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Has Clear Channel Bought WSJS?

C

CCX

Guest
Something is up at WSJS. Heard that there's an "Interim Manager" in place. Not sure if Tom Hamilton is still there or not. Clear Channel folks are saying that something is up. WSJS has been for sale for some time. This will give CC the News/Talk format they need for their National Cluster.
 
That's VERY unlikely, because Clear Channel had to unload WSJS/WSML to put together their core of FM stations. The last station they added was 100.3 in its country incarnation. To buy that one, they sold the last AM they owned in the market...WMFR...to Infinity.

I doubt if they could take all of them now under the most recent relaxation of the requirements.

Matt Smith
WGSR-TV
Reidsville, NC
 
I hate to say this...but wasnt that acqusistion almost 10 years ago? Times change...CC could be just as much as a contender as any other company...
 
Something is happening, but so far no announcement. Hamilton is on vacation (traveling in Alaska with JR and a group of listeners). I suspect someone has been designated in charge in his absence. There were apparently some rumblings in the building yesterday.

I wouldn't suggest CC is unlikely - since their revenue is not what it was when the cluster was split up. SJS billing is down, based on what I hear on the air. TQR and MAG are both down some as well. When the cluster was split, the had 43% of the market billing. The limit is 40%. Doesn't take much to get them there. Also, of course, it is impacted by other station's revenues. They spun WSJS in that deal because it was the only single station who's billing could get them under the number! They just didn't want WMFR and forced Infinity to take it.

The sale to Infinity was about six years ago - shortly after CC merged with AM/FM and picked up WMAG and 100.3.

I have also heard Entercom is a player. Word is the bidding was over on Monday. One might think it will NOT be a cash deal - but a station swap with someone who has stations in the markets CBS wants! Think about top 20 markets where CBS has a weak cluster (few stations) and CC also has some weakness. A swap would strengthen both companies. And since there would be no cash, the taxes wouldn't hurt CBS.

Oh, Big Radio!!!!
 
Well, today the speculation is it's Entercom. If they move WSJS from Winston-Salem, it would not bode well for the station. Cities tend to like their hometown station to be in the home town. Tom Hamilton is back from vacation, but maybe to start packing. With the huge CBS layoffs on Wednesday, one wonders if he still really has a job. It will be interesting to see who gets WSJS. Could be a dark horse that no one has thought about, but why would anyone want to pay the asking price for a mature AM station that's sliding downhill?
 
Hamilton may be packing, but not as part of the CBS layoffs. They wouldn't get rid of the GM of a station being sold. New owner would want to make sure things are held together during this period before the actual take over. Usually GMs get a bonus for sticking around during a sale and holding onto key people.
 
Why would CC again pick up WSJS, since they sold it off several years ago? After WFMX is in the market, will CC actually have room to own WSJS/WMFR? I don't think they will...
 
thebroker said:
Why would CC again pick up WSJS, since they sold it off several years ago? After WFMX is in the market, will CC actually have room to own WSJS/WMFR? I don't think they will...
Click to expand...

CC had to sell off WSJS to acquire other priority properites; it's not that they wanted to. And because WFMX has no in-market revenue, this acquisition doesn't count- on paper- as an additional station for CC GSO, so they're open to acquire more properties.
 
Anyone heard anything new on the SJS sale? It's when things get quiet that things start to happen!
 
XTalker said:
Anyone heard anything new on the SJS sale? It's when things get quiet that things start to happen!
Click to expand...

The rumor out and about now- from several different sources- is COX.
 
COX doesn't make much sense - unless WSJS is part of a bigger deal. No stations in the region. SJS is a profitable station - but its going to be hard to sustain without being part of a larger cluster.

My guess is it might be a multi-company deal with SJS spun off to someone who is already in the market.
 
Chances of COX is slim to NONE! How about Lincoln? Does anybody think Dick would be a player? What about Alan Shaw's group that owns Lynchburg = and has HQ in Clemmons?
 
God forbid it's Cumulus. Corporate control from Atlanta? No thanks. I get enough of the crap radio that comes out of that philosophy here in Michigan, I don't need it on trips back home, too.
 
I just don't see anyone without a presence in the market wanting to take it on. Operation is expensive - particularly with the business office and support staff working for only one station. (I know, WMFR - but it requires little work).
 
Entercom is a good guess! I still like the idea of Alan Shaw's company - Centennial Broadcasting. They have no stations in the market, but Alan lives in Clemmons. HQ is in Clemmons. Chief operations guy lives in K'ville and is former SJS GM. Would be a natural for them.
 
Centennial Broadcasting - Is that where Howard Nemenz is? If so, I would love to see that happen. Wonder if they would continue with Tom Hamilton as Sales Manager or GM? Right now, they can't keep any Sales People for more than 6 months. I think WSJS might have 2 or 3 people that stick, but Howard seems to run off everyone else. Whoever said it last, I agree, it's all about Management. I've heard that Howard is tough, but a great broadcaster who really knows the business and is fair to work for. Any thoughts, XTalker?
 
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