Binghamton Clear Channel Stations will be on the block

[audio4tv]

In their SEC filing, Binghamton Clear Channel Stations are going to be spun off.

 

[ThePickleReport]

Where do you see that?

 

[mistermicrophone]

Where do you see that?

Go to All Access Net News section...there is a link to the clusters for sale.

 

[Radknowski]

The Clear Channel Binghamton cluster is on the spin-off list, which can be found in detail at Radio & Records.

 

[moohead]

Well...

The new equity boys wanna sell 448 non top 100 markets. I'll translate:

"We'll keep the markets with the easy National/Regional dollars, and spin the ones that you actually have to WORK to make money".

Here's a great stat: Out of 1300 stations, the 448 in non top 100 markets represent 10% of their income. 33% of their stations represent 10% of their revenues. They're just not geared to operate in local markets. Never were.

One piece of chocolate cake is good. Two is pushing it. The whole cake makes you sick. Owning everything is not the answer. Radio revenues are pushed by competition and drive.

I hope Binghamton is purchased by a capable broadcaster.

Moo

 

[Reporter]

I hope Binghamton is purchased by a capable broadcaster.

Moo

YOU are capable...

 

[moohead]

Kind of you to say that. I'm NOT capable, however, of purchasing a ton of stations. I imagine CC will sell "en masse" to a few regional operators. One of them might be smart enough to give me a call about Binghamton. But I wouldn't bet on it!!!

Moo

 

[Reporter]

Kind of you to say that. I'm NOT capable, however, of purchasing a ton of stations. I imagine CC will sell "en masse" to a few regional operators. One of them might be smart enough to give me a call about Binghamton. But I wouldn't bet on it!!!

Moo

With the respect that you've gained while you were here, would you buy Binghamton if offered??? That was my point..If I had the $$$ I would inquire, build a better radio, and fire a couple of people I really can't stand

 

[moohead]

There are many levels to this question. Some thoughts:

At what multiple is the market selling for after 6 years of economic damage in our economy?

What do the stations bill compared to what I left behind?

How bad have the hit on Star's ratings affected their billing?

How much has CC cannibalized the physical plant to accomodate their "culture" (prophet system, voice tracking, etc)

Where are the REAL radio sales pros 6 years after CC took over? I would INSIST upon the most talented people. Are they in TV now?

Formats.....what are the stations doing now? Whatever it is would need tweaking and localizing.

Would I buy the stations back? If I felt they were a wise investment like they were the first time around. I have no clue what CC has done in the last 6 years, except turf Star's numbers and allow Hawk to regain supremacy in the market.

I do have a plan, however.....

Moo

 

[MikeRadknowski]

The new equity boys wanna sell 448 non top 100 markets. I'll translate: "We'll keep the markets with the easy National/Regional dollars, and spin the ones that you actually have to WORK to make money".

Here's a great stat: Out of 1300 stations, the 448 in non top 100 markets represent 10% of their income. 33% of their stations represent 10% of their revenues. They're just not geared to operate in local markets. Never were. One piece of chocolate cake is good. Two is pushing it. The whole cake makes you sick. Owning everything is not the answer. Radio revenues are pushed by competition and drive.

Salient observation. From what I've heard from well-(and highly)-placed sources, the New CC could spin some of those top 100 markets as well. Your figures seem to bolster that possibility. CC thought they could homogenize the industry, minimizing costs and force programming that originated (and may have worked well) in Cincinnati into markets like Binghamton. Didn't work. Certainly didn't work as well and as efficiently as it looked on paper.

Local listeners like LOCAL stuff. Binghamton listeners probably wouldn't dig the stuff that works well in Buffalo. What works in Buffalo MIGHT work in Binghamton, but LISTENERS in Binghamton want to hear Binghamton PERSONALITIES and news people execute the game plan.

CC had a game plan for its radio empire, unfortunately, it didn't get them in the end zone and when all's said and done they couldn't force the pass into zone coverage. Dopes.

RICH dopes, but dopes nonetheless.

For the record, there are no CC stations in Buffalo. We rely on Citadel, CBS-Regent and Entercom for radio excellence.

[/Mike]