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fisher

I think we're too close to the radio side of it. pretty clear the only value radio properties have to Sinclair is if it bolsters their TV agenda. A Hot AC then becomes a question of "Is it better serving our TV audience with an FM signal news product or is it worth enough $$ that we can use the capital to buy TV somehwere else". That's a totally different mindset than if a radio owner (e.g. Emmis or Cumulus) came into town and evaluated a top-performing FM format.
 
Sinclair says it plans to keep the radio stations and they will operate "as is" since they are so closely integrated with the TV station and won't do anything.

That's like Clay Bennett saying that he intended to keep the Sonics in Seattle.
 
CorporateSuit said:
Sinclair says it plans to keep the radio stations and they will operate "as is" since they are so closely integrated with the TV station and won't do anything.

That's like Clay Bennett saying that he intended to keep the Sonics in Seattle.
Click to expand...

Great analogy.

KOMO-AM makes sense. KOMO-FM replacing KPLZ doesn't, but I wouldn't count anything out.

More interesting to me is how KOMO-TV may change. Back in the 70's, it was broken down like this: KIRO was conservative, KING was liberal, and KOMO was somewhere in the middle. Of course things have evolved over the decades and everyone is kind of moderate these days. If Sinclair has any business sense, they will not promote a conservative lean on KOMO.
 
searadiofreak said:
KOMO-AM makes sense. KOMO-FM replacing KPLZ doesn't, but I wouldn't count anything out.
Click to expand...

If the Sinclair people who did the DD on Fisher's books were only half awake, they should be able to figure out what not to do with Star.
 
I would personally love a re-image for Star. My biggest complaint about them other than what seems to be happening all over the industry is the number of cold transitions. If it weren't for the morning show and the good music sellections, I don't think I would listen as much as I do.
 
Pretty safe to say no one really knows what will happen when Sinclair buys Fisher. It is fair to assume they will trim all operations since they need a return on their investment. They appear, from all indications, to be a fairly low budget operator that creates high margins. Not atypical in today's broadcast environment.

As for radio, I can't see why they would keep it, unless it supports the TV agenda. I wonder if they keep KOMO and KVI since they are integrated into the TV news operation sharing reporters and talent. KPLZ seems the odd station out and would have high value moving to any radio cluster in Seattle. The station is number one in women, top three in adults and a top to revenue generating machine with the heritage currently number one ranked morning show in adults. I would guess Sinclair could sell it for a nice profit, the other two stations certainly support TV and would not generate much value in a sale as AM sticks tied to the KOMO news operation.

As for going from one song to another, that is due to PPM. Every station does that anywhere in the country in PPM markets. Since signals are encoded there is no longer a need to put imaging inbetween each song to remind/annoy listeners of what station they are listening to. Turns out just great music, back to back, mixed with personality wins. I was in Dallas last week and KISS there played six songs back to back before talking. I actually find that refreshing. I do think stations that have no personality are missing the PPM point though. Look who wins in every market in music radio. (KISW, KPLZ, KZOK currently here) Local personalities mixed with long sets of uninterupted music.
 
Hmm, I don't think I have ever heard them play 6 songs back to back. It is not uncommon for a CC station to put an ID only between every other song, but I usually hear the announcer or the ID on every song or at least every other song. In that case though, I guess the only thing that is worth complaining about 92.5 is their audio processing then. Hopefully if they sell KPLZ the new owner won't change the processing, I think it's the best in the market.
 
If Sinclair sold off the radio stations, I could possibly see KOMO radio still being sold off, but have some kind of joint agreement with KOMO-TV, and keep them in the building. (I don't know what that would be called...a JMA, JSA, JOA, or what?) They are so integrated, that it would be a disaster if they were taken apart from each other.

As for the TV side, I think with KOMO-TV being an Master Control operations hub, I think this may result in a few more stations joining that hub. The operations of Sinclair's smaller markets on this side of the Rockies may end up here in the Seattle area.
 
One important item has not changed with this transaction. KOMO-TV needs a strong female anchor. Fisher is probably grateful that they don't have to make this decision. Now Sinclair does. Of course, any choice will be competing against someone who is no longer with us. Not a great position to be in. I hope they are careful in this decision.
 
The question I am most interested in is what will they do with KUNS. It's not a money maker, and it's Spanish, which they have no experience with. The Univision station has always been an issue with the Fischer board anyway. I guess with their conservative slant, it might be useful to the Republican party with their new "Reach Out" agenda, but I forsee losing what little local viewership they have if they start putting on a lot of rhetoric.
As for their radio stations. The market is heating up! And if they paid the low amount that they paid, pehaps the stations could be put up for sale at a price that is gauranteed to move them. It would deffinately help them with their cash flow as they do start up.
 
Peggy's last day is Friday..Anyone know the new girl/woman? Local/import? No mention of her name on the 11 am newscast.
 
AM STATION APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSFER OF CONTROL ACCEPTED FOR FILING
-------------------------------------------------------------------
WA BTC-20130425AEA KOMO 21647 FISHER BROADCASTING - SEATTLE RADIO, L.L.C. Voluntary Transfer of Control
E 1000 KHZ SEATTLE, WA From: SHAREHOLDERS OF FISHER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
To: SINCLAIR TELEVISION GROUP, INC.
Form 315
WA BTC-20130425AEC KVI 35853 FISHER BROADCASTING - SEATTLE RADIO, L.L.C. Voluntary Transfer of Control
E 570 KHZ SEATTLE, WA From: SHAREHOLDERS OF FISHER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
To: SINCLAIR TELEVISION GROUP, INC.
Form 315
More here>
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2013/db0501/DOC-320601A2.txt
 
B.E. ... I'm VERY Interested in what "accepted for filing" status means.
This is because, as a Fisher Shareholder, I have NEVER yet been asked if I am in favor of such a transfer...so I am hoping this is some kind of formality with the FCC and not an actual filing?
 
FCC initially thinks all the right boxes have been checked, attachements attached, fees paid, etc..
Any objections that within the scope of FCC regulations can be filed with the FCC.
 
Well, it means that application has been made for the transfer. Maybe you missed the memo?
 
Interesting.

My point is that the applications (about 30 of them) reference "FISHER SHAREHOLDERS" want the transfer.
yet
The VOTE has not been held, and no Shareholder meeting has taken place.

And there is a pending lawsuit out there about all this.
 
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