Would you be shocked if........

[Jul]

Clear Channel buys 1210 AM WPHT? If they do that, they will have to sell one of its Philly radio stations. I would sell 1480 AM if I was clear channel, so I can get 1210 AM .

 

[FredLeonard]

I would be shocked if CBS were even to consider selling it to them.

 

[aindik]

I would be shocked if CBS were even to consider selling it to them.

I would think it more likely CBS would swap the formats of 1210 and 610 and then sell 610. I just get the sense that CBS wants out of the political talk business nationwide and has nothing else to put on a 3rd AMer with news and sports covered.

And I don't think Clear Channel has to unload stations. Aren't they allowed 8 stations, 5 in a single band? They own 5 FM and one AM.

 

[JRH]

CBS won't do anything to hurt their cluster, like sell 610 or 1210; and they won't do anything to help a competitor's cluster, like sell a station to Clear Channel.

 

[HGN2001]

CBS won't do anything to hurt their cluster, like sell 610 or 1210; and they won't do anything to help a competitor's cluster, like sell a station to Clear Channel.

UNLESS, there's a mutually beneficial switch of stations in another market as part of the same deal.

 

[aindik]

Is selling 610 so Clear Channel can put syndicated conservative talk on it really hurting the cluster? Which station does it steal ratings from?

 

[joshzz]

Is selling 610 so Clear Channel can put syndicated conservative talk on it really hurting the cluster? Which station does it steal ratings from?

Following with that.. Which station does it steal ratings from considering the syndicated conservative talk audience is vanishing?

 

[pab]

It steals billings from the parent company because their national ad rates for CBSSN will drop if there's no Philadelphia clearance.

 

[aindik]

There would be a Philadelphia clearance on 1210.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

It seems that somewhere here, someone posted that WPHT is making far more money from local spots with their current programming than they did when airing the national talkers from Premiere Radio. Yes their ratings [12+ are lower than WWIQ], but those Premiere shows cost WPHT actual money [these aren't bartered shows]. So if this is true, why would CBS want to air programming that's costing them more money than they are making by airing such programs? CBS Radio is a business. If they thought they could make more money airing 24/7 Polkas on 1210 you'd be hearing "Roll Out the Barrel", etc, instead of Dom, etc.

Why should CBS sell either 1210 or 610? Granted 610's ratings aren't setting the world on fire, but CBS needs a Philly clearance for their CBS Sports Radio, so 610 does the job and the parent company is making money from the national spots airing on CBS Sports Radio. They also make money from any local avails, even with the small ratings as that station targets a prized demo [young men]. So even the low numbers of men below 45 who listen to 610 mean far more than the larger numbers of over 55 men listening to Rush to an advertiser.

Just as CC makes money with their 1290 WWTX Fox Sports Radio station in Wilmington. Same low number of listeners like 610, but 1290 gives them a Wilmington AND Philly Clearance as 1290 can be heard in Philly and again that prized younger male demo. So both CBS and CC make money by having a "from the bird, computer in a closet" radio station.

People get upset because a radio station dare to air only network/syndicated programming. That's what TV does all the time, other than the local news. Local isn't always better. Frankly, I do listen to 94.1 and 97.5 to hear what's going on with the Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers, but how much discussion about the Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers can one listen to in a day without it becoming repetitive? For my ear, I also listen to 1290 [Fox Sports Radio] for the Dan Patrick Show and Jay Mohr Show for a far broader view of the sports world. Both CBS Sports Radio [610], Fox Sports Radio [1290] offer that view as does ESPN Radio [97.3] from NJ. We in the Philly/Wilmington area have 5 Sports/Talk stations to choose from.

Chances are CBS markets 610 WIP as clearing both markets [Philly and Wilmington] as 610 has a solid signal into the Wilmington area, so they cover market #8 and # 76 with one signal, as 1290 does for CC.

So for those of you who miss elRushbo/Beck/Hannity there still are other rim shot stations around Philly [in Wilmington, Harrisburg, and NYC that reach some portion of the Philly market] where you can still hear their same ole same ole rant.

 

[DG02816]

Mike pretty much nails it. Even though I'm in the demo that's targeted by Rush, et.al, that flavor of talk leaves me cold. I'd rather hosts like Dennis Praeger or IRN/USA's Kerby Anderson.

 

[Jul]

If you want my honest opinion, selling 1210 might be the best thing for them, because they can finally focus on 1060 as their main news outlet, instead of focusing on 1060 and 1210. Also CBS is the reason why 1210 has declined since the WCAU days, dating back to the 70's . Knowing CBS, they might buy an FM for airing KYW-AM programming and the sports that's on 1210, perhaps from a CC FM station in Philly like 106.1 or 104.5. if this happens, my gut tells me that CC will sell or shutdown 1480 AM in order to buy 1210 AM.

 

[FredLeonard]

If you want my honest opinion, selling 1210 might be the best thing for them, because they can finally focus on 1060 as their main news outlet, instead of focusing on 1060 and 1210. Also CBS is the reason why 1210 has declined since the WCAU days, dating back to the 70's . Knowing CBS, they might buy an FM for airing KYW-AM programming and the sports that's on 1210, perhaps from a CC FM station in Philly like 106.1 or 104.5. if this happens, my gut tells me that CC will sell or shutdown 1480 AM in order to buy 1210 AM.

CBS does not focus on 1210 as a news outlet at all. 1210 gets news from Metro. Metro is owned by Bain Channel. Actually, 1210 would be better off carrying CBS Radio plus local updates from (and credited to) KYW.

Why sell? When IQ shuts down and Rush disappears (or ends up some rim-shot or weak stick AM), they are going to be doing quite well.

 

[Jul]

My gut tells me that CC will make a bid to buy WPHT from CBS before IQ changes ownership and format so that they can get clearance of all of their shows. if CC gets WPHT, CC will have to sell of their stations in the Philly market.