners, the duo became part of the daily routine, spending years discussing everything from politics and current events to the quirky stories that make New Jersey unique. Their chemistry helped build one of the station’s most recognizable brands, making Malloy’s return one of the more notable programming developments of the summer.
Malloy’s broadcasting career stretches back half a century. His journey began in South Jersey before moving through major Northeast radio markets, including Hartford and Philadelphia, where he built a reputation as a strong on-air personality long before arriving at New Jersey 101.5. Over the course of more than three decades at the station, he became one of the most recognizable voices in the region.
The return also comes as Eric “EJ” Johnson takes on expanded leadership responsibilities for Townsquare’s New Jersey operations. Johnson is no stranger to the market, having previously overseen programming for New Jersey 101.5 during a highly successful era. His career has included leadership positions across Philadelphia, Boston, Wilmington, and Allentown, along with extensive experience in both music and sports radio formats.
Under the new arrangement, Johnson will focus on operational and programming duties while continuing to maintain a presence on the air through weekend appearances and fill-in hosting assignments.
For longtime listeners, however, the headline is simple: a familiar voice is coming home. In an industry where change is often the only constant, the return of a personality so closely associated with a station’s identity is bound to generate plenty of excitement across New Jersey.
On The Dial covers breaking radio industry news, including layoffs, programming changes, talent moves, and broadcast trends across the United States.