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Should Clear Channel buy KRBE?

R

rgradio

I keep hearing rumors that KRBE might be bought by CC since Cumulus is trying to clear out of Houston. Should this happen?
 
I,for one, hope they don't. I guess it's possible if they are willing to trade another station like KKRW and add some cash to sweeten the pot...but why? If Cumulus wants out of Houston, why would they accept a trade for another stick in Houston?

Regardless, I hope you are right that Cumulus is looking to unload KRBE. There just doesn't seem to be any effort put into the station anymore. Guess we were all spoiled by Susquehanna and see what the station is now like without their leadership. I would think that CBS would want that stick. CHR would stay on 104, and 95.7 could move the HD-3 to the main signal, giving the new CBS Sports Radio a full power FM stick in the market. It all comes down to price and whether your source is accurate regarding a potential move out of the market by Cumulus.
 
I think Clear Channel getting possession of KRBE would be a nail in the coffin on it's legacy. They will be moved out of their long time studios in Westchase and reduced to a little broadcast booth in the CC Houston stable on the West Loop. I hope it doesn't happen.
 
I think Cumulus in the long run will have to unload that off, and Clear Channel is likely the next owner.

The obstacle to that right now is the CC is at market cap; although I think as for the guy that asked about my suggestion to switch with KKRW, that is likely what might happen since CC is at cap. However I think as for Cumulus to get out of the city CC can unload one station (likely KKRW) to another owner that has never been to Houston. Then Cumulus can see this opportunity and then sell KRBE off to CC.
 
I hope not, they may make all their stations sound a like, like how they ruined radio in Austin.
 
If that happens 104 KRBE will be renamed to 104.1 Kiss-FM and would play the same playlist of KHFI. And Kidd Kraddick will be back on.

My question for this board is: Could Townsquare be interested in the Houston market?
 
Why is everyone thinking of dumping an FM to meet market caps? Why not dump an AM like KBME and move the format to KPRC? Selling off KPRC is another possibility unless KTRH gets sold to CBS.
 
CC had to divest KHMX and KLOL because the Bain/Lee investment groups also had interest in Cumulus and Univision. With 97.5 and 103.7 no longer under Cumulus, how does that change the interpretation of the market cap rule in this case?

Could CC unload a couple of its AMs and be allowed to buy KRBE?

CBS and Cox could also wind up with 104.1. Both have room for another FM. Were Cox to buy KRBE, the format would likely reamin unchanged. A sale to CBS would result in some format tweaks within the local cluster.

Were CBS to buy 790 and 950, they could kill off the local SportsTalk on 790 (eliminating a competitor for 610) and place the national network there.
 
CC's got massive debt. Not in acquisition mode.

And, why would anyone WISH for CC to buy a station? Mind blowing. I bet no one employed by KRBE does.
 
Wishing CC would buy KRBE--unbelievable. Cumulus is bad enough, I like the Townsquare idea! An actual decent company...
 
willdav713 said:
If that happens 104 KRBE will be renamed to 104.1 Kiss-FM and would play the same playlist of KHFI. And Kidd Kraddick will be back on.

My question for this board is: Could Townsquare be interested in the Houston market?
Click to expand...

Townsquare isn't bad. They're pretty good in the Lufkin-Nac and Tyler-Longview markets.

Although they are also a likely a new owner for KRBE, right after CC.

As for Kidd Kraddick coming back, that's a high possibility, but I think Bobby Bones is likely the next syndicated morning show to enter the Houston market. Plus a lot of Kidd Kraddick's affiliates are Townsquare media stations, so he can also come back also if Townsquare enters Houston.
 
Mediafrog+ said:
Were Cox to buy KRBE, the format would likely reamin unchanged. A sale to CBS would result in some format tweaks within the local cluster.
Click to expand...

Also if CC acquired KRBE, the format would likely remain unchanged too. CBS would have the monopoly on the Top 40 stations in Houston and will result in not just format tweaks, but format flips for a station or two.

CC has KXXM in their hometown of S.A., KRBE might be reformatted in that fashion to diversify their offerings in the Houston cluster.
 
mr.ric said:
rageradio said:
Cox is another nightmare.. Probably become another jukebox.
Click to expand...

Worse than CC
Click to expand...

Oh, now you two are just being silly! Worse than CC.....puhleeze! C'mon. Let's just imagine the station's future under Cox ownership, "KGLK-Lake Jackson, 107 5, KHPT-Conroe, 106 9, and KRBE-Houston, 104 1. We are the Eagle! Houston's Classic Hits station."

I jest, of course. ;D
 
Cox should just simulcast the Eagle on everything they own...nationwide.

Doesn't work that way. KRBE is pretty much stand alone, but competition is still fierce between KRBE and CBS's MIX 96-5 and HOT 95-7.
 
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