Interesting Article on Cumulus' New CEO and Operational Changes

[TheBigA]

There was also a company in the northwest that owns stations in Redding & Chico. Most of it was between 2008 and 2010.

The company I was thinking of is Mapleton. Seems to me they went through some reorg a few years ago.

 

[DrAkbar]

Chapter 11 gives a company a fresh start, without a lot of baggage from the past. As far as radio goes, no listener or advertiser cares about whether a station is in bankruptcy or has just emerged. Any lender (xmttr manufacturers and suppliers) will take a different view...especially if their haircut turns out to be buzz cut!

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

http://www.kabc.com/station-information/

Cumulus has a New Slogan for KABC and its an attempt to attract listeners

"790 KABC" News/Talk evolved. Its supposed to be a variation of KGO-AM's slogan during their hype to Include Armstrong and Getty to the lineup "Next Generation KGO" but thats going to fall on deaf ears anyway.

 

[TheBigA]

I was reading they have a CP to move their antenna and increase power to 6600 watts. That can't hurt.

The current pattern isn't a good match for their programming.

 

[davideduardo]

I was reading they have a CP to move their antenna and increase power to 6600 watts. That can't hurt.

The current pattern isn't a good match for their programming.

The move is to a location with slightly worse conductivity, and they will be a bit more directional, so overall coverage will be reduced.

 

[TheBigA]

The move is to a location with slightly worse conductivity, and they will be a bit more directional, so overall coverage will be reduced.

You've said before that the current coverage is mainly over an area where the population is more ethnic than it was 40 years ago. Will that improve?

 

[Gregg.]

Just a reminder of how well that 5000 watt signal served it in the past... In the 1970s, KABC was easily the top station in LA, so popular that ABC syndicated four of KABC's hosts (Dr. Toni Grant, Michael Jackson, Ira Fistel and Ray Braem) when it started the Talk Radio Network, carried on WABC New York and other affiliates around the country. KABC had so many listeners, it was the only LA station to make the list of the top 10 radio stations across the country.

Of course, LA's population wasn't spread out so far in those days and electronic noise on the AM band wasn't as bad. But still, it's hard to imagine how that 5000 watt signal captured so many listeners.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Now Cumulus is going to do a reverse Stock Split

http://mobile.****************/cgi-bin/rolmobi.exe/dnheadline_id=n33278

Paperwork is sent to the SEC.

 

[davideduardo]

You've said before that the current coverage is mainly over an area where the population is more ethnic than it was 40 years ago. Will that improve?

Nope. It is still in the same general area as the old site, and not going to cover any areas that are less ethnic than before. The CP at 6.6 kw daytime covers just a tiny bit less than the old 5 kw license. To the East, there is no difference, and there is less towards the San Fernando Valley. At night, the new rules reduce coverage to the east a bit more.

But they get $100 million for the land, which is about 10 to 12 times what the station is worth.

 

[davideduardo]

Of course, LA's population wasn't spread out so far in those days and electronic noise on the AM band wasn't as bad. But still, it's hard to imagine how that 5000 watt signal captured so many listeners.

And remember that in that 60's to 70's era, KLAC, KFWB and KHJ were also major players all with 5 kw.

The difference was what you mention, as well as the increase in ethnic population in the areas where those stations have their best signal.

 

[TheBigA]

Nope. It is still in the same general area as the old site, and not going to cover any areas that are less ethnic than before.

So if signal was responsible for their ratings (not saying it is), they will see no improvement. Just more money to pay down debt.

Losing erp at night shouldn't matter either.

Wonder if there's oil on that land. There is across the street.