The Rockets are looking for a new radio home.

[TroyG]

http://www.chron.com/sports/articleComments/TV-Radio-Notebook-Rockets-in-market-for-new-3514031.php

Last Night's Rockets game may be the last one for KILT-AM because it 10-year deal with the team has expired, and they're looking for a new station to cover them. The Rockets may go to Cumulus' ESPN 97-5 FM or Radio-One's News 92.1 FM. The Former has a dilemma of its own as Cumulus MUST sell off ESPN 97-5 & KHJK, as they're planning on retaining KRBE for the time being; The Latter may build some programming around The Rockets and it could some sports talk shows, Like WWL has done mostly for The Saints.

 

[Kent]

The Former has a dilemma of its own as Cumulus MUST sell off ESPN 97-5 & KHJK, as they're planning on retaining KRBE for the time being;

Incorrect on two counts. First, Cumulus doesn't own ESPN 97.5 & KHJK. They were transferred to a group of lenders several months ago and no longer have an ownership stake in the two stations. Yes, they continue to program them, but they don't own them. Second, Cumulus has every right to buy them back if they can meet the lenders' price. There is no requirement, legal or otherwise, that someone else buy the stations. Cumulus can own each of them along with KRBE.

 

[purpledevil]

Kent is spot on. If they're moving my bet is on KBME, but with the nighttime signal being suspect in the southern tier of the city maybe not. Seems this would be a nice feather in the hat of KGOW if they could land the Rockets package.

Why wouldn't they simply re-sign another 10 yr. contract with CBS? I mean, hell they were on 96.5 this season, and 100.3 is another option as well. Having 2 FM's capable of broadcasting your games would be hard to walk away from in the eyes of Rockets management, I would think.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Second, Cumulus has every right to buy them back if they can meet the lenders' price. There is no requirement, legal or otherwise, that someone else buy the stations. Cumulus can own each of them along with KRBE.

There is probably not a "set" sale price. The current owner, Patrick's Oxford Radio, will sell to the highest bidder, and I would think both stations would be considered separately to maximize return. We may find out about some potential owners in the next few days.

Kent is spot on. If they're moving my bet is on KBME, but with the nighttime signal being suspect in the southern tier of the city maybe not. Seems this would be a nice feather in the hat of KGOW if they could land the Rockets package.

Except that the KGOW nighttime signal has far more holes than that of KBME. Gow would have to blow Lex Alexander away will all kinds of money (or a "team retains rights" deal, a la the Texans) to get the Rockets on 1560.

 

[schmave]

Would they ever consider going back to KTRH? Best night signal by far (in most areas). Only thing there is what FM station would carry games if any?

 

[Kent]

There is probably not a "set" sale price. The current owner, Patrick's Oxford Radio, will sell to the highest bidder, and I would think both stations would be considered separately to maximize return. We may find out about some potential owners in the next few days.

The lenders almost surely have a minimum price as they're trying to recoup their investment. However, I doubt they're telling anyone exactly what it is, and they'll probably just hold onto the stations if no one bids an acceptable price. In other words, good luck buying the stations for $1! I suspect you're right that they'd be willing to consider selling the stations separately if it would mean higher prices.

 

[stan]

There is probably not a "set" sale price. The current owner, Patrick's Oxford Radio, will sell to the highest bidder, and I would think both stations would be considered separately to maximize return. We may find out about some potential owners in the next few days.

The lenders almost surely have a minimum price as they're trying to recoup their investment. However, I doubt they're telling anyone exactly what it is, and they'll probably just hold onto the stations if no one bids an acceptable price. In other words, good luck buying the stations for $1! I suspect you're right that they'd be willing to consider selling the stations separately if it would mean higher prices.

My bet is that Cumulus winds up with both 97.5 and 103.7 and nothing changes.

740 or 950 would be a good home for the Rockets with a FM simulcast on 93.7.

 

[johndavis]

My bet is that Cumulus winds up with both 97.5 and 103.7 and nothing changes.

That's a safe bet. The only reason I can see why the trustee was making noise before NAB is trying to drive the price up.

 

[willdav713]

Kent is spot on. If they're moving my bet is on KBME, but with the nighttime signal being suspect in the southern tier of the city maybe not. Seems this would be a nice feather in the hat of KGOW if they could land the Rockets package.

Why wouldn't they simply re-sign another 10 yr. contract with CBS? I mean, hell they were on 96.5 this season, and 100.3 is another option as well. Having 2 FM's capable of broadcasting your games would be hard to walk away from in the eyes of Rockets management, I would think.

Rockets? The would get better ratings with the Spurs