Fallout from the CBS Sale in Rochester

[dampier]

I don't see Entercom donating one of its properties to WXXI. First, I don't think any broadcast company would simply give away a frequency, despite the tax advantages. It's too valuable! But even if Entercom did, I can't imagine them selling to WXXI. An FM public radio signal would create too much competition, don't you think? I mean, very few people listen to the religious stations, so such a donation would make sense. Religious broadcasters don't offer much competition. Public radio does. So, I'd assume Entercom wouldn't simply give away a frequency, but would make WXXI pay for the right to compete against them.

How many people who spend their time with Diane Rehm are heading on over to 98PXY for Dance Party USA? I think we're talking about two entirely different groups of listeners here.

The rest of this discussion proves my point about the ineptness of FCC policies that say it's perfectly fine to take a limited resource like an FM frequency, give it away, and then waste it on a station that will have listeners in the hundreds who will barely keep it on the air because of begathons, programmed simply to prevent any competition with another station in a cluster. I've never been a fan of auctions and big $$ transactions in broadcasting. As far as I'm concerned, a limited resource like an AM/FM frequency should be the property of the government, licensed to a company public or private for the good of the community, and should they need to divest themselves, the frequency is returned to the government and assigned to someone else. I am not interested in regulators deciding on formats or programming, but this kind of horse trading licenses is crazy.

 

[Obtuse1]

If I were Clear Channel, I might scoop up one of these Entercomm sell-offs, and jettison the Nerve's current signal.

 

[ahlstar11]

All right....I've read too much to not put my two sense in. I am affiliated with 96.5 WCMF and am very much as speculative as you people are regarding this sale. The one thing is that it's all about profit and consolidation. How much worth can Entercom squeeze out of this sale? First things first; the top price gainers at CBS radio Rochester are 96.5WCMF and 101.3WRMM, those stations are most definitely staying at Entercom. It would be foolish to not keep Wease and Tony and Dee on mornings in Rochester. Wease especially because he is such a staple in Rochester. FCC standards state that in a market with no more that 14 stations only one corporation can have 4 stations in a cluster. So, Entercom will have to divest one of their FM stations also to keep two of CBS'. Therefore, my interpretation is that Entercom will most likely keep WBEE and switch WBZA format. Why? Because WBEE is the only country station in Rochester and WBZA because it has the strongest signal. I don't know which format WBZA will go for, but it will be one that pertains to a younger demographic. That's all I have. I mean, no one can be sure yet. We'll find out next year!

 

[Kent]

All right....I've read too much to not put my two sense in. I am affiliated with 96.5 WCMF and am very much as speculative as you people are regarding this sale. The one thing is that it's all about profit and consolidation. How much worth can Entercom squeeze out of this sale? First things first; the top price gainers at CBS radio Rochester are 96.5WCMF and 101.3WRMM, those stations are most definitely staying at Entercom. It would be foolish to not keep Wease and Tony and Dee on mornings in Rochester. Wease especially because he is such a staple in Rochester. FCC standards state that in a market with no more that 14 stations only one corporation can have 4 stations in a cluster. So, Entercom will have to divest one of their FM stations also to keep two of CBS'. Therefore, my interpretation is that Entercom will most likely keep WBEE and switch WBZA format. Why? Because WBEE is the only country station in Rochester and WBZA because it has the strongest signal. I don't know which format WBZA will go for, but it will be one that pertains to a younger demographic. That's all I have. I mean, no one can be sure yet. We'll find out next year!

Common sense says Entercom will keep WBEE, WCMF, WRMM and either WBZA or WPXY when all the dust settles out. However, I don't think I'd say anything is definitely going to happen. After all, who says the DOJ won't get involved, like it did with the ARS proposal to own WRMM, WCMF (AM/FM), WNVE, WPXY, WVOR, WHTK, and WHAM? I don't think anyone expected that, of the Lincoln Group stations it wanted to acquire, ARS would be forced to unload WVOR, WHTK and WHAM, thus only ending up with WPXY after working so skillfully to get WHAM. Also, I don't think I'd rule out Entercom trying to swap its excess for something more interesting. If that's the case, a higher biller might be swapped to make the deal work, especially if it involves a slightly larger market.

I'm not trying to scare anyone currently working for Entercom or CBS. I'm just saying that cliche phrase of, "Don't count your chickens 'till they hatch." I've been through a few station sales, and I don't envy what you're going through. Just do you best, and that's all you can do. Things work out one way or another in the end.

