Cox Media stations now under new ownership

[Mediafrog+]

Sale of Cox Media to Apollo Global Management has closed: https://radioinsight.com/headlines/...closes-on-its-acquisition-of-cox-media-group/

Although many of the executives are the same, and the Cox Media Group name is being retained, we should also remember that the old bosses now have new bosses who will want to squeeze even more money out of the group. Worth keeping an ear out for changes at KKBQ, KGLK, KHPT, and KTHT.

 

[Mrtejano]

In my opinion they should stop simulcasting 106.9 and 107.5.

 

[stan]

In my opinion they should stop simulcasting 106.9 and 107.5.

Yeah. They could always roll 107.5 back to classic hits.

Don’t hold your breath.

 

[Mediafrog+]

In my opinion they should stop simulcasting 106.9 and 107.5.

The simulcast was successful in its primary purpose: Killing off format rival KKRW. But is it still needed today?

The new ownership of Cox Media Group will probably look at every property to see if more money can be squeezed out of each. A decision will probably be made as to whether reestablishing a fourth Cox format in the market would bring in more money, or if the current simulcast is the best option. The Classic Rock format isn't going anywhere, at least on 107.5, but the audience is getting old, and the music is getting really, really old. At some point, changes, or at least major tweaking will take place. I think the Classic Rock format would still do fine on just one frequency (where else is that audience going to go?) but is there a potential format for 106.9 that would bring in more revenue?

The Cox station to keep an ear on is Country Legends 97.1. Apparently a poor biller, and I would think the audience skews very old. Perhaps make this the northern simulcast of 107.5 while flipping 106.9?

93Q is safe, outside of the usual tweaking.

 

[ThatVoice22]

The Cox station to keep an ear on is Country Legends 97.1. Apparently a poor biller, and I would think the audience skews very old. Perhaps make this the northern simulcast of 107.5 while flipping 106.9?

The advantage of 107.5 & 106.9, if there is any, is the co-location on the FM dial, so listeners bump into both and can choose the best signal.
97.1 might be an older niche audience, but it's hard to figure what might be a better program choice; a 2.0 slice of Houston is better than falling even lower.

 

[ThatVoice22]

Ratings can be fickle/strange:
#1 rated KODA goes from 5.8 to 7.8 (+34%) just on Christmas music, when there a so many other sources of Christmas music?

The stream of Country Legends FM 97.1 drops off a cliff from 0.4 to 0.1 (-75%) in just one month?

On sports, KILT AM 610 since July leaped from 1.0 to 1.6 (+60%), while KBME AM 790 has crashed from 1.6 in July to 0.6 (-62%). Some could say it's the impact of Astros summer baseball helping KBME vs. Texans football now helping KILT - but still, a 60% difference is hard to believe.

#2 Magic 102.1 rose from 5.8 to 7.1 since July (+22%), while #3 KLTN FM 102.9 jumped from 5.0 to 6.8 (+36%).

Ratings variability is understandable, but these percentage changes are way off the chart of believability.

 

[Kelly A]

Sale of Cox Media to Apollo Global Management has closed: https://radioinsight.com/headlines/...closes-on-its-acquisition-of-cox-media-group/

Although many of the executives are the same, and the Cox Media Group name is being retained, we should also remember that the old bosses now have new bosses who will want to squeeze even more money out of the group. Worth keeping an ear out for changes at KKBQ, KGLK, KHPT, and KTHT.

Apollo is a Private Equity firm. They have no interest in running a media group for the long haul. Like any PE group, they cut costs, build BCF, then sell it to someone else when the time is right.

 

[stan]

Apollo is a Private Equity firm. They have no interest in running a media group for the long haul. Like any PE group, they cut costs, build BCF, then sell it to someone else when the time is right.

Or sell it in pieces.