Clear Channel Albuquerque Spinoffs

[EDwalker]

From this filing, it looks like KSYU, KTEG, KZRR and KABQ-AM.

http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101190614&formid=314&fac_num=1130

I don't get them dumping KZRR - and keeping low-rated KABQ-FM...??

 

[Kent]

Actually, one of the attachments indicates the entire cluster is being spun, which leaves me scratching my head. There are several other surprise markets, including Cleveland (minus WTAM), Orlando, Fresno, and New Orleans.

 

[JMpstar]

Wow. Any chance that you could give us a link to that attachement, please, Kent?

So will these stations continue to operate as normal for now? We could be looking at a couple of new radio companies here in New Mexico. With what looks like the entire Clear Channel cluster in a trust, as well as KIOT and KBZU, things could get interesting. So now that these stations are in trusts, does it officially mean that they're up for sale?

 

[Kent]

Wow. Any chance that you could give us a link to that attachement, please, Kent?

It's already posted. If you check the front page of Radio-Info where it mentions the trust application, it's part of that application. If you still have trouble, send me a private message, and I'll get you the link. I'll have plenty of time on my hands next week since my girlfriend will be leaving town Tuesday morning on business.

So will these stations continue to operate as normal for now? We could be looking at a couple of new radio companies here in New Mexico. With what looks like the entire Clear Channel cluster in a trust, as well as KIOT and KBZU, things could get interesting. So now that these stations are in trusts, does it officially mean that they're up for sale?

From a listener's standpoint, it will probably be pretty normal. From an employee's standpoint, it's almost certain to be pure hell. Short of being put out of a job, there's little worse than being put into a trust. However, it may not be quite as bad in this situation since it's the entire cluster instead of just a few stations. The trust has to operate completely separately from Clear Channel. So, say goodbye to your existing benefit package! As for whether this means the entire Albuquerque cluster is on the block, it usually does, but it doesn't have to. KLUV in Dallas was placed into a trust after Infinity acquired Granum Communications in 1996, but it was taken back out of the trust after KEWS was divested. KLUV was placed into trust because it was totally separate from the rest of Infinity's Dallas operations. Since the trust has to be operated completely separately from the rest of the cluster, it made sense to put the station that was already operating as a standalone into the trust.

 

[Cliff Reid]

Actually....all the details are in the document called "attachment 15" which is about multiple ownership (all the way at the bottom). In the second paragraph it states...

"In some grandfathered non compliant markets, CCC has not determined which
station or stations to place into the divesture Trust. For these markets, the Trust
Applications include each station in the non compliant combination. By the time the
parties to the Merger are ready to close that transaction, CCC will have decided which
stations to assign to the Trust, and will put into the Trust no more stations than are
allowable under the Commission’s radio ownership rules. Thus, the parties respectfully
request grant of the instant applications conditioned upon assignment into the Trust of
no more than the number of stations allowable under the multiple ownership rules."

CC is over by two FM's, and needs to spin off two (any guesses?). In order for the change of ownership to go through, this market and others like it (FRESNO, NEW ORLEANS, ETC)other "grandfathered" markets had to be put into trust. the sole reason is that it has not been determined which of the 6 FM's will be spun yet. That is all. The stations are not up for sale.....

http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101191305&formid=314&fac_num=500
http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=504989

 

[Kent]

Cliff, thanks for the information. Good research!

As for which of the stations Clear Channel will unload, my guesses would be KSYU 95.1 and KTEG 104.7. However, I was also pretty sure Univision would spin KQBT, but it looks like they've decided on KIOT.