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Radio One Acquires Cox Houston

It's surprising to me that they give a hint on the direction KROI might be going. Of course it is early and that might change.

I think SBS is a reasonable guess, as they have the financial resources to make a big purchase. Also, think about Bustos. He has a number of FMs in California, Arizona, and the PNW (along with 900 AM here which is leased out).

I also, wouldn't be surprised if the buyer was an operator of a "south asia" format.
 
BamaTX said:
The George Soros backed Latino Media Network? Technically speaking, they can still be considered "new entrants" on account that they haven't taken over KLAT. It would make sense for them if they want to establish themselves in the market and become a successful propaganda mouthpiece for the DNC.
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The closing on KLAT took place over a month ago. LMN is running it with programming subcontracted to Univision.

LMN has not bought any further stations, and, while the actors are all on the stage, they have no script as of yet.
 
Ryan Williams said:
It's surprising to me that they give a hint on the direction KROI might be going. Of course it is early and that might change.

I think SBS is a reasonable guess, as they have the financial resources to make a big purchase. Also, think about Bustos. He has a number of FMs in California, Arizona, and the PNW (along with 900 AM here which is leased out).
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Bustos' specialty is smaller markets where there is no major competitor. Houston is the exact opposite. And KROI is likely worth about what all his other stations combined are worth.
 
Mrtejano said:
SBS had a tv station here in Houston, so they’re not new in Houston. The article said someone new to Houston.
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I think the reference is to radio, though. They are the most financially able to buy right now.
 
Ryan Williams said:
It's surprising to me that they give a hint on the direction KROI might be going. Of course it is early and that might change.
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Assuming Urban One gets everything worked out with the minority buyer it mentions, I'm guessing KROI won’t be going to an African American buyer. Hispanic would seem most likely, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it go to an Asian buyer either.

That would also seem to rule out 97.1 going to Cumulus or Audacy unless another bigger swap is in the works and it gets thrown in to make the deal even.
 
Kent said:
Assuming Urban One gets everything worked out with the minority buyer it mentions, I'm guessing KROI won’t be going to an African American buyer. Hispanic would seem most likely, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it go to an Asian buyer either.
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If 92.1 winds up with a Hispanic targeted format, might we suggest they don’t call it La Mera Mera.🤣

Houston already has four South Asian formats on FM translators (with good signals over the target audience) plus two Vietnamese language stations on AM. Have no idea who a “new“ entrant in those genres might be…?

BTW it looks like RO will let go of the KROI call. Had wondered if they would exclude it from the sale, as it stood for K Radio One Incorporated. Eventual new owner could always change it. (Recall that for the past two sales of 91.7 the KTRU and KUHA calls were excluded, for example.)
 
Mediafrog+ said:
Houston already has four South Asian formats on FM translators (with good signals over the target audience) plus two Vietnamese language stations on AM. Have no idea who a “new“ entrant in those genres might be…?
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I know there's been a buyer or a few buyers of stations around DFW for Asian formatted signals. Don’t know if said person (people) might be interested in Houston, but I could see why it might be a good fit.

Don't know how many immigrants from India live around Houston, but seems like 880 tried Indian-focused programming at one time. Someone spent north of $3 million to get a DFW rimshot in the last auction and run that type of format. If that person is interested in Houston and wants to give it a go, 92.1 and 97.1 are probably his only chances.
 
All of this assumes the FCC will approve the transactions. People also assumed the SG - Tegna deal would be approved. I didn’t.
 
stan said:
All of this assumes the FCC will approve the transactions. People also assumed the SG - Tegna deal would be approved. I didn’t.
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There is no reason for this to not get routine approval. It meets all the ownership limits and restrictions, is a transfer of stations to a partially Black owned and fully Black managed company with, per press release, a secondary sale to another minority broadcaster.
 
It's been a while since I saw the market revenue for Houston but I recall when I was in the market, KODA, Sunny 99, was always #1, had the right demos and was billing about $24 million. Just looking at $27.5 million for 93-Q, The Eagle and Country Legends 97-1 seems really low given the success of The Eagle and the neck and neck race between 93-Q and The Bull.

What I thought was 'telling' given values today is KROI was purchased in September 2004 for 72.5 million.
 
The price is significantly lower than I would've guessed. My guess would've been $35 million to $40 million. 93-Q and The Eagle are two prized brands locally. Apollo clearly wanted to exit the market, and yes, it would not surprise me if other radio divestitures are forthcoming this year or next year.
 
Mediafrog+ said:
If 92.1 winds up with a Hispanic targeted format, might we suggest they don’t call it La Mera Mera.🤣

Houston already has four South Asian formats on FM translators (with good signals over the target audience) plus two Vietnamese language stations on AM. Have no idea who a “new“ entrant in those genres might be…?

BTW it looks like RO will let go of the KROI call. Had wondered if they would exclude it from the sale, as it stood for K Radio One Incorporated. Eventual new owner could always change it. (Recall that for the past two sales of 91.7 the KTRU and KUHA calls were excluded, for example.)
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Since the company is now known as Urban One, it may not make a difference to them.
 
HTX said:
Imagine if they got their hands on it. I'm sure it would reach Lufkin! :p
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I realize you jest, HTX, but surprisingly enough both KUZN Centerville and KTYR Trinity operate within their licensed parameters. Go figure, right?
 
Kent said:
Assuming Urban One gets everything worked out with the minority buyer it mentions, I'm guessing KROI won’t be going to an African American buyer. Hispanic would seem most likely, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it go to an Asian buyer either.

That would also seem to rule out 97.1 going to Cumulus or Audacy unless another bigger swap is in the works and it gets thrown in to make the deal even.
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I can kind of see 92.1 being bought by a South Asian buyer, which would make it the first full-powered South Asian FM in Houston.

As for 97.1, I can definitely see EMF buying it and turning it into an Air1 simulcast - 103.7 for covering the southern areas of Houston, and 97.1 for covering the northern areas of Houston, like what The Eagle does basically. (I don’t see EMF bringing K-Love to Houston because of how established and dominant KSBJ is.)
 
gimmetheoldies said:
I can kind of see 92.1 being bought by a South Asian buyer, which would make it the first full-powered South Asian FM in Houston.

As for 97.1, I can definitely see EMF buying it and turning it into an Air1 simulcast - 103.7 for covering the southern areas of Houston, and 97.1 for covering the northern areas of Houston, like what The Eagle does basically. (I don’t see EMF bringing K-Love to Houston because of how established and dominant KSBJ is.)
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What about KSBJ buying it to restore the northern coverage they lost due to the tower move?
EMF doesn't seem to quite have the respect it used to for established CCM markets, see Atlanta
 
gr8oldies said:
What about KSBJ buying it to restore the northern coverage they lost due to the tower move?
EMF doesn't seem to quite have the respect it used to for established CCM markets, see Atlanta
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I haven’t kept up much with KSBJ. Could happen
 
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