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Univision for sale?

C

CinnamonRoll

Guest
Full story

NEW YORK (Reuters) — Spanish-language broadcaster Univision Communications (UVN) is considering a sale of the company, a source familiar with the matter said.

An auction of the company is likely to draw keen interest from media conglomerates angling for an entry into the booming U.S. Hispanic market.

-------------------------------------------------------------

How does everyone think this will play out?
Do you think Univision will try to sell to someone who will continue to target Hispanics or will they just sell to the highest bidder?
Who do you see as potential buyers?
What would you like to see in Houston if this results in format flips?

Myself, I have no idea.

As for formats, if the stations remain Spanish, I wouldn't mind seeing XO move onto a better signal.
I'm not sure if the lack of coverage is responsible for their ratings, but maybe it would help?
I like the sond of some of the music, even if I can't understand it.

If any flips are made to English language formats, I would really like to see a well done dance music station, similar to iPartyRadio.
Dance hasn't done well in the past, but it would be nice if someone gave it another try, especially on a good signal.
Other possibilities could be Active Rock, a Classic Alternative/Modern Indie hybrid, Old School Hip-Hop, or Jammin' Oldies.
A return to Adult Standards on 102.9 would be really cool too, but you know what they say about snowballs and hell.<P ID="signature">______________
Because you dance to disco but you still like rock.</P>
 
> How does everyone think this will play out?
> Do you think Univision will try to sell to someone who will
> continue to target Hispanics or will they just sell to the
> highest bidder?
> Who do you see as potential buyers?
> What would you like to see in Houston if this results in
> format flips?
>
> Myself, I have no idea.
>
> As for formats, if the stations remain Spanish, I wouldn't
> mind seeing XO move onto a better signal.
> I'm not sure if the lack of coverage is responsible for
> their ratings, but maybe it would help?
> I like the sond of some of the music, even if I can't
> understand it.
>
> If any flips are made to English language formats, I would
> really like to see a well done dance music station, similar
> to iPartyRadio.
> Dance hasn't done well in the past, but it would be nice if
> someone gave it another try, especially on a good signal.
> Other possibilities could be Active Rock, a Classic
> Alternative/Modern Indie hybrid, Old School Hip-Hop, or
> Jammin' Oldies.
> A return to Adult Standards on 102.9 would be really cool
> too, but you know what they say about snowballs and hell.
>
I'd like to see that too, but I won't hold my breath either. Why on earth are they opening that new office building at 59 and 610 if they are just selling out?

As far as flips, #1. I'd like to see 106.5 format a Top 40 to compete with KRBE. I know that a lot of people don't believe that KRBE can be competed with in this market, but competition is healthy and could only make KRBE better in the long run.
#2. 93.3 to oldies. True oldies. Not what 107.5 has morphed into. I like KLDE, but I'd like to have a station here that plays Dion, The Fleetwoods, Elvis, Chuck Berry, and all of the golden oldies from the 50's. True, it would be a rimshot, but would be a nice addition to our market, and would be competitive with Cool 92.5 in Beaumont.
#3. 980 KRTX dumps the Tejano. Preferably move the "Recuerdo" format here, or Que Buena.
#4. Move the Party to 102.9. If you want to compete with the Box, this gives you the signal to do just that.
#5. Estereo Latino to move to 104.9, with the upgrade of 105.3 this would broadcast Pepito all over the gulf coast of Texas and into Louisiana...

But, more than likely a company like Liberman will buy up the stations and all of this will be for nothing.
P.S. I think KQQK 107.9 (XO) is owned by Liberman, not Univision.
<P ID="signature">______________
You can't kill rock-n-roll, it's here to stay
R.I.P. KEGL-Dallas & KLOL-Houston</P>
 
Re: Univision for sale? David Eduardo?

> How does everyone think this will play out?

Forget about any format flips. Univision would still continue to operate, just as a Hispanic targeted unit of a bigger company. Those demographics are still growing rapidly. You're going to see more Hispanic targeted formats in the future, not less. Some will be in English, as the population assimilates and more second, third, and fourth generation Hispanics make their impact felt.

It will be interesting to get David Eduardo's take on this, if he is at liberty to comment.
 
> I'd like to see that too, but I won't hold my breath either.
> Why on earth are they opening that new office building at 59
> and 610 if they are just selling out?

That move had been planned for a couple of years I believe.