 

[Mark_Giardina]

It’s going to take at least six months before all of the paperwork is completed and the feds have a look-see to make sure all the I’s are dotted and the T’s crossed; so speculation is a bit premature as to what fate faces what station, don’t you think?

With that said I will only say that in the back of my pea brain I envision something completely different happening.

It is very possible that another established media company, or newly-formed group, will come in and offer Entercom money for some stations we haven’t even considered on the list of stations being mentioned. This same company, if it has the financial resources, might also consider purchasing a TV station in Rochester in order to make a run after Clear Channel.

Impossible or unlikely you say. Not really. Rochester, despite what some critics claim, is still a community that has money. And with the right owners, management, and especially talent/product, this scenario would not only work, but could very well be financially successful.

 

[Kent]

It’s going to take at least six months before all of the paperwork is completed and the feds have a look-see to make sure all the I’s are dotted and the T’s crossed; so speculation is a bit premature as to what fate faces what station, don’t you think?

Of course it's premature to make speculations or, unfortunately for those involved, make assumptions. However, this is a discussion board, and we're here to discuss possible outcomes and, maybe, what we'd do in this specific situation if we were running Entercom.

Impossible or unlikely you say. Not really. Rochester, despite what some critics claim, is still a community that has money. And with the right owners, management, and especially talent/product, this scenario would not only work, but could very well be financially successful.

I tend to think there will be at least one surprise in all of this. After all, I was in Kansas City when Entercom bought Sinclair's radio stations (except for St. Louis). Everyone was so sure they'd keep KCFX 101.1 because it was the highest biller in the market and had the rights to the Kansas City Chiefs. The common wisdom was that Entercom would keep KCFX and KQRC from the Sinclair deal and divest KXTR, KCIY and KKGM (AM). However, the DOJ got involved, and the result was spinoffs of KCMO AM/FM and KCFX. Entercom tried to keep the Chiefs by taking them to KYYS, but the DOJ squashed that idea, too. So, Entercom essentially got Sinclair's throw-aways, though they did get to keep the successful KQRC. I could see a similar scenario unfold in Rochester, even though the present DOJ is less regulatory than the previous one.

 

[scooterodell]

See NERW at fybush.com for an "expert" analysis of just how many stations Entercom is allowed to keep in Rochester...

 

[SirRoxalot]

Scott thinks that Entercom may be able to keep 5 FM signals in Rochester. Are there really 45 or more stations in the Rochester rating book? Do Canadian signals count?

He also mentions that former KISS jock Chrissy Cavotta is moving from Maine to Albany, and will be part of WFLY's new morning team.

 

[JakeLongwell]

Of all the Class B signals in play here, I think the one that might be impacted most will be 98.9. Why? The "classic hits" format on WBZA is very similar to the "classic rock" format of WCMF. As has been pointed out on this board, WCMF is one of the top billers for CBS, and would no doubt be the same for Entercom. So, if Entercome gets to keep 98.9, most likely they would change the format of the station so as to not take away from the 96.5 audience. Just what format they'd place on 98.9 is anyone's guess. Perhaps they'd consider returning oldies to the region. Or, maybe they'll use it as a more powerful outlet for Fickle.
If it turns out they must spin off one of the class B signals, then I think 98.9 would be the most likely candidate, for the same reason.

 

[SpareChange]

Scott thinks that Entercom may be able to keep 5 FM signals in Rochester. Are there really 45 or more stations in the Rochester rating book? Do Canadian signals count?

He also mentions that former KISS jock Chrissy Cavotta is moving from Maine to Albany, and will be part of WFLY's new morning team.

Canadian stations do not count as they are "below the line," which is the benchmark for everything I've seen (and read) where Arbitron has been the arbiter of market size and definition. So, the local station count is the total number of stations "above the line" in the rating book, NOT including LPFM's and translators.

Not being familiar with how many stations are "above the line" in Rochester, I can't and wouldn't dispute Scott Fybush's assessment in the matter, but it sure appears strange to see a market the size of Rochester having five Class B's allotted to one group.

 

[Kent]

Canadian stations do not count as they are "below the line," which is the benchmark for everything I've seen (and read) where Arbitron has been the arbiter of market size and definition. So, the local station count is the total number of stations "above the line" in the rating book, NOT including LPFM's and translators.

It seems like I heard Canadian and Mexican stations do count, but only if defined as part of the market by Arbitron or "home" to the market for at least two years. In the case of Rochester, I don't think the market definition includes any Canadian stations. However, it might, and probably would, be a different situation for Buffalo (or, for that matter, if we were talking Detroit, El Paso or San Diego).

