Chris Rathaus

Sirius Satellite Radio’s Chris Rathaus, 63, died of Cancer in Hospice in New York yesterday. Rathaus is best known for his audio production skills. He was awarded the IRTS Worldwide Gold Metal for best audio production in 1998. He was the best of the “old school” master producers who could make magic with his audio “animation.”

He started his on-air career as Chris Randall at WLOB-AM in Portland, Maine, then went to WPTR Albany, NY and then moved to legendary WKNR-AM “Keener 13” in Detroit where he worked under the name Chris Ryan. From Detroit Rathaus became production director and then assistant program director at Westinghouse’s KDKA in Pittsburgh. He then became program director of WOWO Fort Wayne in 1974 and later moved to program WDAE Tampa.

As program director of WDAE, Rathaus changed Tampa Bay radio. It was an era during which FM radio was just starting to emerge. Some of the things that Rathaus brought to WDAE, like talk radio programs (including the John Eastman show), set the standard for modern AM radio. Many of the innovative programming techniques he instituted at WDAE during this time have become the norm today.

Rathaus then formed audio production companies MediAide and Studio C in Tampa. He was also the host of a nationally syndicated talk show called “The Rat House” syndicated on 100 stations through the Sun Radio Network in Clearwater, FL. Rathaus later moved to Beasley’s WQAM Miami, and Clear Channel’s WRMF-WJNO in West Palm Beach. He was also the producer of Radio Ink’s “Radio Ink Live” audio series. He left Palm Beach for the Internet radio start-up RadioCentral in San Francisco prior to being hired at Sirius.

Rathaus was a great mentor to many people who have gone on to have successful careers in broadcasting. He was a truly nice guy in a world where nice guys are a rarity. He loved Tampa Bay and always hoped to return someday.