> As far as flips, #1. I'd like to see 106.5 format a Top 40
> to compete with KRBE. I know that a lot of people don't
> believe that KRBE can be competed with in this market, but
> competition is healthy and could only make KRBE better in
> the long run.

A little CHR competition like we saw in the 80's would be nice, but I don't know if 106.5 would be a good frequency to use for it.
104.1 has far better coverage.
I recall someone mentioning a while back that there was speculation of 106.5 switching to a CHR or possibly Dance/Pop format and calling it The Beat back in 1994.
KRBE took a pre-emptive strike and re-branded thier Saturday night mix show previously broadcast from Bayou Mama's and called it....The Beat.
I don't know how much truth there is to that.
Also, information in this post conflicts with that.

> #2. 93.3 to oldies. True oldies. Not what 107.5 has morphed
> into. I like KLDE, but I'd like to have a station here that
> plays Dion, The Fleetwoods, Elvis, Chuck Berry, and all of
> the golden oldies from the 50's. True, it would be a
> rimshot, but would be a nice addition to our market, and
> would be competitive with Cool 92.5 in Beaumont.

Good one!
An oldies station like we had with KLDE when it first started would be awesome.
Everything prior to the hippie flower power era.

> #3. 980 KRTX dumps the Tejano. Preferably move the
> "Recuerdo" format here, or Que Buena.
> #4. Move the Party to 102.9. If you want to compete with the
> Box, this gives you the signal to do just that.
> #5. Estereo Latino to move to 104.9, with the upgrade of
> 105.3 this would broadcast Pepito all over the gulf coast of
> Texas and into Louisiana...
>
> But, more than likely a company like Liberman will buy up
> the stations and all of this will be for nothing.

As for everything else, sure, why not?
<P ID="signature">______________
Because you dance to disco but you still like rock.</P>
 
Re: Univision for sale? David Eduardo?

> > How does everyone think this will play out?
>
> Forget about any format flips. Univision would still
> continue to operate, just as a Hispanic targeted unit of a
> bigger company. Those demographics are still growing
> rapidly. You're going to see more Hispanic targeted formats
> in the future, not less. Some will be in English, as the
> population assimilates and more second, third, and fourth
> generation Hispanics make their impact felt.
>
> It will be interesting to get David Eduardo's take on this,
> if he is at liberty to comment.

I'd like to say that.... uugh, ummmm... mmmmmm.
 
> > I'd like to see that too, but I won't hold my breath
> either.
> > Why on earth are they opening that new office building at
> 59
> > and 610 if they are just selling out?
>
> That move had been planned for a couple of years I believe.
>
> > As far as flips, #1. I'd like to see 106.5 format a Top 40
>
> > to compete with KRBE. I know that a lot of people don't
> > believe that KRBE can be competed with in this market, but
>
> > competition is healthy and could only make KRBE better in
> > the long run.
>
> A little CHR competition like we saw in the 80's would be
> nice, but I don't know if 106.5 would be a good frequency to
> use for it.
> 104.1 has far better coverage.
> I recall someone mentioning a while back that there was
> speculation of 106.5 switching to a CHR or possibly
> Dance/Pop format and calling it The Beat back in 1994.
> KRBE took a pre-emptive strike and re-branded thier Saturday
> night mix show previously broadcast from Bayou Mama's and
> called it....The Beat.
> I don't know how much truth there is to that.
> Also, information in this post conflicts with that.
>
> > #2. 93.3 to oldies. True oldies. Not what 107.5 has
> morphed
> > into. I like KLDE, but I'd like to have a station here
> that
> > plays Dion, The Fleetwoods, Elvis, Chuck Berry, and all of
>
> > the golden oldies from the 50's. True, it would be a
> > rimshot, but would be a nice addition to our market, and
> > would be competitive with Cool 92.5 in Beaumont.
>
> Good one!
> An oldies station like we had with KLDE when it first
> started would be awesome.
> Everything prior to the hippie flower power era.
>
> > #3. 980 KRTX dumps the Tejano. Preferably move the
> > "Recuerdo" format here, or Que Buena.
> > #4. Move the Party to 102.9. If you want to compete with
> the
> > Box, this gives you the signal to do just that.
> > #5. Estereo Latino to move to 104.9, with the upgrade of
> > 105.3 this would broadcast Pepito all over the gulf coast
> of
> > Texas and into Louisiana...
> >
> > But, more than likely a company like Liberman will buy up
> > the stations and all of this will be for nothing.
>
> As for everything else, sure, why not?
>
HEY EVERYONE, YOU'RE JUMPING THE GUN! First off, Their new building at 610 and 59 has been in the works for 2 years and it's almost done. That will be a great move for both TV and Radio. Second, they only announced that they are interested in selling. That probably means something is in the works and an announcement could be months or even weeks away. If that happens it will be another 18 months, more or less, before the transaction would be consumated, with the FCC approval process, and then several months after that before you'd see any quirky or non-quirky moves. It's fun to speculate, but the serious speculation shouldn't happen for another 2 years. Just trying to keep it in perspective.
 
