Anderson University interested in buying WROQ-FM Rock 101 and moving the studios

[Goodtimesandgreatoldies]

I have been hearing reports of something VERY shocking. Some leaders at Anderson University are interested in buying WROQ-FM Rock 101 and moving it back to Anderson University! I have heard this from a number of high ranking A.U. people in the know. Of course, this doesn`t mean that Entercom is interested in selling. However, the company is in extreme financial ruins and may very well start selling off stations very soon. From what I haer, AU wants to buy the station and create a community based foramt that will include some music. Students will be used and the station will be live 24/7. This station actually WAS at Anderson College for MANY years. It was WCAC-FM 101.1 for many years and was the sister station of WAIM-AM 1230 AND WAIM-TV 40. AU does have DEEP pockets and they are run by the Southern Babtists. The University of Georgia just purchased WNEG-TV 32 (CBS) in Toccoa, GA. Clemson University and Furman, etc. all have FM stations, so I guess that this is par for the course. I wonder what the selling price of WROQ will be? Is Entercom selling all of their Greenville Cluster off?

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

Re: Anderson University interested in buying WROQ-FM Rock 101 and moving the stu

I have been hearing reports of something VERY shocking. Some leaders at Anderson University are interested in buying WROQ-FM Rock 101 and moving it back to Anderson University! I have heard this from a number of high ranking A.U. people in the know. Of course, this doesn`t mean that Entercom is interested in selling. However, the company is in extreme financial ruins and may very well start selling off stations very soon. From what I haer, AU wants to buy the station and create a community based foramt that will include some music. Students will be used and the station will be live 24/7. This station actually WAS at Anderson College for MANY years. It was WCAC-FM 101.1 for many years and was the sister station of WAIM-AM 1230 AND WAIM-TV 40. AU does have DEEP pockets and they are run by the Southern Babtists. The University of Georgia just purchased WNEG-TV 32 (CBS) in Toccoa, GA. Clemson University and Furman, etc. all have FM stations, so I guess that this is par for the course. I wonder what the selling price of WROQ will be? Is Entercom selling all of their Greenville Cluster off?

Just because the Southern BAPTISTS want to buy, doesn't mean Entercom wants to sell.

Entercom's stock price is down drastically, but that doesn't mean they're in such bad trouble they need to sell off stations.

And lately, schools have been selling.. not buying.. I think Anderson University buying a big 100KW station is unlikely.

Why don't the buy another signal, one of the non corporate owned facilities?

 

[carolinaradio]

Entercom selling WROQ? That's probably the last station they would sell.

 

[carolinaradio]

Sorry to hog the thread but in response to what radioguy said about them buying another station....they should buy WRIX.

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

Re: Anderson University interested in buying WROQ-FM Rock 101 and moving the stu

Sorry to hog the thread but in response to what radioguy said about them buying another station....they should buy WRIX.

yeah, WROQ would probably be one of the last they'd sell.. it's #6 with just under a full 6 points in the recent book. They're not going to sell a Ratings winner like that.

In fact, all of Entercom's stations are in the Top 10 with 5+ points. I'm sure they're billing is fine..... See? Stock price has no correlation ot ratings or billing.

Anderson University couldn't buy WRIX because then there would be no place for an oldies format and you know a college/university isn't gonig to run a format like that! *gasp*....

They should make an offer on WIRX-AM 1020, Im sure there isn't much effort or money put into it....

 

[carolinaradio]

Yeah Entercom is always top 10 except for 106 most of the time...well, there are really just 12 stations in the market if you add Cox, Entercom, CC together not counting the Spanish, small AMs, rimshots, etc. Entercom's usually like this:

101.1
98.9
WORD
93.7
93.3
106.3

but the last book was rather strange, and of course things fluctuate. WSPA got an exceptionally great book. Trust me. 'ROQ is not going anywhere. They are Entercom's top performer in MANY books.

 

[thebroker]

Re: Anderson University interested in buying WROQ-FM Rock 101 and moving the stu

I wonder what the selling price of WROQ will be? Is Entercom selling all of their Greenville Cluster off?

More wild speculation, based upon no tangible evidence. Not a single word has been said anywhere I've seen (and I read all the radio trade pubs) about Entercom selling stations in Greenville. I already explained in another post that, particularly in this economic climate, stock price is not necessarily an indication of overall economic health or viability of a company, nor is it specifically a reflection of a company's cash flow situation. Just my opinion, but before throwing around wild ideas like this, it would be very helpful if you'd gain a basic understanding of the way the business end of the radio business works, particularly as it relates to acquisition and divestiture of stations. I'm not trying to be hatefully or snipe at you, just wondering why such wild speculation would be tossed about so carelessly. You know how the rumor mill works...you start off with a reasonable story, and 15 second-handed conversations later, the story is blown so out of proportion that nobody could possibly believe it. When the rumor mill STARTS with ridiculous speculation like this, imagine where it'll end up after it is passed around second-hand 15 times. Just something to think about.