Not being familiar with how many stations are "above the line" in Rochester, I can't and wouldn't dispute Scott Fybush's assessment in the matter, but it sure appears strange to see a market the size of Rochester having five Class B's allotted to one group.

Scott knows his stuff and is very, and I mean VERY, seldomly wrong about issues like this. However, I would like to know exactly what the 45 stations are. Last year's Radio Book only shows 39, including non-comms, in Rochester. I also agree that it seems strange for one group to have five class B's in a market like Rochester. I suspect we'll see Entercom's intentions unfold a little more clearly once the FCC paperwork is filed. They'll have to disclose the market at that time.

 

[SirRoxalot]

How Many Rochester Stations?

Arbitron's 12+ ratings for Rochester that are posted on their own site shows 34 stations, including several Buffalo stations and at least one Canadian station. The non-coms and translators aren't listed.

 

[scooterodell]

I've been in touch with Mr. Fybush, and this is the list he's using:

950 WROC
990 WLGZ
1040 WYSL
1180 WHAM
1240 WGVA
1280 WHTK
1310 WRSB
1370 WXXI
1400 WYSL
1420 WACK
1460 WHIC
1490 WBTA
1550 WCGR
1590 WASB
88.1 WFRW
88.5 WRUR
88.9 WCIY
89.1 WBSU
89.3 WGSU
89.7 WITR
89.7 WEOS
90.1 WGMC
90.5 WBER
90.7 WGCC
91.5 WXXI
92.5 WBEE
93.3 WFKL
93.7 WCOF
93.9 WDNY
94.1 WZNE
95.1 WFXF
96.5 WCMF
97.9 WPXY
98.9 WBZA
99.7 WZXV
100.5 WDVI
101.3 WRMM
101.7 WFLK
102.1 WBJA
102.3 WVOR
102.7 WRCI
103.5 WUUF
103.9 WDKX
104.7 WIRQ
104.9 WKUV
105.9 WJZR
106.7 WKGS
107.3 WNVE

Anyone know someone at Entercom who might know what they are expecting? I would think they would be "in the know."

 

[JustPastBuffalo]

Anyone know someone at Entercom who might know what they are expecting? I would think they would be "in the know."

I suppose we could email Jack Donlevie, Entercom's Executive VP and General Counsel (Semper Fi) but I'd doubt he'd say anything. By the way, WYSL made it onto the list twice, at 1040 and 1400. That's either a tribute to Bob's station in Avon or a trip down memory lane for WYSL alumni.

 

[anderson]

last I knew, 1400 was still WDNY in Dansville. All those radio stations, and it's still a miracle to find a broadcasting job!

 

[Kent]

I've been in touch with Mr. Fybush, and this is the list he's using:
Anyone know someone at Entercom who might know what they are expecting? I would think they would be "in the know."

Well, the list is pretty close, possibly exact. The application was filed today. If you search the FCC's database under WCMF-FM, you can view it.

 

[SirRoxalot]

For Insomniacs Only...

If you'd like to see the application, I'll save you the search if you click here. Check out the "request for waiver" section near the bottom.

Entercom sure is trying to hang onto 5 FMs, but it seems like a stretch to include WDNY/Dansville and WGVA/Geneva in the Rochester market. I'm sure there will be lawyers involved in those discussions.

 

[Radknowski]

Re: For Insomniacs Only...

If you'd like to see the application, I'll save you the search if you click here. Check out the "request for waiver" section near the bottom. Entercom sure is trying to hang onto 5 FMs, but it seems like a stretch to include WDNY/Dansville and WGVA/Geneva in the Rochester market. I'm sure there will be lawyers involved in those discussions.

Page 2, Paragraph 1 of Exhibit 15 is particularly interesting as it notes the divestiture of "two or more" of the stations. It likely means keeping all the "B's" and selling the "A's." I agree that Entercom is attempting to stretch the parameters by claiming Rochester to be a Tier 1 market. Danville? Geneva? Hell, if allowed to claim the Niagara Peninsula (Ontario), Buffalo-Niagara Falls would be a Top 10 market! Yeah, and if Aunt Sophie had... well, you know who'd be my uncle.[/Mike]

 

[SirRoxalot]

Entercom say "Gimme Five"

You guys in Rah-cha-cha must really dig listening to WCOV in Clyde and WCGR in Canandaigua. I'll bet they boom right in on your walkman as you cruise through downtown buildings.

Yeah, Entercom's in a real Rochester dogfight with the likes of WDNY, WGVA, WGSU, and WGCC...

 

[tophour]

The DOJ has signed off on the sale, but Entercom has to get rid of three stations, and the winners are:

Fickle, Zone and Warm.