Kiss FM’s Zachary named MTV host

Erik Zachary

A Chicago radio disc jockey who grew up in northwest suburban Bartlett is on his way to national stardom.

Erik Zachary, evening personality on iHeartMedia Top 40 WKSC FM 103.5, has landed a new gig on the revival of the MTV Network’s “Total Request Live.” Starting October 2, he’ll be one of five rotating hosts of the live daily music and artist-interview show.

Although he’ll be based in New York, Zachary will continue to be heard live on 103.5 Kiss FM, where he hosts from 6 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday. He also broadcasts recorded shows for iHeartMedia stations in Boston and Sacramento, California.

MTV

“Total Request Live,” which originally ran on MTV from 1998 to 2008, is being relaunched from studios in Times Square, with plans to expand from one hour a day to two or three. Joining Zachary on the lineup of hosts are D.C. Young Fly, Amy Pham, Tamara Dhia and Lawrence Jackson. The show's comeback is a centerpiece of parent company Viacom’s efforts to revive the fortunes of MTV.

“I have no words, just thankfulness,” Zachary wrote on Facebook. “Here's to joining an amazing team and bringing the legacy that is @MTV's #TRL back!”

A Bartlett native who started his own Internet radio station in high school, Zachary attended Columbia College and worked as a programming intern and promotions assistant for iHeartMedia Chicago. He hosted nights on WEBG FM 95.5, iHeartMedia’s country station, before he moved to 103.5 Kiss FM last October.

Erik Zachary