Disney to "spin off" radio stations?

[timbuc2]

Got this from marketwatch.com. There's also a direct link to the story on dcrtv.com, about the 10th story from the top of the page.

The article basically says the Disney is looking to spin off and merge its radio division with another radio company and the move could come when Michael Eisner leaves Disney. Disney says possible buyers are: Cox, Citadel, Entercom, and Emmis. Clear Channel Radio Chief Executive John Hogan is quoted as saying something along the lines of; we're interested in improving our portfolio, there are a number of Disney stations we can add to our portfolio, and do well with.

So, if Disney does sell off stations, or merges with another company, etc. what do you think will happen with WWMK 1260 AM? Who's the front runner to buy or merge with Disney? What format could end up on 1260(if there's a flip)?

Again the question comes up, can CC add another AM station to its Cleveland cluster? If they merge with Disney, and the FCC says they can't add a station, then what? Sell an FM station? Which one?

Side note: I'm not suggesting any of this is going to happen. Just throwing it out there for discussion.

 

[JohnnyMorganWXJX]

> So, if Disney does sell off stations, or merges with another
> company, etc. what do you think will happen with WWMK 1260
> AM? Who's the front runner to buy or merge with Disney?
> What format could end up on 1260(if there's a flip)?

There's only two really active formats on AM now: talk and religion. If it's sold to a "big boy," then you can rule out anything other than that.

If it's sold to a local ownership group (for lack of a better example, Carl Hirsch), then you might see some experimentation--maybe an oldies format; possibly standards-easy listening.

And don't take Salem out of the running. They can own up to 5 of a single service--and they're at 3 AMs right now.

> Again the question comes up, can CC add another AM station
> to its Cleveland cluster? If they merge with Disney, and
> the FCC says they can't add a station, then what? Sell an
> FM station? Which one?

CC is just below the limit in Cleveland proper. But it all depends on what method the FCC decides to use in determining limits--contour or Arb market. Contour, some Akron stations may hurt. Arb market, CC's golden.

And CC will NOT sell an FM (they have the majority of the big FM signals, including three 50kw ERPs, and WMJI and WMMS have intangible benefits). The gain would be a regional AM, at 10k days-5k directional at night. No brainer there.

 

[nate81]

> > So, if Disney does sell off stations, or merges with
> another
> > company, etc. what do you think will happen with WWMK 1260
>
> > AM? Who's the front runner to buy or merge with Disney?
> > What format could end up on 1260(if there's a flip)?
>
> There's only two really active formats on AM now: talk and
> religion. If it's sold to a "big boy," then you can rule
> out anything other than that.
>
> If it's sold to a local ownership group (for lack of a
> better example, Carl Hirsch), then you might see some
> experimentation--maybe an oldies format; possibly
> standards-easy listening.
>
> And don't take Salem out of the running. They can own up to
> 5 of a single service--and they're at 3 AMs right now.

Oh they could. And 1260 would become 24/7 Solid Gospel (the piped-in SRN format on WHLO/640 that preceded CC's flip to N/T...) It would take no effort at all to run, just like WHK. And I'm not being cynical here...

- nate81<P ID="signature">______________
Nathan Obral
University Partership Representative
Student Senate
Lorain County Community College, Elyria, Ohio

LCCC Radio - The Duck</P>