Univision Layoffs

[uno]

Has anyone heard of any cuts at the Univision stations? I'm told it will be over 200 people company wide.

 

[BC_714]

David Eduardo works for Univision he should know what the word is out of New York.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

Has anyone heard of any cuts at the Univision stations? I'm told it will be over 200 people company wide.

They cut some 300, not 200, employees http://www.multichannel.com/article/189235-Univision_Latest_To_Make_Layoffs.php

This has been expected to the day (see Crain's New York article..."Univision Sees Smaller Picture". You can reach the article from this Google search without registering http://news.google.com/news?pz=1&ned=us&hl=en&q=crain+univision ) . Univision has a huge debt load. They are considered weak despite a good but falling cash flow. Their pre-tax cash flow is barely making their outrageous interest payments. The Univision and Clear Channel deals are the worst cases of overpayment and poor terms for broadcast companies ever. Paying 12x or more cash flow when you're only worth 3 or 4 times in today's world. Incredible. Chapter 11 is on the way...for both of them and a number of others.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/174072-Univision_CMO_Banikarim_Exits.php

http://online.barrons.com/article/SB123335928543535161.html?mod=googlenews_barrons

 

[returnofbongo]

I find it interesting that in the past, one could not mention the Gleasonistas or Univision without a long retort from the bloviated DE. But now, an (more) accurate ratings system shows that Univisions ratings were artificially high and that plus a difficult economy has exposed managements lack of leadership.

I am not surprised at the lack of chatter, it has been kind of nice. But, alas, I am REALLY sick of AMP/ KLSX.

I want to hear the defense for Univision, a broadcaster making the same mistakes as all the rest.

 

[Zeb Norris]

Don't hold your breath. If I worked for Univision there is NO WAY I would participate in this thread. Not with all of those lay-offs.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

For the record, from the lastest PPM ratings:
KLVE is tied for #3 25-54.
KRCD/KRCV slid to #9 25-54.

KSCA, once the top station in the market by far, is now #10 and the #3 Regional Mexican station behind KLAX and KBUE. It's been sliding for many months. Quite pathetic especially outside of morning drive.

 

[BC_714]

Somewhere Mr. Perenchio is laughing his off! He got out at the right time. Mr. Saban is probably regretting his investment in Univision right about now. This month we'll find out what happens with the internet rights in the U.S. involving Televisa content.

 

[Robnoxious]

So... Hispanic stations have been top loaded in the rating books for years and PPM is exposing some harsh truths that counter old diary perceived data?

Didn't see that one coming. :

Uni is just as exposed in the penny stocking of radio stock like the rest of 'em. Layoffs is of no surprise as far as news. All radio conglomerates are taking a cold chilling bath at the moment and it'll take the second coming of Marconi to make the tub somewhat tepid before more axes fall.

 

[davideduardo]

So... Hispanic stations have been top loaded in the rating books for years and PPM is exposing some harsh truths that counter old diary perceived data?

Yeah, the change has been horrible... there were 33 Spanish language station shares on average in the books ahead of the start of the PPM, and now the average is 31 shares. Gee, all of 6%, and the PPM sample is still not at the complete long term goals on daily in-tab, CPO households and proportionality.

In 18-49, the sales target for Spanish language stations, there are 4 Spanish language stations in the top 10. In 25-54, for the last book, there were 5 in the top 10. In the last diary based book, there were also 5 Spanish language stations in the top 10.

So where is the top loading?

Uni is just as exposed in the penny stocking of radio stock like the rest of 'em. Layoffs is of no surprise as far as news. All radio conglomerates are taking a cold chilling bath at the moment and it'll take the second coming of Marconi to make the tub somewhat tepid before more axes fall.

Every area of business is making cuts, and that includes locally owned stations in smaller markets, ma and pa retail outlets, etc. The Westfield chain of shopping centers just announced it was shortening hours of operation of its malls. To single out individual companies or industries in the midst of a recession is disingenuous.

 

[radioman148]

There is no place in radio or anywhere else to hide. Every business is making cuts.

 

[davideduardo]

For the record, from the lastest PPM ratings:
KLVE is tied for #3 25-54.
KRCD/KRCV slid to #9 25-54.

KSCA, once the top station in the market by far, is now #10 and the #3 Regional Mexican station behind KLAX and KBUE. It's been sliding for many months. Quite pathetic especially outside of morning drive.

Numbers are so compacted that moves of 4 or 5 positions are usual. In the most recent PPM, KRCD was 7th in 25 54 and KLVE was 8th. Next week they will move again, since only 0.9 shares, on average, separates #6 from #15 in PPM. Tiny movements represent enormous changes in rank.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

For the record, from the lastest PPM ratings:
KLVE is tied for #3 25-54.
KRCD/KRCV slid to #9 25-54.

KSCA, once the top station in the market by far, is now #10 and the #3 Regional Mexican station behind KLAX and KBUE. It's been sliding for many months. Quite pathetic especially outside of morning drive.

