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FISHER'S ON THE BLOCK

Mario strikes again.
Another Wall Street story of someone who seizes control of an otherwise decent company and plunders it for his own personal ego and gain.
 
By the time a company makes an announcement like this they've already been quietly talking to prospective buyers. Bonneville has been selling stations, not buying.
 
One of the interesting side-bars on this situation is that Fisher can't sell the TV and radio to a single buyer. Unless there is a compelling 'local ownership' argument with the FCC (would be a first) the radio has to be spun independently.

Here's where it gets interesting. There are several groups that could absorb the stations and still be under/at the limit. But no one is going to buy at the multiple that the investors will take - and for that matter - neither will anyone else. So, if you're Collen Brown, who do you sell the radio stations to...?

At the end of the day this may simply be a trial balloon to placate board members.
 
I know the radio stations might be sold separately, but as far as the TV stations, I think the smaller market TV stations (Yakima, Idaho Falls, Eugene, etc...) might end up separated as well, leaving the larger markets (Seattle, Portland, Boise) to a larger buyer. I could also see with that, if a buyer was more aligned with ABC affiliates, Boise might end up with a network-switch situation.
 
swhyde1980 said:
I know the radio stations might be sold separately, but as far as the TV stations, I think the smaller market TV stations (Yakima, Idaho Falls, Eugene, etc...) might end up separated as well, leaving the larger markets (Seattle, Portland, Boise) to a larger buyer. I could also see with that, if a buyer was more aligned with ABC affiliates, Boise might end up with a network-switch situation.

I had a dream Cumulus bought KOMO/KVI/KPLZ the other night. Woke up in a cold sweat......
 
I predict any new buyer will only be interested in Seattle and Portland, and maybe Boise. The smaller markets are most likely going be to spun-off, as will radio, with possible exception of KOMO-AM/FM, for marketing purposes.
 
Bongwater said:
swhyde1980 said:
I know the radio stations might be sold separately, but as far as the TV stations, I think the smaller market TV stations (Yakima, Idaho Falls, Eugene, etc...) might end up separated as well, leaving the larger markets (Seattle, Portland, Boise) to a larger buyer. I could also see with that, if a buyer was more aligned with ABC affiliates, Boise might end up with a network-switch situation.

I had a dream Cumulus bought KOMO/KVI/KPLZ the other night. Woke up in a cold sweat......
I think Cumulus would leave KOMO as is, look at what they've done in Atlanta. Of course there would be some changes should they not wind up with the TV station, but I don't think that would make or break them. Not sure how they would handle KVI, and considdering how well KPLZ does, I think they're safe. However, the Cumulus Hot ACs have gotten better over the last several months. I would love to see KPLZ get an immaging overhall and fix the syndication on the John Tesh Radio Show.
 
bobdavcav said:
I would love to see KPLZ get an immaging overhall and fix the syndication on the John Tesh Radio Show.

Can you be more specific on what are the problems with those two items?
 
I'm not sure about the immaging, it just sounds a little off. I honestly couldn't imagine KPLZ with different immaging until it happened, and they are a good station, but with the more upbeat music on Hot AC now, seems as if the immaging could use an overhall, I don't think they've done a major immaging overhall in years. As for the John Tesh issue, I haven't payed too much attention since they changed it up in August, but before that, they would start the show 5-10 minutes late, then if you knew the first story, you'd have to go to one of the other stations carrying the show at the same time to hear it. Maybe they've fixed this now, but I'm not sure since they don't air the promo that starts at the top of the hour anymore. I have a feeling they cut out the last story of the hour, but I have not been listening very much at night lately.
 
spellcheck here

I m a g i n g
 
To Bob's defense, he's likely using some software for the sight impaired to write his posts so I don't think those typos are necessarily intentional.
 
Thanks Mike, have you gone back and read a number of my earlier posts on this board? How did you know that? It's one of those words I spell wrong a lot, just like for years I used to put an extra P in copy.
 
I did recall you mentioning that somewhere before. The thing is with message boards (or any non-verbal communication FTM) you're judged on proper spelling & grammar...and derided if you aren't perfect.
 
FYI...for those wondering about Fisher's 2012/Q4 conference call today, they started by saying any discussion about the possible sale of company will not be addressed in any way during the call today.
 
LITTLEBOYBLUE said:
FYI...for those wondering about Fisher's 2012/Q4 conference call today, they started by saying any discussion about the possible sale of company will not be addressed in any way during the call today.

So like for the past 5 years or so, it's not a definite....just an idea.

I still think CBS would love to buy Fisher out. I can still forsee an affiliate swap iin the future for the Seattle area with this scenario. KOMO and KATU going to CBS, and KIRO and KOIN going to ABC. And CBS could have control over all the affilates in the northwest, unless they separately sell Yakima, Tri-Cities, and Eugene.
 
I'm not that optimistic about TV network affiliate changes in Seattle after the KIRO/KSTW mess in the '90s.

People here seem to like things where they are......
 
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