Who will buy Lite, Magic & WAXY?

[otherradioboy]

Let's see....CBS likely wont jump in. They are selling off stuff. Cox only owns 4 stations, so maybe. Clear Channel...probably owns too much in the market already and they're in a sale mess right now. Radio One and Salem are good candidates for something. They each have a stand-alone AM in the market and would love to have an FM station. It's a small company, but James Crystal is sort-of in Miami-Fort Lauderdale and doesn't own any FM's. Or might want WAXY to add to their AM group. Beasley is possible, although they are not really in an expanding mode. And then there are the Spanish operators, too.

So do you think it will be someone new coming to town or someone already here? I guess it depends if Lincoln sells all the stations as a group or spins them off independently.

And will the new owners honor the LMA on WAXY or take it for themselves?


Lincoln Financial Media radio group

CALLS Revenue-2006 (000)

WLYF 18100

WMXJ 12200

WAXY 1800

 

[livingfruitvirus]

I think CBS Radio will bid.

 

[Faraway]

I think CBS Radio will bid.

Maybe but there are cross ownership issues, at least in Miami, where CBS owns WFOR and the former WBFS TV's.

 

[davideduardo]

I think CBS Radio will bid.

Maybe but there are cross ownership issues, at least in Miami, where CBS owns WFOR and the former WBFS TV's.

TV and radio crossownership is not prohibited, as long as the market cap is observed. Univsion has 2 TVs adn 4 radio in the market, for example. And SBS has 1 TV and 3 FM.

 

[livingfruitvirus]

I think CBS Radio will bid.

Maybe but there are cross ownership issues, at least in Miami, where CBS owns WFOR and the former WBFS TV's.

David beat me to the punch but yeah, no ownership issues between TV and radio. CBS has expressed interest in expanding their reach in cities like Miami, Atlanta and San Diego, all which Lincoln Financial own stations in.

Another example: In Jacksonville, Clear Channel owns 2 TVs, 6 FMs, and 1 AM.

 

[noknownuser]

Cox will make a serious play for Lite & Majic, but they'd have to spin 1 FM. I think the proposed cluster will look like this:

WEDR-FM (99.1)
WFLC-FM (97.3)
WHQT-FM (105.1)
WLYF-FM (101.5)
WMXJ-FM (102.7)

Cox will spin WHDR-FM (93.1).

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Cox will make a serious play for Lite & Majic, but they'd have to spin 1 FM. I think the proposed cluster will look like this:

WEDR-FM (99.1)
WFLC-FM (97.3)
WHQT-FM (105.1)
WLYF-FM (101.5)
WMXJ-FM (102.7)

Cox will spin WHDR-FM (93.1).

It doesn't make sense to give up on good signal (WHDR) to buy two others. What Cox needs to do is learn how to program Oldies and A/C formats for Miami.

 

[Faraway]

It doesn't make sense to give up on good signal (WHDR) to buy two others. What Cox needs to do is learn how to program Oldies and A/C formats for Miami.

The more I think about it, how dumb would they look selling a station they paid $100million for...it's probably worth less today! But selling one FM would help fund a chunk of their acquistation. Now that I have been corrected about the non-crossownership issue, I could see CBS getting involved.

What about WAXY? CBS might have interest, but for those who think they'd do all news, dream on. If 790 was sold off separately, it's not out of the question CC would be interested. They COULD add a third AM station. Also, Feinberg could buy it.

James-Crystal? As much as they lust to really get into the Miami market, I'd say No Way.

I know, I know....it's very early on and there is plenty of time for speculation. But WMXJ and WLYF are great properties (in fact almost ALL of the LFG stations are in very strong market positions).

 

[noknownuser]

I suggested Cox would sell WHDR for the simple fact it's the lowest biller out of the 6 stations.

 

[livingfruitvirus]

James-Crystal? As much as they lust to really get into the Miami market, I'd say No Way.

James-Crystal looks like they're going to sell off WMEN eventually. I don't know if they want to even stay in radio further.

 

[RadioGeek06]

Cox won't sell off WHDR...like someone mentioned...they paid $100m forit...and it's not worth that today.

WHQT and WFLC are the top billers in that building. WEDR is a maybe...but it's so solid.

Cox would probably only buy ONE FM and WAXY...then they would prob go for the Panthers and/or Marlins to be on that signal. Dont be surprised if they buy an AM/FM and make it a simulcast! They did it in Jacksonville successfully!

 

[davideduardo]

Cox won't sell off WHDR...like someone mentioned...they paid $100m forit...and it's not worth that today.

WHQT and WFLC are the top billers in that building. WEDR is a maybe...but it's so solid.

WEDR is 5th in the market in billings, WHQT is 4th and WFLC 9th.

 

[radiosgreatest1]

CBS Could Buy Lite and make it a simulcast of Sunny...

 

[bgwilde1]

I don't think it will be Cox or CBS going after them, and here is why...

LF indicated that they do not want to take a hit on taxes. That usually means the purchaser is going to have to cough up some stock or other assets to trade, similar to how the Atlanta Braves were sold. While Cox and CBS do have shares they can trade, CBS is selling in several markets and concentrating on cleaning up the mess in NYC.

Cox did not spend money just in Miami, but also Atlanta. Why buy something when you may have to break it up? Also, I do not see the sports division as a fit with their businesses, or they would have had something like it already.

LF has also indicated that they would rather find one buyer instead of selling bits.

If you REALLY want to speculate about who will buy it, look for someone with billions in assets to trade that LF might be interested in talking to.

The only players I see at that level are venture capital companies, fund managers, and those that would like to enter broadcasting in a big way.

Other than that, most of the business is either staying flat, selling, or just digested big purchases.