It was only a matter of time at WOR. It’s the sense of radio insiders that staffers at the venerable news/talk station were on borrowed time since Clear Channel purchased the 710 frequency in August.

Now, FishbowlNY has learned that numerous changes have taken place at WOR, with others still possible, all within days of Christmas. Here’s what we know at this point. Midday host, Dr. Joy Browne is out. The psychologist spent 15 years dishing advice to callers on WOR.

Mike Huckabee‘s syndicated show has been dropped.

A source close to the information tells FishbowlNY that only scratches the surface.

“All local show promos are off… news department will be absorbed into Total Traffic. It’s a bloodbath there today.”

Part of that bloodbath, we’re told, is the dismissal of former New York Governor David Paterson. The unorthodox hire joined WOR for a weekday two-hour show, succeeding Steve Malzberg in September 2011.

Paterson’s spokesman confirmed the firing to FishbowlNY.

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Rick Buckley died last weekend. He was the man at the top of the family-owned Buckley Radio since 1972. In 1987, Buckley became a major market owner when he purchased WOR Radio.

Already at the station since the previous year was news director Joe Bartlett.

“He was a real hands-on owner, and he was throughout his entire tenure here.” Bartlett says.

The longtime WOR newsman says Buckley would be a micro-managing owner.

“He knew every single thing that went on here,” Bartlett says. “You could never make a mistake without him hearing it.”

If Buckley’s ear caught an error, he called you on the carpet—or at least the phone.

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