Brandon ‘Bigg B’ Hickman departs Wilmington’s Coast 97.3 amid Cumulus Media changes
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Longtime Wilmington radio personality and program director Brandon “Bigg B” Hickman is no longer with WMNX Coast 97.3, Hickman confirmed to WWAY.
Hickman said his departure is the result of major budget cuts tied to company-wide changes. He has not released an official statement regarding his departure.
Hickman, a Wilmington native, has been a familiar voice in the local radio market for years. He served as a DJ and program director at Coast 97.3 and has been involved in the Wilmington community through local events and outreach.
His social media biography now identifies him as a “former radio program director.”
Hickman’s LinkedIn profile lists his tenure with Cumulus Media as beginning in 2007.
The departure comes as Cumulus Media undergoes significant financial and organizational changes.
On Aug. 14, Cumulus Media announced its second-quarter 2026 operating results and said the company is continuing its Chapter 11 reorganization. Cumulus filed for Chapter 11 protection in March, and the company’s reorganization plan was confirmed by a bankruptcy court in April. The company said it expects the plan to take effect after conditions including Federal Communications Commission approval and other regulatory requirements are satisfied.
Cumulus President and CEO Mary G. Berner said the company is positioned to emerge from Chapter 11 with a stronger balance sheet and capitalize on future market opportunities.
The company has previously cited cost reductions as part of its efforts to improve its financial position. In its second-quarter 2025 results, Cumulus reported $5 million in annualized fixed-cost reductions during that quarter and said total annualized cost reductions had reached $175 million over the previous five years.
Hickman has been a longtime presence on Wilmington radio and has deep roots in Wilmington. He was raised on the city’s Northside and has been involved with community organizations and youth programs over the years.
At this time, Hickman has not announced his next professional move.