Numbers are so compacted that moves of 4 or 5 positions are usual. In the most recent PPM, KRCD was 7th in 25 54 and KLVE was 8th. Next week they will move again, since only 0.9 shares, on average, separates #6 from #15 in PPM. Tiny movements represent enormous changes in rank.

There are no "tiny" moves in KSCA's fall from first to tenth overall and now the third rated Regional Mexican station. 1/10th of a rating point can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars.

 

[returnofbongo]

There is the DE whe have come to know and tolerate. Not quite as pompous as a while back, but still a little fight. It is not about picking out one over the other, your comments are a perfect example of what is wrong with the industry.

You will sit there and reposition your way down a ranker. I don't care if there are 100 Spanish stations, be the best one. Univision has the most resources and has done the least with them. Probably, because of the likes of you, posting over 15,000 times making excuses and gloating about how great Univision is.

Well, you know what...Univision is nothing special, but you are not alone. There is no leadership in Radio right now. Think there is?

 

[BC_714]

So... Hispanic stations have been top loaded in the rating books for years and PPM is exposing some harsh truths that counter old diary perceived data?

Yeah, the change has been horrible... there were 33 Spanish language station shares on average in the books ahead of the start of the PPM, and now the average is 31 shares. Gee, all of 6%, and the PPM sample is still not at the complete long term goals on daily in-tab, CPO households and proportionality.

In 18-49, the sales target for Spanish language stations, there are 4 Spanish language stations in the top 10. In 25-54, for the last book, there were 5 in the top 10. In the last diary based book, there were also 5 Spanish language stations in the top 10.

So where is the top loading?

Uni is just as exposed in the penny stocking of radio stock like the rest of 'em. Layoffs is of no surprise as far as news. All radio conglomerates are taking a cold chilling bath at the moment and it'll take the second coming of Marconi to make the tub somewhat tepid before more axes fall.

Every area of business is making cuts, and that includes locally owned stations in smaller markets, ma and pa retail outlets, etc. The Westfield chain of shopping centers just announced it was shortening hours of operation of its malls. To single out individual companies or industries in the midst of a recession is disingenuous.

All I know is that Unvision is in trouble! They let go of several high profile talent like Enrique Gratas & Fernando Arau. They cut many staff members in Westchester. Like I said Jarold ( your old boss DE) got out just in time.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

So... Hispanic stations have been top loaded in the rating books for years and PPM is exposing some harsh truths that counter old diary perceived data?

Yeah, the change has been horrible... there were 33 Spanish language station shares on average in the books ahead of the start of the PPM, and now the average is 31 shares. Gee, all of 6%, and the PPM sample is still not at the complete long term goals on daily in-tab, CPO households and proportionality.

In 18-49, the sales target for Spanish language stations, there are 4 Spanish language stations in the top 10. In 25-54, for the last book, there were 5 in the top 10. In the last diary based book, there were also 5 Spanish language stations in the top 10.

So where is the top loading?

Uni is just as exposed in the penny stocking of radio stock like the rest of 'em. Layoffs is of no surprise as far as news. All radio conglomerates are taking a cold chilling bath at the moment and it'll take the second coming of Marconi to make the tub somewhat tepid before more axes fall.

Every area of business is making cuts, and that includes locally owned stations in smaller markets, ma and pa retail outlets, etc. The Westfield chain of shopping centers just announced it was shortening hours of operation of its malls. To single out individual companies or industries in the midst of a recession is disingenuous.

All I know is that Unvision is in trouble! They let go of several high profile talent like Enrique Gratas & Fernando Arau. They cut many staff members in Westchester. Like I said Jarold ( your old boss DE) got out just in time.

When it comes down to it, the real problem with Univision, not unlike other broadcasters, is debt. It's just that Clear Channel and Univision are, as I have been posting from the day these deals came down, the poster childs of the worst kinds of financing for a broadcast company in HISTORY. There is no possible way Univision, or to be fair many other companies including Clear Channel, will ever be able to repay their bondholders. They MUST go bankrupt. These companies don't have the possibility of any growth that will ever be able to catch up to the interest payments and refinancing in a down economy, which is going to last for many years, possible a decade or generation. Jerry Perenchio was a genius to get out when he did.

Univision is in a uniquely poor position during this recession or depression (the latter has just started IMHO). Although there is growth with the Hispanic population, they won't be getting the influx of illegal aliens, now in slight reverse, that drive the Hispanic adult populations in most of their markets plus Hispanics, many being illegal aliens, are losing their jobs at a rate much higher than any other ethnic group. They also end up with a Hispanic listener that, even prior to the downturn in the economy, was losing Household income and thus has the least amount of disposable income. Some of those facts I've posted before but David Eduardo will never challenge them. Must be the links I provide to prove them.

I was posting about a downturn coming at the end of 2006/beginning of 2007 and David Eduardo challenged me then. As I've posted before, he has little insight into the future, based on his board postings, a number of which are traceable flip-flops and partial, if any, responses to challenges to his "so-called" facts. Some of us can certainly see "The Emperor Has No Clothes".