Cumulus shutdowns coming?

[davideduardo]

Should a merger between Cumulus and Audacy happen, I expect either The Ticket or KRLD-FM would be divested. Much like when Entercom and CBS Radio merged, the combined company wasn't allowed to hold both sports stations in Boston, at least partially because sports rights were viewed separately from the general market. I expect that would happen here, too. It would be somewhat of a Sophie's choice.

There was a difference in Boston in both combined ratings and combined revenue. The two sports stations in question there, together, took such a huge portion of the market revenue that it provoked a fair trade / monopoly issue. Neither of the stations in Dallas is that dominant in ratings nor do they have such a high percentage of revenue.

And that decision was made under a different Commission and different President.

In a merger, it would make more sense to combine the two operations rather than spinning off a competitor. Since this is a bankruptcy-forced move, the conditions on preserving a money-losing status quo would seem to be different.

As I've said before, this is when radio people call lawyers.

 

[Deleted member 108832]

This is the case for both Audacy and Cumulus in Dallas with their class C music stations, including KJKK (Audacy), KSPF (Audacy), KVIL (Audacy), KSCS (Cumulus), and KPLX (Cumulus). The weakest out of these is probably KVIL, though an argument could be made that KJKK and KSPF could potentially be combined.

The weakest link of the group is KMVK. Worst signal of the bunch, and by a lot. It would be a goner for sure. Next would be KJKK. Audacy has to pay for the use of the "Jack" branding, so combining it with 98.7 would eliminate that expense right off the bat. You would basically be throwing the door wide open at 98.7 and combining the majority of both playlists. You'd end up with around 500 titles, from several different genres, which would be a large rotation, but it's variety hits. A larger playlist typically comes with that particular territory.

KSCS and KPLX would also be a combination opportunity, but this would likely open the door for a country competitor to launch.

That would be a jaw dropper, right there. Exactly as you stated, the door would be thrown wide open and, boy, the country war that this would start. We'd be laughing and scratching our collective heads around here for the next few years if Cumulacy were to actually go through with such a scenario.

KRLD-FM is also on a class C stick, but I don't anticipate the sports programming going anywhere considering the Cowboys and Rangers rights. One of these stations would have to be divested before even factoring in AM's or rimshots.

Taking this a step further, if a merger was to occur, then the combined company would be presented with a question of what to do with both WBAP and KRLD, along with the Ticket (which is currently simulcast on a non-Cedar Hill stick). Arguably, the Ticket getting a full market signal is the most pressing of the three, considering the demographics it pulls.

The Ticket would likely move to the signal left from the Jack/Spot merger mentioned above. WBAP has 93.3 already, and I'd bet you a redneck buck that KRLD would be the odd facility out. What would happen to it after its programming is combined with WBAP is anyone's guess. I'd imagine there will be several suitors for it, if it does hit the market. A Class A clear channel isn't going to just be surrendered, I don't care how far the overall band has fallen. We'll all be dead and gone before 1080 in Dallas ever is.

 

[davideduardo]

What would happen to it after its programming is combined with WBAP is anyone's guess. I'd imagine there will be several suitors for it, if it does hit the market. A Class A clear channel isn't going to just be surrendered, I don't care how far the overall band has fallen. We'll all be dead and gone before 1080 in Dallas ever is.

Remember, the maximum is 5 FMs but 8 overall. So they could, if wanted, have 3 AM stations in total.

 

[Deleted member 108832]

Remember, the maximum is 5 FMs but 8 overall. So they could, if wanted, have 3 AM stations in total.

Ever having to physically operate, maintain, and program 3 separate AMs, in this day and age, would sure make me consider a whole new career trajectory involving a welcoming "howdy" to all the customers coming in the front entryway of the local Walmart, I'll tell you what.

 

[Kent]

The weakest link of the group is KMVK. Worst signal of the bunch, and by a lot. It would be a goner for sure.

That was the prevailing wisdom when CBS and Infinity merged in 1996. The combined CBS kept 107.5 because the potential suitors didn't want it either. CBS was hoping Salem would take 107.5, and it could've moved KOAI to 94.9, but Salem said, "Absolutely not." SFX wasn't willing to play that game either. Having said that, should Audulus happen, I would expect it to try to divest that stick again. Whether or not it would be any more successful this time would be an open question.

Next would be KJKK. Audacy has to pay for the use of the "Jack" branding, so combining it with 98.7 would eliminate that expense right off the bat. You would basically be throwing the door wide open at 98.7 and combining the majority of both playlists. You'd end up with around 500 titles, from several different genres, which would be a large rotation, but it's variety hits. A larger playlist typically comes with that particular territory.

Unless this has changed since 98.7 became The Spot, Jack billed significantly more than 98.7. It was the highest billing music station in the cluster and one of the most profitable stations in the entire company. I agree that one of the two would likely be spun off in a merger, but I don't think it's a given that Jack would get spun due to having to pay for it.

The Ticket would likely move to the signal left from the Jack/Spot merger mentioned above. WBAP has 93.3 already, and I'd bet you a redneck buck that KRLD would be the odd facility out. What would happen to it after its programming is combined with WBAP is anyone's guess. I'd imagine there will be several suitors for it, if it does hit the market. A Class A clear channel isn't going to just be surrendered, I don't care how far the overall band has fallen. We'll all be dead and gone before 1080 in Dallas ever is.