"106.5 The Beat"/"WiLD 106.5"

> A little CHR competition like we saw in the 80's would be
> nice, but I don't know if 106.5 would be a good frequency to
> use for it.
> 104.1 has far better coverage.
> I recall someone mentioning a while back that there was
> speculation of 106.5 switching to a CHR or possibly
> Dance/Pop format and calling it The Beat back in 1994.
> KRBE took a pre-emptive strike and re-branded thier Saturday
> night mix show previously broadcast from Bayou Mama's and
> called it....The Beat.
> I don't know how much truth there is to that.
> Also, information in this post conflicts with that.

I've seen seen that mentioned on this board many times (since the CoastToCoast InsideTheWeb days back in '98). Another time, they almost flipped to Rhythmic CHR as "Wild 106.5". Coincidentally, (or not so coincidentally) The Beat became "Wild 104" just in time. I remember an El Dorado insider saying that there was a storage room full of "Wild 106.5" promo gear somewhere. I do believe KRBE needs direct competition but it will have to be on a city grade signal, in my opinion. Then there's a part of me that would love to see Dance or Active Rock first.
 
> HEY EVERYONE, YOU'RE JUMPING THE GUN! First off, Their new
> building at 610 and 59 has been in the works for 2 years and
> it's almost done. That will be a great move for both TV and
> Radio. Second, they only announced that they are interested
> in selling. That probably means something is in the works
> and an announcement could be months or even weeks away. If
> that happens it will be another 18 months, more or less,
> before the transaction would be consumated, with the FCC
> approval process, and then several months after that before
> you'd see any quirky or non-quirky moves. It's fun to
> speculate, but the serious speculation shouldn't happen for
> another 2 years. Just trying to keep it in perspective.
>
You're right, adguy, but it's always fun to speculate and throw ideas around. I knew it had been awhile since they first started on the new building. It just seems to me that it is a waste of time and effort to relocate all of the Univision offices and staff if they are just going to sell the company in the upcoming months.<P ID="signature">______________
You can't kill rock-n-roll, it's here to stay
R.I.P. KEGL-Dallas & KLOL-Houston</P>
 
it in perspective.
> >
> You're right, adguy, but it's always fun to speculate and
> throw ideas around. I knew it had been awhile since they
> first started on the new building. It just seems to me that
> it is a waste of time and effort to relocate all of the
> Univision offices and staff if they are just going to sell
> the company in the upcoming months.

A new owner would somehow not need a building?
>
 
But of course!
I only speculate for the fun of it.
I don't take any of it seriously.

> HEY EVERYONE, YOU'RE JUMPING THE GUN! First off, Their new
> building at 610 and 59 has been in the works for 2 years and
> it's almost done. That will be a great move for both TV and
> Radio. Second, they only announced that they are interested
> in selling. That probably means something is in the works
> and an announcement could be months or even weeks away. If
> that happens it will be another 18 months, more or less,
> before the transaction would be consumated, with the FCC
> approval process, and then several months after that before
> you'd see any quirky or non-quirky moves. It's fun to
> speculate, but the serious speculation shouldn't happen for
> another 2 years. Just trying to keep it in perspective.<P ID="signature">______________
Because you dance to disco but you still like rock.</P>
 
> it in perspective.
> > >
> > You're right, adguy, but it's always fun to speculate and
> > throw ideas around. I knew it had been awhile since they
> > first started on the new building. It just seems to me
> that
> > it is a waste of time and effort to relocate all of the
> > Univision offices and staff if they are just going to sell
>
> > the company in the upcoming months.
>
> A new owner would somehow not need a building?
> >
>
Forget it. Never mind.


