Country Legends cuts

[Mediafrog+]

Cox Media Group is doing some chopping, while parent Apollo Global Management goes after Tegna: Cox Media Group RIF In Progress

Also: Large Round Of Layoffs Hit Cox Media Group Stations - RadioInsight

 

[Mrtejano]

So format change? Or what?

 

[victorres43]

So format change? Or what?

Voicetracking is not out of the question. I cannot say that KTHT has high revenue, considering its weak signal within the Houston area and the places within the coverage area generating lower revenue.

Out of the Cox Houston cluster, only The Eagle is within the Top 10 of Houston ratings. A contrast with other markets with Cox stations, especially Atlanta (where Cox has 4 of the Top 5 spots in the ratings).

 

[tb_]

Voicetracking is not out of the question. I cannot say that KTHT has high revenue, considering its weak signal within the Houston area and the places within the coverage area generating lower revenue.

Out of the Cox Houston cluster, only The Eagle is within the Top 10 of Houston ratings. A contrast with other markets with Cox stations, especially Atlanta (where Cox has 4 of the Top 5 spots in the ratings).

They're pretty much VT'ed all day as it is, short of morning drive... so I'm sure they'll just fill that spot with another voicetracker.

 

[Mrtejano]

Would it be better if they flipped stations around? Like have the Eagle on 107.5 and on 97.1? And move Country Legends to 106.9?

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Umm Tegna and Cox has to decide who gets cut or divested as KHOU-TV might get new owners soon. Note Atlanta and Seattle Cox will have to decide who gets divested soon as it has to comply with ownership limits.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Umm Tegna and Cox has to decide who gets cut or divested as KHOU-TV might get new owners soon. Note Atlanta and Seattle Cox will have to decide who gets divested soon as it has to comply with ownership limits.

Apollo/Cox wouldn’t have to divest anything in Houston if they buy Tegna, as they would have two TVs and four FMs, two short of the overall cap.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Would it be better if they flipped stations around? Like have the Eagle on 107.5 and on 97.1? And move Country Legends to 106.9?

They’d do better if Cox purchased KROI and paired it with KTHT for a second north-south simulcast. Would also give more flexibility for a format flip.

Having said that, a swap of 97.1 and 106.9 probably wouldn’t hurt The Eagle. The 97.1 signal is quite good throughout Montgomery County, and it would open up new possibilities for 106.9.

 

[JustinT]

Would it be better if they flipped stations around? Like have the Eagle on 107.5 and on 97.1? And move Country Legends to 106.9?

Absolutely! But yesterday’s move sure doesn’t suggest Cox is investing much in Country Legends — even though ratings confirm there is its poor signal still finds an audience.

 

[Ryan Williams]

97.1 seems like such an afterthought. Just load up their website and check out what might be the most homely radio station logo currently in use.

Looks like it was made in Microsoft Paint on Windows 95.

 

[ZantennaG1]

The logo isn't necessarily bad, but yeah I could do that with GIMP or PowerPoint even.

 

[Kent]

The logo isn't necessarily bad, but yeah I could do that with GIMP or PowerPoint even.

That's the same logo it had when it launched. It has another logo displaying on TuneIn, but it's pretty much the same with a wooden-looking background.

 

[Mediafrog+]

But yesterday’s move sure doesn’t suggest Cox is investing much in Country Legends — even though ratings confirm there is its poor signal still finds an audience.

Country Legends has done quite well for a rimshot. As I’ve posted elsewhere, there appears to be a lot of Country fans who absolutely detest what the genre has become and therefore turn to 97.1. And the signal covers a huge area of exurban and rural SE Texas where the format would resonate.

However with Apollo/Cox slashing costs, you have to wonder whether Country Legends is carrying its weight in advertising revenue. Probably not, as the format skews old on a rather deficient signal over much of the market. CL has had a good two decade run, but I have to wonder if it is heading into its final days.

Probably several national religious broadcasters that would love to get their hands on the 97.1 stick.

 

[TheBigA]

However with Apollo/Cox slashing costs, you have to wonder whether Country Legends is carrying its weight in advertising revenue.

One has to wonder, with Apollo seeking to add TEGNA to its portfolio, how valuable the entire group of Cox radio stations is any more. Perhaps these cuts are in preparation for an eventual sale of not just one radio station, but all of them.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Apollo/Cox wouldn’t have to divest anything in Houston if they buy Tegna, as they would have two TVs and four FMs, two short of the overall cap.

I forgot to mention Byron Allen is also named as a candidate to get Tegna. As far as I am aware Byron Allen's group will have less overlap to get the Tegna stations while Cox has to decide who to divest in some areas if the deal is approved.

 

[JustinT]

Probably several national religious broadcasters that would love to get their hands on the 97.1 stick.

Would K-Love want to go up against KSBJ with 97.1? Would VCY America want to go up against KHCB with 97.1? I’m sure there’s someone willing to buy 97.1 for a bargain basement price but at that point it’s probably best keeping it as a combo with KKBQ.

 

[rageradio]

97.1 seems like such an afterthought. Just load up their website and check out what might be the most homely radio station logo currently in use.

Looks like it was made in Microsoft Paint on Windows 95.

Thats the same logo that they've been using since the beginning in 2003

 

[Fieldtech1]

Didn't the station run as a jukebox outside of morning drive for many of it's early years?

 

[stan]

Here’s something to consider. If the merger with TEGNA happens, then 97.1 (or pick another current Cox/Apollo station) could become a news station, utilizing the staff and stories from KHOU.

 

[TheBigA]

Here’s something to consider. If the merger with TEGNA happens, then 97.1 (or pick another current Cox/Apollo station) could become a news station, utilizing the staff and stories from KHOU.

Because they saw how well that worked at KROI.