 

[Lhsh]

I don't know why Entercom would sell such a profitable station to a college especially as small of one as Anderson University. It would make more sense if they sold WRIX-AM instead and I am sure that the price would be cheaper. IIf you have looked at the last several books, WROQ and pretty much the rest of the cluster except for 106.3 are all top five stations and I am sure that their billing far exceeds the stock price that Entercom is receiving right now too. I would like to see some real information before this rumor gets any further out of hand.

 

[carolinaradio]

If Entercom were to sell anything it should be 93.3 and 106.3, as those are usually the lowest rated and aren't top 5 material. I don't believe this but they should buy 1020 or 103.1 if they were wanting to buy anything.

 

[Lhsh]

I definitely agree with you here and it would be really nice when people post rumors like this to the radio boards that they would have actual facts with names and dates in hand.

If Entercom were to sell anything it should be 93.3 and 106.3, as those are usually the lowest rated and aren't top 5 material. I don't believe this but they should buy 1020 or 103.1 if they were wanting to buy anything.

 

[Goodtimesandgreatoldies]

I don`t know if Entercom wants to sell, but Anderson University may want the 100,000 watt blowtorch to spread their message, the transmitter is nearby. For many years, the 101.1 studios were at Anderson College (even as recent as the late 1980`s). If you look good enough, you still can see the wcac 101 fm/waim 1230 paint on the side of one of the buildings there. You have to look good, but you still can see it. 101.1 WCAC had a policy of "No Jungle Music" in the 1960`s and 1970`s. They used this slogan in ads. Wilton hall owned this station for MANY years. He sold it to Frank Outlaw (founder of Bi-Lo Grocery) in 1978. The call letters were changed to WAIM-FM 101.1 in the mid 1970`s. Rock 101 started here in late 1978 under Frank Outlaw who also bought WAIM am 1230 and WAIM-TV 40-all located at Anderson College.

 

[carolinaradio]

Re: Anderson University interested in buying WROQ-FM Rock 101 and moving the stu

I wonder what the selling price of WROQ will be? Is Entercom selling all of their Greenville Cluster off?

More wild speculation, based upon no tangible evidence. Not a single word has been said anywhere I've seen (and I read all the radio trade pubs) about Entercom selling stations in Greenville. I already explained in another post that, particularly in this economic climate, stock price is not necessarily an indication of overall economic health or viability of a company, nor is it specifically a reflection of a company's cash flow situation. Just my opinion, but before throwing around wild ideas like this, it would be very helpful if you'd gain a basic understanding of the way the business end of the radio business works, particularly as it relates to acquisition and divestiture of stations. I'm not trying to be hatefully or snipe at you, just wondering why such wild speculation would be tossed about so carelessly. You know how the rumor mill works...you start off with a reasonable story, and 15 second-handed conversations later, the story is blown so out of proportion that nobody could possibly believe it. When the rumor mill STARTS with ridiculous speculation like this, imagine where it'll end up after it is passed around second-hand 15 times. Just something to think about.

thebroker, I'm sure you know more about the 'biz' than I do, but here (as posted by upstate29651) is Entercom's financial data: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=ETM

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

Re: Anderson University interested in buying WROQ-FM Rock 101 and moving the stu

thebroker, I'm sure you know more about the 'biz' than I do, but here (as posted by upstate29651) is Entercom's financial data: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=ETM

Stock price doesn't have alot to do with the stations need to sell or their ratings..... so their stock price doesnt play into this discussion too much.

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

Re: Anderson University interested in buying WROQ-FM Rock 101 and moving the stu

If Entercom were to sell anything it should be 93.3 and 106.3, as those are usually the lowest rated and aren't top 5 material. I don't believe this but they should buy 1020 or 103.1 if they were wanting to buy anything.

I was thinking the same thing... they'd probably sell 93.3 first.

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

Re: Anderson University interested in buying WROQ-FM Rock 101 and moving the stu

I don`t know if Entercom wants to sell, but Anderson University may want the 100,000 watt blowtorch to spread their message, the transmitter is nearby. For many years, the 101.1 studios were at Anderson College (even as recent as the late 1980`s). If you look good enough, you still can see the wcac 101 fm/waim 1230 paint on the side of one of the buildings there. You have to look good, but you still can see it. 101.1 WCAC had a policy of "No Jungle Music" in the 1960`s and 1970`s. They used this slogan in ads. Wilton hall owned this station for MANY years. He sold it to Frank Outlaw (founder of Bi-Lo Grocery) in 1978. The call letters were changed to WAIM-FM 101.1 in the mid 1970`s. Rock 101 started here in late 1978 under Frank Outlaw who also bought WAIM am 1230 and WAIM-TV 40-all located at Anderson College.

