Citadel Leading Candidate to Purchase Some Former CBS Stations in Rochester

[The Voice of Reason]

Word is that Citadel might be the company that will purchase a few of the former CBS stations that were sold to Entercom last year. With the recent acquisition of stations in Buffalo, Citadel wants to establish itself in Rochester. One of the stations in the chain that is constantly being mentioned being on the list up for sale is 101.3, WRMM.
The second FM is still anyone's guess, but it is unlikely that Entercom will let WCMF and WRMM go. Most likely the second FM will be one of the low-power stations with low ratings. However the sale is expected to be announced very soon.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Adding to "The Mix"...

Since Citadel already owns stations in Buffalo, Syracuse, and Binghamton, it seems that Rochester would be a good fit. If WRRM is part of the mix, it gives them an anchor. I'm sure that you're right about the rest of the stations being rimshots or lower power. Kevin Legrett would probably like to compete with his old cronies in the market as well.

There are two big flies in the ointment. Does Entercom really want Citadel in the market as a competitor, and can Citadel swing this deal in the midst of the ABC/Disney "merger"? The ABC/Citadel deal seems to be on the verge of unravelling - which may or may not be a bad thing considering recent performances on both sides.

 

[Mark Giardina]

Re: Adding to "The Mix"...

Since Citadel already owns stations in Buffalo, Syracuse, and Binghamton, it seems that Rochester would be a good fit. If WRRM is part of the mix, it gives them an anchor. I'm sure that you're right about the rest of the stations being rimshots or lower power. Kevin Legrett would probably like to compete with his old cronies in the market as well.

There are two big flies in the ointment. Does Entercom really want Citadel in the market as a competitor, and can Citadel swing this deal in the midst of the ABC/Disney "merger"? The ABC/Citadel deal seems to be on the verge of unravelling - which may or may not be a bad thing considering recent performances on both sides.

I agree with your observation that Citadel would try to establish a foothold in the Rochester market considering they have already established themselves in Buffalo and Syracuse.

Besides Kevin lives in Rochester and commutes to Buffalo. Now maybe he can stay closer to home and run the Rochester stations.

I too have heard that WRMM is one of the two stations that Entercom will sell off. The other is anyone's guess, but it would make sense to dump one of their underperforming FM's.

 

[raymond_shaw]

Several weeks back, someone posted on this board a link to a DOJ webpage with the final agreement/approval with Entercom. Entercom will own CMF, PXY, The Bee, The Buzz & WROC. They will spin off WRRM, Fickle and The Zone to another company.

 

[ThePickleReport]

They will spin off WRRM, Fickle and The Zone to another company.

As I've said before, that could be a nice little cluster for someone if the price is right. WRMM is a nice anchor and one might choose to spin the format wheel on the other two if desired.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Getting WRRMer

If Citadel can get WRRM for the right price, it would make a nice anchor. It would be interesting to see what they would do with the other two.

Since the "Farid & Judy Show" is in love with Opie & Anthony, could they move them from PM Drive to AM Drive on The Zone, and send Rover back to the dog house? Would they consider syndicating Shredd & Ragan, who are killing in their demo in Buffalo, on The Zone in PM Drive, and tweak the format more towards what The Edge in Buffalo is doing?

How about Fickle? Might Citadel take it Country and take at shot at WBEE? I can't believe that they'd continue with the current format.

Is Regent lurking in the background, looking for another upstate NY market?

Isn't speculation fun?

 

[Radknowski]

Isn't speculation fun?

It's our raison d'être, no?

But the question is, why would Citadel want to get into the Rochester market, owning two weak FM's and one full power FM? Although the DOJ filing indicates Entercom would divest WRRM, it is conceivable that the company could make an acceptable argument to retain WRRM and instead, spin off WPXY. It's generally accepted that WRRM is the stronger of the two, with respect to format and billing.

With the possible exception of WPXY (CHR) which is strong but far from dominant, Fickle (Adult Hits) and the Zone (Alternative)(whatever the hell that means these days) present relatively weak formats, in comparison to the stations and formats that top of the Rochester ratings.

For the sake of argument, let's presume Citadel finds a successful format for one or both of the Class A FM's. What would prevent Infinity or Clear Channel from squashing Citadel's efforts by putting a similar or improved format on one of their stronger FM's?

With the exception fo Spanish, Oldies or Standards, it seems Entercom and Clear Channel's FM's have all the successful formats covered.

Given this scenario, what incentive (other than to reduce Mr. LeGrett's commute) is there for Citadel to buy into Rochester?

 

[Mark Giardina]

what incentive (other than to reduce Mr. LeGrett's commute) is there for Citadel to buy into Rochester?

Money my friend, money. Despite what some might think there is plenty of green stuff floating around this city. Besides Rochester covers a metro market over a million people. So why some might question why would a media company want to buy one strong FM and two weak ones, the answer is simple; Money, Lira, Pesos.

