Does Infinity have an Itch for Houston ?

[radiodial]

Friday, Aug. 5, 2005
"Viacom Exec Outlines Infinity's Future"

"Upgrading, revamping and improving our formats is already underway, as evidenced by our recent launch of nine Jack-FM stations,"

"Moonves said Infinity is also interesting in expanding its presence in the Spanish-language radio arena"

"He also highlighted Infinity's recent launch of an all-podcast station in San Francisco, KYCY (KYouRadio),"

From: R&R http://www.radioandrecords.com/Newsroom/2005_08_05/topstory.asp


Analysis from the pros here?

 

[slaterradio]

> Friday, Aug. 5, 2005
> "Viacom Exec Outlines Infinity's Future"
>
> "Upgrading, revamping and improving our formats is already
> underway, as evidenced by our recent launch of nine Jack-FM
> stations,"
>
> "Moonves said Infinity is also interesting in expanding its
> presence in the Spanish-language radio arena"
>
> "He also highlighted Infinity's recent launch of an
> all-podcast station in San Francisco, KYCY (KYouRadio),"
>
> From: R&R
htt> p://www.radioandrecords.com/Newsroom/2005_08_05/topstory.asp
>
>
>
> Analysis from the pros here?
>

They have 3 main properties here, all 3 of which are still making a good profit. KKBQ has finally given them some good competition, but Infinity is currently winning the country wars. Not by much, but by just enough.
I've heard nothing further on the Susquehanna sale, particularly KRBE, but Les could very well be alluding to Infinity's interest in expaning their properties.

Infinity and Cox are at the heart of Houston's "radio wars." They both are far under the FCC limit of station ownership and it's widely known that they are interested in weighing options about owning more stations in the Houston market.

Of course, nobody has spilled the beans as to exactly what they're looking into doing specifically with their presence in this market.

Infinity has three good Houston-based signals and a great coverage area. 2 FM 95,000 watt, class C's.
Cox and Infinity have a tremendous opportunity to shake up Houston radio.
Possibilities range from bringing Jack to Active Rock to adding more personalities to KTHT.

I have my eyes on these two companies and expect to see a few nudges from them in the next year.
Maybe the folks at Cox Atlanta running the stations here will take note of how much the KKBQ and KLDE tweaks have helped their presence and decide to give a flip about all of their FM's.