If David is correct that combining the two sports stations would be the likely outcome of a merger, you'd find the live and local talent on 105.3 with the overflow and syndicated programming on 570. That's a no-brainer. Dumping 93.3 is also a logical move. It's less desirable than 107.5 and doesn't seem to be adding anything to WBAP's numbers. I tend to think, should a merger happen, the goal would be to have one of these scenarios for Audulus:

AM: 570, 820, 1080. FM: 96.3, 99.5, 100.3, 103.7, 105.3.
AM: 570, 820, 1080. FM: 96.3, 99.5, 98.7, 100.3, 105.3.
AM: 570, 820, 1080. FM: 96.3, 99.5, 98.7, 103.7, 105.3.

 

[Deleted member 108832]

Let me ask you this, @Kent, and it's going to come way out of left field.

Can you see a scenario where EMF ends up with 98.7, 94.9 is shifted to Air 1, 101.7 reverts to Spanish language as "Nueva Vida", and 98.7 KLUV is reborn as "K-Love"? This Cumulacy/Audulus merger could potentially reshape the DFW FM landscape more than we even realize.

That is, if any merger actually comes to fruition.

 

[Mediafrog+]

That was the prevailing wisdom when CBS and Infinity merged in 1996. The combined CBS kept 107.5 because the potential suitors didn't want it either. CBS was hoping Salem would take 107.5, and it could've moved KOAI to 94.9, but Salem said, "Absolutely not." SFX wasn't willing to play that game either. Having said that, should Audulus happen, I would expect it to try to divest that stick again. Whether or not it would be any more successful this time would be an open question.

107.5 could always go to a non-comm. Radio Nueva Vida? Vida Unida? The owners of those formats would love to get an analog DFW signal.

Can you see a scenario where EMF ends up with 98.7, 94.9 is shifted to Air 1, 101.7 reverts to Spanish language as "Nueva Vida", and 98.7 KLUV is reborn as "K-Love"? This Cumulacy/Audulus merger could potentially reshape the DFW FM landscape more than we even realize.

The 98.7 and 94.9 coverage areas are identical. Why move K-Love?

 

[Deleted member 108832]

The 98.7 and 94.9 coverage areas are identical. Why move K-Love?

A majority of Dallasites still associate the name K-LUV with 98.7 to this day. It hasn't been all that long since it took on the new Spot moniker. KLTY has already dumped the local heritage and community involvement, so another switch to Air 1 would not be a major ordeal. It's pretty much standard procedure, 🐸. Promote it, simulcast it, switch it. EMF then nets two Cedar Hill sticks for the K-Love/Air one duo.

Would certainly be a major feather in the EMF cap, and put Dallas up there at the forefront of the portfolio.

 

[davideduardo]

Ever having to physically operate, maintain, and program 3 separate AMs, in this day and age, would sure make me consider a whole new career trajectory involving a welcoming "howdy" to all the customers coming in the front entryway of the local Walmart, I'll tell you what.

Yet you have Lotus, a profitable and debt free company since the 1960's, running 3 successful AMs (Edited) in LA and not a single FM.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Yet you have Lotus, a profitable and debt free company since the 1960's, running 3 successful FMs in LA and not a single FM.

I assume you mean running three AMs without an FM.

Doesn’t Lotus have four LA AMs?

 

[Deleted member 108832]

I assume you mean running three AMs without an FM.

Doesn’t Lotus have four LA AMs?

Heck, in your own neck o' the woods, there's iHeart with KPRC, KTRH, KXYZ, and KBME on the AM dial. Hey, it works for some. I just personally wouldn't want the headache.

 

[Rusty Muck]

I assume you mean running three AMs without an FM.

Doesn’t Lotus have four LA AMs?

670 KIRN, 980 KFWB, 1120 KTMZ and 1330 KWKW... but KTMZ is mostly a straight simulcast of KWKW.

 

[davideduardo]

Heck, in your own neck o' the woods, there's iHeart with KPRC, KTRH, KXYZ, and KBME on the AM dial. Hey, it works for some. I just personally wouldn't want the headache.

The 4th is a repeater for one of them, indented to cover part of the market the 1330 AM does not cover. But you are right, there are 4 AM signals but 3 "stations" with separate formats.

 

[davideduardo]

I assume you mean running three AMs without an FM.

Doesn’t Lotus have four LA AMs?

Yep, my typo. 670, 830, 1330 (with a simulcast low power repeater)

 

[txskywtchr]

Needless info...all of Audacy's FMs are in the process of moving to a new Cedar Hill stick.

 

[Kent]

Let me ask you this, @Kent, and it's going to come way out of left field.

Can you see a scenario where EMF ends up with 98.7, 94.9 is shifted to Air 1, 101.7 reverts to Spanish language as "Nueva Vida", and 98.7 KLUV is reborn as "K-Love"? This Cumulacy/Audulus merger could potentially reshape the DFW FM landscape more than we even realize.

That is, if any merger actually comes to fruition.

I won't say it wouldn't be possible, but I wouldn’t expect it. I tend to think, if K-Love were to buy 98.7, it would just put Air 1 there and keep K-Love on 94.9. A move like you’re describing might've made sense in the diary era, but it doesn’t matter with PPM. People already know where to find CCM, and that’s where it’s been for 25 years. How they think of it or recall it is less important.

 

[Triple Fake Jerry]

Whatever happens in the shakeout, I'm guessing the Ticket gets left alone. 96.7 covers the Metroplex well and only gets a little spotty when you get down to Waxahachie. I reckon 1310 will get cast aside even though it'll make a lot of P1s have a sad.

ADD: And then I saw the boffo Feb 25 ratings for KTCK just now. Do these combine AM, FM and streaming? At any rate, they further my argument that the formula should not be jacked with. So to speak.