But, it is good to see you, David. It's been awfully silent on your side of the fence...cat got your tongue? I expected to see a lengthy post from you on this subject, and up until now...zilch.<P ID="signature">______________
You can't kill rock-n-roll, it's here to stay
R.I.P. KEGL-Dallas & KLOL-Houston</P>
 
> But, it is good to see you, David. It's been awfully silent
> on your side of the fence...cat got your tongue? I expected
> to see a lengthy post from you on this subject, and up until
> now...zilch.
>

Obviously, and I speak "generically" here, when there are major transactions at any public company, the top management is not able for a variety of reasons to comment as they are privy to data that is confidential and they hold in a fiduciary capacity. So people among such groups are going to be the "least likely" sources while anything is going on.
 
> > But, it is good to see you, David. It's been awfully
> silent
> > on your side of the fence...cat got your tongue? I
> expected
> > to see a lengthy post from you on this subject, and up
> until
> > now...zilch.
> >
>
> Obviously, and I speak "generically" here, when there are
> major transactions at any public company, the top management
> is not able for a variety of reasons to comment as they are
> privy to data that is confidential and they hold in a
> fiduciary capacity. So people among such groups are going to
> be the "least likely" sources while anything is going on.
>
I was afraid that you were going to say that. Of course, none of us want you to jeopardize your position, but it sure would be good to hear your take on the situation and if you think that this potential move is in the best interest of the Hispanic community. There is really no other broadcaster, IMO, that serves the community, and represents the Hispanics in this city, as well as Univision does. Who will be able to fill those shoes? It definitely isn't NBC Telemundo.
<P ID="signature">______________
You can't kill rock-n-roll, it's here to stay
R.I.P. KEGL-Dallas & KLOL-Houston</P>
 
> >
> I was afraid that you were going to say that. Of course,
> none of us want you to jeopardize your position, but it sure
> would be good to hear your take on the situation and if you
> think that this potential move is in the best interest of
> the Hispanic community. There is really no other
> broadcaster, IMO, that serves the community, and represents
> the Hispanics in this city, as well as Univision does. Who
> will be able to fill those shoes? It definitely isn't NBC
> Telemundo.
>

Here is a quote from the press that might widen the discussion from just pure broadcast companies.

Bankers agree that there could be a number of possibilities beyond a strategic buyer. "A private equity company could end up partnering with a strategic player," speculates one banker, "A $6 billion equity check would be nothing for a private equity guy right now."

Wall Street agrees that private equity interest in Univision could be huge. Many investors -- such as Providence Equity and ABRY Partners -- have recently made acquisitions in Hispanic media. Although private equity bidders wouldn't be competitive alone, by partnering with an interested media company, many could be competitive.
 
> Wall Street agrees that private equity interest in Univision
> could be huge. Many investors -- such as Providence Equity
> and ABRY Partners -- have recently made acquisitions in
> Hispanic media. Although private equity bidders wouldn't be
> competitive alone, by partnering with an interested media
> company, many could be competitive.

I read it could be worth $13-$15 billion!!! Anyone wanna go in on it together?

I don't know much Spanish, pero yo puedo aprender... ha ha, is that right?
 
> I don't know much Spanish, pero yo puedo aprender... ha ha,
> is that right?
>
Yup.. I mean Sí

I wonder how this will affect the WKAQ/WUKQ/WAEL-AM; WKAQ/WUKQ-FM and WLII/WSUR/WORA-TV combos in Puerto Rico.<P ID="signature">______________
I listen to what I like.
Ratings be Damned.</P>
 
Most likely the Univision Radio Division will be sold to one company for all the stations nationwide, as the Susquehanna sale went down. Just for the sake of speculation, if Univision sold the stations by region or market, could Liberman buy up all the Univision stations that serve metro Houston and then sell off the lesser stations? The majority of the Univision stations have far superior coverage than the stations that Liberman owns now in the Houston area. Liberman has three AM's that could be upgraded for excellent regional coverage 24/7 {700, 850, & 880}, but the money is being spent on the FM stations at this time. The two Univision AM's are not bad, although KLAT 1010 suffers terrible interference from Waco's KBBW and KRTX 980 has a marginal daytime signal, but very decent nighttime coverage with the 4kW. Liberman is already over the limit with nine stations, although he claims that one is "grandfathered" and he is with-in the legal limit of stations. I'm sure LBI would love to own KLTN 102.9 and KOVE 106.5 both with better Houston coverage than any of the current FM's LBI owns.

Mike O
 
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