Buckley sells WOR New York to Clear Channel

[mjb1124]

http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/109115/ccm-e-to-buy-wor-a-new-york

Will their Connecticut stations be next?

 

[KML0224]

Doubt it, since they'd be over their cap in Hartford/New Britain/Middletown? Is WDRC-AM 1360 and FM 102.9 would put them over it. Is WWCO-AM 1240 of Waterbury not part of our market?

 

[Big Bill]

It doesn't have to be Clear Channel, but this seems to be an upcoming trend.

 

[Bill-in-CT]

Is WWCO-AM 1240 of Waterbury not part of our market?

Waterbury is a separate market.

 

[CTListener]

I'm wondering if the Buckley family might be cashing out completely, or just downsizing. If WDRC and WDRC-FM aren't spun off to somebody else (not maxed-out CC, of course), could the windfall from the sale of WOR mean significant changes here -- more local programming on the AM? local talent in the evening and overnights on the FM?

 

[DToTheJ]

If the Buckleys wanted to phase themselves out of radio, they probably would have started with the smaller stations like the ones in Connecticut first before working their way up to a price tag for WOR.

 

[progressivetalk]

Local talent on WDRC AM might be helpful,but not five or so Brad Davises or Lovallo types. Some originality please!!! However unless it's a total change in format, like progressive talk during the day with a local news component (say Ch 30 from 5-7 am and 5-6:30 pm for the drive to and from work and the "libs" from 7-5 and either the new CBS or NBC sports networks from 7pm to 5 am and on the weekends, where does WDRC AM go?

 

[Bill-in-CT]

If the Buckleys wanted to phase themselves out of radio, they probably would have started with the smaller stations like the ones in Connecticut first before working their way up to a price tag for WOR.

I'm guessing Clear Channel approached Buckley for WOR in order to clear its Premiere talk shows in New York. Rush could loose WABC to Cumulus' cheaper and in-house Mike Huckabee. Beck does not have a New York station.

 

[RadioMan203]

If the Buckleys wanted to phase themselves out of radio, they probably would have started with the smaller stations like the ones in Connecticut first before working their way up to a price tag for WOR.

But keep in mind that Buckley has invested heavily in WOR in recent years, both in a brand new transmitter plant as well as totally new and updated studio facilities. It could be maybe they want to clear up some of the cash they spent with the recent upgrades - besides, it's always easier to sell a facility when the equipment is state of the art and not in a state of disrepair.

From what I know the DRC AM/FM facilities haven't been updated for some time so they may garner less dollars from a would-be buyer.

 

[JPB ENT]

That sound you just heard was the 1st dominoe falling. . .

 

[scottg]

What happens to Tom Rey?

I dont think there has been a better engineer anywhere.

 

[progressivetalk]

Small point here, but when WOR goes to CC, what happens to the weekend programming now on WOR, the car talk, cruises to Italy, dying pansies, how to cut your cat's claws, and the best way to barbecue a NY cut steak? WDRC AM carries most of the weekend syndicated programming from WOR.

 

[CTListener]

I'm sure there's another shoe that will fall, we'll just have to be patient. Or continue to fish for inside info or hot rumors. ;D

 

[RadioMan203]

Small point here, but when WOR goes to CC, what happens to the weekend programming now on WOR, the car talk, cruises to Italy, dying pansies, how to cut your cat's claws, and the best way to barbecue a NY cut steak? WDRC AM carries most of the weekend syndicated programming from WOR.

It all depends if the WOR Radio Network was part of the sale or if Buckley would retain intellectual property rights on that. Of course, the network consists of most of its own air personalities.

I wasn't aware that WDRC-AM carried syndie programming from WOR.

 

[DToTheJ]

And like WOR, WDRC also carried (and later dropped) Premiere's Glenn Beck... of course, there's no chance of Beck returning to WDRC, as there is on WOR...