As for what formats are left, I agree few. But that doesn't mean you can't format a station and compete against others IF one does it right.

Personally I would love to see an FM station that also has local news on the hour (and bottom of the hour during drive time) along with local personalities and music I enjoy listening too.

Granted that I am going too soon out of the demographic range advertiser’s desire (I will be 55 in April) but that doesn't mean I'm ready for the retirement home either. And besides it's not my kids who listen to radio, but me and I'm sure more of my generation.

 

[SpareChange]

Personally I would love to see an FM station that also has local news on the hour (and bottom of the hour during drive time) along with local personalities and music I enjoy listening too.

Dreaming again? Those days are over. Sadly. Citadel has its hands full with the ABC deal, its Syracuse properties are under-performing and Buffalo survives quarter-to-quarter. It's good to know you're proud of Rochester, but it too is a market not much better off than Buffalo. It's more likely Citadel takes a pass on this "opportunity" and concentrates on the issues at hand, like getting the ABC deal done and getting Syracuse back to good health.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Bean Counting

It's all about the price. WRRM is a major player in the market, has real value. The other two are, well, radio stations in the Rochester market. I'll leave it at that.

If Citadel can get this little cluster for a number that WRRM can support, they'll bite. I'll bet that they'd bite if the revenue from WRRM covers the purchase price, and any profit comes from the meager return on The Zone and Fickle. Entercom is NOT going to give these stations up cheap, and have no reason to do Citadel any favors. Entercom paid big money for the CC stations, and wants some of it back. I'm sure that they also remember that Citadel drove up the price of The Lake to over $10-million a few years ago.

Remember, Citadel has no property in town, and would have to negotiate tower rentals, establish offices, hire support staff, and decide what they want to do with Brands X & Y. As for Citadel starting a news department - BWAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH. They don't have a real news person in the entire Buffalo cluster as far as I can see. They sure aren't gonna pay for one in Roch-cha-cha.

IF Citadel buys in, chalk it up to Legret's powers of persuasion with Farid & Co. If only he could figure out how to fix Syracuse. Oh, wait - Opie & Anthony on 95X mornings - THAT'S the answer.

 

[Mark Giardina]

Dreaming again? Those days are over. Sadly. Citadel has its hands full with the ABC deal, its Syracuse properties are under-performing and Buffalo survives quarter-to-quarter. It's good to know you're proud of Rochester, but it too is a market not much better off than Buffalo. It's more likely Citadel takes a pass on this "opportunity" and concentrates on the issues at hand, like getting the ABC deal done and getting Syracuse back to good health.

Yeah dreaming again. But you know if nobody else is doing it (that kind of format) what's to say it wouldn't work?

 

[JustPastBuffalo]

Dreaming again? Those days are over. Sadly. Citadel has its hands full with the ABC deal, its Syracuse properties are under-performing and Buffalo survives quarter-to-quarter. It's good to know you're proud of Rochester, but it too is a market not much better off than Buffalo. It's more likely Citadel takes a pass on this "opportunity" and concentrates on the issues at hand, like getting the ABC deal done and getting Syracuse back to good health.

Yeah dreaming again. But you know if nobody else is doing it (that kind of format) what's to say it wouldn't work?

My friends Tom Atkins, Jim Santella, Brian J. Walker, Tom Pysz, Tom Schuh, Mark Scott, Al Wallack and I have, and have had this discussion on a regular basis, especially as it relates to terrestrial radio's survival against competition from satellite, WiFi and iPods, AM vs. FM, music formats vs. news formats and other considerations.

The discussion goes something like this: "News, especially local news, is a fine idea, but how much is enough, how much is too much, and what is there to say it doesn't motivate some listeners to tune out and go to (other) music stations that don't do news?"

Then, we discuss, "It's a great idea, but what happens if and when it whets the appetite of regular listeners to tune to the news-talk station?" And further, "what's to say it doesn't drive listeners to the web and check out Yahoo, Google, NBC, Fox, CNN or USA Today?"

Here's yet another angle, "Just what is news these days?" What's news to a 22 year old female may not satisfy a 40 year old female; what's news to a 25 year old male may not be even close to news to a 45 year old male. As I write this, CNN is (and has been) doing extended ("wall to wall" as we used to say at WGR Newsradio 55) coverage of Anna Nicole Smith's death. Scooter Libby has been relegated to a "B" or "C" rotation story. Iraq? I guess the war has been put on hold...

We also have the "can jocks do news and sound credible and knowledgeable?" discussion.

Our debates usually evolve into WHERE the news is placed in the hour: Top, bottom, 15 & 45, 20-20 or "First, at 55 and 25." In the end, we solve all the world's problems but accomplish nothing. Yet, it's always a good time and we have some great discussions.


