FM TALK/NEWS: WOULD IT WORK? THOUGHTS...

[michael hagerty]

You're right. That's three problems, not two..

By the way, your 5 FMs (Jack, The Wave, AMP, K-Earth and KROQ) all have as good or better signals than KSWD. So there's no upside in swapping one of them.

And as far as Stern's intention: Nothing is certain in radio until there's a signed contract. Assuming CBS did get one, the terms of Howard's existing contract with XM/Sirius might prohibit you from promoting his arrival until he's off the satellite.

CBS didn't have that provision when he left and his final months were one big Sirius promo. If I were them, I'd have made sur he couldn't do the same thing to Sirius when he leaves.

Another question would be, what if he does go back to CBS, what stations across the country would they put him on? Do you re-launch a national hot talk format once again? Are companies allowed to swap AM stations with FM stations? If so, I was saying CBS could give Bonneville 980, and CBS could get 100.3.

No single station could afford Stern. It would have to be a nationwide syndication deal like before.

You can swap AM for FM as long as there's a willing partner and you don't exceed the limit of 8 stations...no more than 5 FM, no more than 3 AM.

You're already at 5, so that's out...and why would Bonneville trade a good signal FM for a weak AM if you could do the deal?

 

[radiojomo]

but for the time being have Mancow or some other syndicated talent fill in the slot now?

Mancow? You call yourself an FM Talk fanatic and that's the best you could think of?

 

[musicfan101]

You're right. That's three problems, not two..

By the way, your 5 FMs (Jack, The Wave, AMP, K-Earth and KROQ) all have as good or better signals than KSWD. So there's no upside in swapping one of them.

And as far as Stern's intention: Nothing is certain in radio until there's a signed contract. Assuming CBS did get one, the terms of Howard's existing contract with XM/Sirius might prohibit you from promoting his arrival until he's off the satellite.

CBS didn't have that provision when he left and his final months were one big Sirius promo. If I were them, I'd have made sur he couldn't do the same thing to Sirius when he leaves.

Another question would be, what if he does go back to CBS, what stations across the country would they put him on? Do you re-launch a national hot talk format once again? Are companies allowed to swap AM stations with FM stations? If so, I was saying CBS could give Bonneville 980, and CBS could get 100.3.

No single station could afford Stern. It would have to be a nationwide syndication deal like before.

You can swap AM for FM as long as there's a willing partner and you don't exceed the limit of 8 stations...no more than 5 FM, no more than 3 AM.

You're already at 5, so that's out...and why would Bonneville trade a good signal FM for a weak AM if you could do the deal?

I honestly had no idea about the 5 FM's and 3 AM's. What I meant was, would CBS (if they got him) launch a series of talk stations nationwide a la Free FM? Or, would they just put him on a bunch of Alternative/Classic Rock stations?

I was thinking since Bonneville already owns WTOP, maybe they would want to operate 980 as a news format but, since that wouldn't be allowed there would be no sense.

@radiojomo: hahaha well it's either that or the "Saul Levine Show with Roy Laughlin"

 

[michael hagerty]

You're right. That's three problems, not two..

By the way, your 5 FMs (Jack, The Wave, AMP, K-Earth and KROQ) all have as good or better signals than KSWD. So there's no upside in swapping one of them.

And as far as Stern's intention: Nothing is certain in radio until there's a signed contract. Assuming CBS did get one, the terms of Howard's existing contract with XM/Sirius might prohibit you from promoting his arrival until he's off the satellite.

CBS didn't have that provision when he left and his final months were one big Sirius promo. If I were them, I'd have made sur he couldn't do the same thing to Sirius when he leaves.

Another question would be, what if he does go back to CBS, what stations across the country would they put him on? Do you re-launch a national hot talk format once again? Are companies allowed to swap AM stations with FM stations? If so, I was saying CBS could give Bonneville 980, and CBS could get 100.3.

No single station could afford Stern. It would have to be a nationwide syndication deal like before.

You can swap AM for FM as long as there's a willing partner and you don't exceed the limit of 8 stations...no more than 5 FM, no more than 3 AM.

You're already at 5, so that's out...and why would Bonneville trade a good signal FM for a weak AM if you could do the deal?

I honestly had no idea about the 5 FM's and 3 AM's. What I meant was, would CBS (if they got him) launch a series of talk stations nationwide a la Free FM? Or, would they just put him on a bunch of Alternative/Classic Rock stations?

I was thinking since Bonneville already owns WTOP, maybe they would want to operate 980 as a news format but, since that wouldn't be allowed there would be no sense.

Musicfan: CBS got so badly burned by Free FM I doubt they'd flip stations all over the country. But KLSX, with Stern, was a success....and remember, in this scenario, you get to make the call...

They'd probably syndicate Howard and Leykis to whoever wanted them and would pay big regardless of format to generate the cash.

As for KFWB:

Bonneville had to add an FM simulcast to make WTOP viable.

And you don't want to give the competition a loaded gun. Suppose you could do the deal and Bonneville said yes. Are you going to go ahead with it and then let them drain audience from your newly successful KNX?

The entire point of flipping KFWB was to get out of KNX's way. If you want to sell KFWB, you need to find an operator who won't compete...possibly a non-English format. But at that point, there's probably not a lot of cash in the deal...and if you can nudge KFWB back up to the mid 1's without spending a lot to do it, your profits (especially as part of a combo ad buy with KNX) would probably be more attractive than the proceeds of a sale...a continuous and possibly sustainable revenue stream as opposed to a one-shot infusion of cash.

Remember, Musicfan: Your job here is to protect the profits and long-term viability of CBS, Los Angeles and the employees and their families who depend on it.