Merlin shopping itself?

[Rkworld]

They're not going to sell 92.3 to acquire 101.9. That makes no sense. If they wanted to only own 3 FMs, with one of them running a sports format, they'd have moved WFAN to 92.3. It's obvious they wanted that 4th FM. Now they have to unload either an AM or their 2nd TV channel. Of the 3 AMs, based on stick value alone, the weakest is 1010.

But is "stick value" measured on its own the best arbiter? If WINS beats WCBS even with an inferior stick, doesn't that suggest that WCBS might be the service to go? Or are the listener demographics for WCBS superior?

Shoot, I was surprised when CBS and Group W merged...and both all-news stations survived...but they have...

Richard in Allentown

We're not talking about which service goes. We're talking about which signal gets sold off.

They can keep the WINS content and put it on 660 (or even on 880) if they want.

Or, they keep 660 and add full-time CBS Sports Radio programming.

 

[aindik]

They're not going to sell 92.3 to acquire 101.9. That makes no sense. If they wanted to only own 3 FMs, with one of them running a sports format, they'd have moved WFAN to 92.3. It's obvious they wanted that 4th FM. Now they have to unload either an AM or their 2nd TV channel. Of the 3 AMs, based on stick value alone, the weakest is 1010.

But is "stick value" measured on its own the best arbiter? If WINS beats WCBS even with an inferior stick, doesn't that suggest that WCBS might be the service to go? Or are the listener demographics for WCBS superior?

Shoot, I was surprised when CBS and Group W merged...and both all-news stations survived...but they have...

Richard in Allentown

We're not talking about which service goes. We're talking about which signal gets sold off.

They can keep the WINS content and put it on 660 (or even on 880) if they want.

Or, they keep 660 and add full-time CBS Sports Radio programming.

They have to sell a station. If they are going to air sports on two stations, some other format they are currently running is going to disappear, unless the station they sell is the TV station (Channel 55).

 

[KC2LDY]

I think it'll be the TV staton, Channel 55, that goes. That's pretty much the pawn in this game. I don't think CBS will sell any of he AM stations. WINS may be peceived as the weakest signal in a technical sense. But WINS booms in in Manhattan and all the other boros, where WCBS has trouble. WCBS, meanwhile, covers the burbs well. I predict the CBS sports network will ultimately go on 660, even if it's phased in. And if CBS iis buying another FM, they're not looking to thin out their holdings on that band.

 

[cg41386]

That affects NYC & Chicago both of which got Alternative Rock formats back when there were no rock stations in those markets. I think 106.9 in Philly should go AAA or Spanish or Country

The Chicago station is more of a Hot AC format.

 

[cg41386]

Correct: http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/70747/cbs-aquires-101-9-wrxp-new-york-for-wfan/

Which means CBS will have to sell something in NYC...

Richard in Allentown

I think it is widely expected to be 1010 WINS, which is probably the least valuable (signal-wise) of all of CBS NY's facilities. 1010 WINS' news programming would have to move to 660 or an FM.

It isn't "widely expected" to be WINS... and it likely won't be WINS based on what I've been reading.

 

[cg41386]

They're not going to sell 92.3 to acquire 101.9. That makes no sense. If they wanted to only own 3 FMs, with one of them running a sports format, they'd have moved WFAN to 92.3. It's obvious they wanted that 4th FM. Now they have to unload either an AM or their 2nd TV channel. Of the 3 AMs, based on stick value alone, the weakest is 1010.

But is "stick value" measured on its own the best arbiter? If WINS beats WCBS even with an inferior stick, doesn't that suggest that WCBS might be the service to go? Or are the listener demographics for WCBS superior?

Shoot, I was surprised when CBS and Group W merged...and both all-news stations survived...but they have...

Richard in Allentown

We're not talking about which service goes. We're talking about which signal gets sold off.

They can keep the WINS content and put it on 660 (or even on 880) if they want.

Or, they keep 660 and add full-time CBS Sports Radio programming.

Isn't this what they're already planning on doing/rumored to be doing? I don't see them spinning off 1010 or 880, but didn't they just acquire Channel 55?

 

[pab]

CBS isn't going to sell anything. It's an LMA, not an outright sale.

So, technically, Merlin was correct when they said they weren't going to sell any stations.

 

[carolinaradio]

According to what someone said on the NYC board, a LMA counts towards ownership counts. I did not think that was the case.

And, yes, the most discussed scenerio from what I have read is 1010 WINS being sold, or ch. 55 in LI.

 

[MoldaMania182]

CBS isn't going to sell anything. It's an LMA, not an outright sale.

CBS will have to divest something. Period. The LMA is temporary, probably as they figure things out and wait for transfer approval. Make no mistake they are PURCHASING the station.

No way will they give up a TV station with 'must carry'. It's worth way more than an AM station and immensely more future proof, not to mention they just bought it. It will either be WINS or WFAN depending on how they view it. CBS/FAN have better signals and co-share facilities and sites. However, if it becomes CBS Sports Network which Cumulus is distributing, it would be easier for them to own it and nothing else needs to change. WINS is legendary and has a very valuable brand and product. But they could still just sell it off and try to move it elsewhere or put it in a trust like they did in LA.

 

[aindik]

New York Radio Message Board owner Allan Sniffen reports that CBS will retain the WLNY "Channel 10/55" branding, programming rights, intellectual property, cable carriage deals, etc., but will sell the right to broadcast the channel over the air.

 

[WCAUTVNBC10]

Couldn't they simply sell FAN to Cumulus since it's gonna be a full time CBS sports station (which Cumulus has a partial stake in)?

 

[aindik]

Couldn't they simply sell FAN to Cumulus since it's gonna be a full time CBS sports station (which Cumulus has a partial stake in)?

That's apparently not the plan for 66 at least initially. They're not willing to give up the extra reach for local sports, so they're intending to simulcast at least initially.