-Jim

 

[ThePickleReport]

Isn't speculation fun?

With the exception fo Spanish, Oldies or Standards, it seems Entercom and Clear Channel's FM's have all the successful formats covered.

Yeah it is fun!

The two Class A stations are probably best relegated to niche formats. I think oldies and Triple A would make a nice match with WRMM.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

I'd just like about 3 minutes of news at the top of the hour to let me know what's going on in the world. That would be enough to keep me on one station. Listening to a station with no jock or one I know is voicetracked I feel I'm missing something. To quoote Arosmith "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing". That's just me!

Mike

 

[Mark Giardina]

My friends Tom Atkins, Jim Santella, Brian J. Walker, Tom Pysz, Tom Schuh, Mark Scott, Al Wallack and I have, and have had this discussion on a regular basis, especially as it relates to terrestrial radio's survival against competition from satellite, WiFi and iPods, AM vs. FM, music formats vs. news formats and other considerations.

The discussion goes something like this: "News, especially local news, is a fine idea, but how much is enough, how much is too much, and what is there to say it doesn't motivate some listeners to tune out and go to (other) music stations that don't do news?"

Then, we discuss, "It's a great idea, but what happens if and when it whets the appetite of regular listeners to tune to the news-talk station?" And further, "what's to say it doesn't drive listeners to the web and check out Yahoo, Google, NBC, Fox, CNN or USA Today?"

Here's yet another angle, "Just what is news these days?" What's news to a 22 year old female may not satisfy a 40 year old female; what's news to a 25 year old male may not be even close to news to a 45 year old male. As I write this, CNN is (and has been) doing extended ("wall to wall" as we used to say at WGR Newsradio 55) coverage of Anna Nicole Smith's death. Scooter Libby has been relegated to a "B" or "C" rotation story. Iraq? I guess the war has been put on hold...

We also have the "can jocks do news and sound credible and knowledgeable?" discussion.

Our debates usually evolve into WHERE the news is placed in the hour: Top, bottom, 15 & 45, 20-20 or "First, at 55 and 25." In the end, we solve all the world's problems but accomplish nothing. Yet, it's always a good time and we have some great discussions.


-Jim

I guess I'm remembering what WHAM was like when I worked there. We had news on the hour and half-hour during drive time. A 1/2 hour newscast at 5 and 11pm, music and personality radio throughout the day with veteran announcers who had worked their way up through the ranks from small town radio to Rochester. (Some went on to larger markets; Bill Shusta to KYW in Philly) Talk was delegated to either early evening or late night.

Of course that format will not work in this day and age and even I know that. Times have changed and so has radio. Nostalgia is nice, but it needs to be put in its place.

I could sit here and lament on the decline of localism in radio, but what good will that do? We are not to going see the return of the days where ownership was limited to just two stations per market. Hell even many small town radio stations have eliminated most live talent and gone the way of syndication and automation. Which of course means there is no place for young people to gather the experience like we did back in the 70s and 80s and use that experience to move on to larger markets.

What's the future for radio? I have no idea. But I don't see a silver lining, just cloudy skies for a long time to come unless things change, and quickly.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Cross-Promotion

In Buffalo, Star 102.5 is (was?) doing a :60-:90 newscast at the top of the hour, pre-recorded by the WBEN news department. It served two purposes - keeping Star listeners feeling like they weren't missing anything, and promoting WBEN for those who wanted more details.

According to the ratings, it doesn't look like it hurt either Star or WBEN. Of course, you need a news department at ONE of your stations for this to work.

 

[Call Me Sherlock]

Interesting! Years ago, radio was the main source for immediate breaking news, local or otherwise. If it was happening, it was happening on the radio. TV would have the story later on the evening news.

Not too many years ago, when television started losing rating shares with the proliferation of 100s cable channels, TV stations decided to fight back by adding more local news -- spending thousands and thousands of dollars on ENG equipment, helicopters, dopler radar and satellite trucks.

And it seems to have worked. When there’s breaking news, local or national, where do most people turn first today to follow the story? Television.

Radio, on the other hand—well, we know what happened there.

Now, "cookie cutter" programming, too many commercials, other listening/entertainment options and time spent listening to radio shrinking -- we have programmers, consultants and others suggesting that the answer to staving off satellite radio is LOCAL programming.

The question is: Are any of the "big guys" in their ivory towers listening, or are they too busy trying to find an HD radio to listen to?

 

[Element9]

The question is: Are any of the "big guys" in their ivory towers listening, or are they too busy trying to find an HD radio to listen to?

Here you have raised an especially good point, one of many in your post and this thread. The big radio companies have gone to extremes investing mounds of money in HD radio, which might turn out to be no more than a hedged bet against satellite radio and other aural entertainment delivery systems.