Just because Anderson University may want to buy it, doesn't mean they stand any chance or Entercom wants to sell.

What I have a feeling you HEARD is that some folks saying they wish they had a station there and talked about WROQ, but I seriously doubt they actually talked about buying 101.1

I've noticed one thing, you talk ALOT about the past and the way things used to be.... times have changed, get in step with things!

 

[Lhsh]

I would think that definitely 93.3 would be a better choice for a college radio station because of its poor ratings and general audience, but don't lookffor it to be sold anytime soon.

 

[Lhsh]

Re: Anderson University interested in buying WROQ-FM Rock 101 and moving the stu

I lived in Anderson in the late 1980's and it was not owned by Ancerson Coolege or located there. At the time the call letters were WCKN and then later changed to WROQ and was in Greenville by this time. WAIM was near Anderson College, but its stuidos are not there now. They may have been at one time many years ago, and think that yopu need to get all of your facts straight before you post them here as well as I agree quit living int he past because the past is the past and I want to see radio strengthened for today.

I don`t know if Entercom wants to sell, but Anderson University may want the 100,000 watt blowtorch to spread their message, the transmitter is nearby. For many years, the 101.1 studios were at Anderson College (even as recent as the late 1980`s). If you look good enough, you still can see the wcac 101 fm/waim 1230 paint on the side of one of the buildings there. You have to look good, but you still can see it. 101.1 WCAC had a policy of "No Jungle Music" in the 1960`s and 1970`s. They used this slogan in ads. Wilton hall owned this station for MANY years. He sold it to Frank Outlaw (founder of Bi-Lo Grocery) in 1978. The call letters were changed to WAIM-FM 101.1 in the mid 1970`s. Rock 101 started here in late 1978 under Frank Outlaw who also bought WAIM am 1230 and WAIM-TV 40-all located at Anderson College.

Just because Anderson University may want to buy it, doesn't mean they stand any chance or Entercom wants to sell.

What I have a feeling you HEARD is that some folks saying they wish they had a station there and talked about WROQ, but I seriously doubt they actually talked about buying 101.1

I've noticed one thing, you talk ALOT about the past and the way things used to be.... times have changed, get in step with things!

 

[carolinaradio]

I think Entercom would get rid of 106.3 before 93.3. Actually the only benefit from that Barnstable purchase was WROQ, IMO.

 

[Goodtimesandgreatoldies]

LLsh, you read my post wrong. I never said that Anderson College had ever owned 101.1. As I said before, it was owned by and founded by Wilton E. Hall. It (along with WAIM-AM 1230 and WAIM-TV 40) was sold to Frank Outlaw (who founded Bi-Lo Grocery). The studios remained at Anderson College until about 1983 or so when they were moved down Highway 29 North to a new building. (WAIM-1230 still uses these studios.) Frank Outlaw sold WCKN 101 in the early 1980`s. The station moved to greenville around 1989 or so. Lee Rogers was the PD for a good part of the 1980`s. And, yes Anderson University wants to buy 101.1 because of its` 100,000 watts of power and its` ties to the University. Wilton hall founded WAIM-AM 1230 in 1932 and the studios were ALWAYS at AU for many years. When 101.1 was founded in the 1940`s, the studios were with WAIM-AM 1230 at Anderson College. WAIM-TV 40 came along in the early 1950`s and had their studios there too. In the 1960`s, the studios were relocated to a brick building in the rear portion of Anderson College where they remained until the 1980`s. Bill Love (of WMYI-Fm My 102.5) worked at WAIM-FM Rock 101 when it was founded in 1978. There is a famous true story of a kid who atteneded Anderson College. He won a couple of cases of beer from the station (back then they gave it away on air and the legal drinking age was 18). The kid picked up the beer from the WAIM studios on campus, consumed most of it and became very drunk. he caused alot of property damage and was caught by police climbing the large WAIM antenna (which still today stands) at the rear of the school. This was a true story and Bill love was talking about it a few years ago on another website....Yes, 101.1 has alot of local history in Anderson.

 

[thebroker]

Re: Anderson University interested in buying WROQ-FM Rock 101 and moving the stu

thebroker, I'm sure you know more about the 'biz' than I do, but here (as posted by upstate29651) is Entercom's financial data: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=ETM

Click on the "yearly" tab (instead of looking at quarterly numbers)...you'll notice that gross revenue is UP every year over the past three years, meaning that in general the business has remained healthy and continues to grow. Also notice that the company made healthy profits in '05 and '06, which are significantly greater than the loss in '07. Also consider that the '07 numbers may well contain one-time expenses (like HD converstion, for example). One bad year, as far as net profit goes, certainly isn't a killer when you consider A) continuing growth in income and B) profitability in recent years. Just my opinion/observation.