Is Flinn buying his radio stations on ebay? What a growing collection...

[7seconddelay]

That 'empire' sure seems like an eclectic bunch of stations. It would be interesting to see what the balance sheet looks like, considering both acquisition and operation costs and today's economy. I'm guessing there might be some tax advantages carried over from his other ventures that justify his radio hobby. Take a look at their web page sometime and note the growing roster of properties and their varied locations--perhaps he is sneaking up on Clear Channel like Wal-Mart did its competitors and will one day surprise us all (or not). Perhaps their slogan should be, "A radio station for every (single) listener."

 

[Zeke_Terry]

WOW!!

We've gone this long without an "@ Flinn" thread - must be some kind of a record.

But to answer at least in a partial manner your question. As far as I know, all the stations he has - except the one's here in Memphis - are LMA'D to others. So while he may actually 'own' the license fo the station, someone else is running them.

Also many more construction permits and licenses are bought up by him - the groundwork laid for a station, and then resold afterwards.

There's a map in one of the offices here on Mt. Moriah that has a push pin in each location of the US that he has a station. The reason is so that when we get mail from a station somewhere else, we can glance over and see if Flinn actually does have a station there.

An for your quote at the end -- I hope he doesn't see it, 'cause he'll use it.

 

[Tynosaur]

Following this business over the years reminds me of an owner of a station in Jackson, MS, back in the '60s - I'll leave out names here. The best thing I ever heard was the owner's secretary keying the mic one day and saying, "Dr.___, please call the station. Dr.____, you have an important call. Please call the station." Either she was leaning over the jock's shoulder or she knew something about working a board because she DID roll down the music pot while she spoke, then rolled it back up! My hand to God!

 

[7seconddelay]

Actually, I am not so sure he would want to use that slogan in the context I had in mind. I was thinking of a ratio of 1 to 1...!

That Mt. Moriah location has some memories though--I got my first radio job working there for Sam Phillips years ago when he owned the place (and nearly all the surrounding undeveloped land up and down Mt. Moriah back when that area was "happening."). That building seemed pretty spacious at the time, since it supported 2 stations and the separate administrative and sales staffs for each (and not a computer in the building). It must be quite a squeeze to operate a bunch of stations from there now, even considering the advantages of automation.

If someone had kept a "guest register" for that place over the years, seeing a list of the talent that came through those doors would blow your mind.

 

[7seconddelay]

Following this business over the years reminds me of an owner of a station in Jackson, MS, back in the '60s - I'll leave out names here. The best thing I ever heard was the owner's secretary keying the mic one day and saying, "Dr.___, please call the station. Dr.____, you have an important call. Please call the station." Either she was leaning over the jock's shoulder or she knew something about working a board because she DID roll down the music pot while she spoke, then rolled it back up! My hand to God!

I'm surprised they didn't also use the station to remind the kids it was time for dinner. Nothing like using your radio station for a personal intercom, or your own family jukebox.