I know many professionals in the business and I can count on one hand the number of people who own HD receivers. Those that do own them are either engineers or consultants.

Sir Roxalot, in an earlier post, succinctly stated that it is difficult to write, produce and present news when a station does NOT have a news department. How profoundly yet simply true. For the amount of money these companies invest in HD, such as new transmitters and exciters, monitors and in some cases even transmission line and antennae, a station could handsomely equip a news department and hire a three to five person news staff. One 24 hour news staff serving three or four FM radio stations sounds like a good investment.

The issue here is people. Equipment, most often being capital expenditures, can be amortized and depreciated on each year's tax filings. On the other hand, people need to be paid, provided benefits and even with the stingiest budgeting, given a raise each year. Fiscally speaking, it's more efficient for these FM clusters to invest in EQUIPMENT and automation programs such as AudioVault, Profit and MediaTouch than to invest in PERSONNEL.

With no disrespect intended toward Jim Pastrick, FM radio stations are little more than jukeboxes, programmed by astute, computer-proficient men and women, using the latest technologies. What many of these stations lack is a consistent, across-the-board human element. The sad thing is it doesn't seem to matter to some listeners. From what I've seen, WBUF-Jack seems to be doing fine. Its morning show out-performs some stations that have live, two person personality shows.

While many stations have live jocks on the air in most daypart, reading the weather, liners and sounding happy and "into it." For the most part, outside of morning drive, there is a cap on expression and creativity. Be creative with that liner placed first in sequence followed by seven or eight 60 second commercials, but make sure you do it in 15 seconds or less.

A program director once told me face-to-face, "if we're talking, we're losing." "Really?" I replied, "then we better do something about those two, ten minute commercial breaks twice each hour, because they're killing us!" He wasn't amused.

Even morning drive is lacking in morning news on FM music stations. No offense to anybody from Metro News who might post and read here, but Metro news doesn't stack up against WBEN, WNED-AM or WBFO. The fact is, if a listener wants to know about the news or the newsmakers, he or she tunes not to WJYE, WHTT, WYRK, WBUF, WEDG or WTSS, but to the real news stations: WBEN, WNED-AM or WBFO-FM.

Today, even news radio stations are losing morning drive listeners to television news morning shows, which provide the news with pictures and almost as much happy talk as the morning Circus, Zoo and whatever else is on the top ten FM music stations.

School closings? No radio station, even AM news-talk stations, can provide first line, morning school and business closings and cancellations as effectively as television does by broadcasting a constant, alphabetized updated crawl.

If they know and understand the community and the issues within the community, jocks may be as capable of reading news as any of the talking heads seen on local television at 6 and 11 every night. (Of course, they may not be able to articulate as well as Don Postles, who apparently has trouble articulating the "t" in his last name.)
Still, jocks are no replacement for a legitimate news person who lives, eats, breathes and digs for the news day in and day out and reports the news after making calls, asking (the right) questions, getting tape and nat sound.

The best way to understand any community, small, medium or large is to read the local paper, live in the community and talk to the news makers, movers and shakers. Hard for jocks to do this while they're playing ten in a row.

-9-

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Mark G and Element 9 echo my thoughts on the matter so with that in mind does it really matter who owns what? It would seem that groups pay so much for stations that there is very little money or concern to opearate them properly. Stations that at one time were 100% live can't afford it now and they say they must voice track or just run the automation.

Then there are the expert programmers who worked very hard and eliminated all the tune outs. The problem is in the process they also eliminated allot of things we turned to radio for.

An example is WKBW 1520, once a giant in radio. All the while people always complained the jocks talked too much and they did. They were great and we loved it. Why? Because they had content and not just station positioning liners.

 

[Mark Giardina]

Interesting! Years ago, radio was the main source for immediate breaking news, local or otherwise. If it was happening, it was happening on the radio. TV would have the story later on the evening news.

Not too many years ago, when television started losing rating shares with the proliferation of 100s cable channels, TV stations decided to fight back by adding more local news -- spending thousands and thousands of dollars on ENG equipment, helicopters, dopler radar and satellite trucks.

And it seems to have worked. When there’s breaking news, local or national, where do most people turn first today to follow the story? Television.

Radio, on the other hand—well, we know what happened there.

Now, "cookie cutter" programming, too many commercials, other listening/entertainment options and time spent listening to radio shrinking -- we have programmers, consultants and others suggesting that the answer to staving off satellite radio is LOCAL programming.

The question is: Are any of the "big guys" in their ivory towers listening, or are they too busy trying to find an HD radio to listen to?

Yes I agree it is amazing that the same people who virtually destroyed local radio are now talking about bringing it back. Personally I think it's too late for that. And besides, as mentioned on here by a number of people, including yours truly, personality radio means hiring more people which will cut into the bottom line.

I wouldn't bet the farm on that prediction.