Clear Channel Sells Top 100 Markets

Todd Ellis

http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=19792&hed=Clear+Channel+Sold

This is out everywhere - but I thought I'd pass it along.

Scott Nilsen · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006, 03:05 (GMT) Post subject:

Implications for us as voiceover artists? Helpful or not?

Todd Ellis · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006, 03:12 (GMT) Post subject:

Who knows. The massive uber-media-company-holding-group-guys only bought the top 100 markets. The rest will be sold off piecemeal in smaller buys.

It COULD be good news for those doing Image work - there could be a lot of stations re-positioning in the next few months.

Michael Forrester · Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006, 18:01 (GMT) Post subject:

Here's my take on the sale of small market C/C stations. A very senior manager in a broadcast company I once worked for said that when the game changes somebody has the chance to make money. Example; look how the internet has effected traditional media.

So [1] the game is changing because stations are being sold. [2] People will analyze how this changes the playing field. [3] Those who figure this out early in the game have an opportunity to profit from it.

As voice talents we have to do the research to discover if or how we may benefit from these changes. Make sense?

Jim Sanders Beasley · Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006, 04:44 (GMT) Post subject:

CC is selling radio in markets SMALLER than the top 100. They have also taken the first steps to going private and getting out of the Wall Street spotlight, which has been pretty nasty for a year or so.

They never really got a handle on operating 1200 radio stations, especially with the difference between rated markets and those smaller than top 100.

The 1200 pound gorilla has done hopped off the Empire State Bldg. before the bi-planes and unwashed masses carrying torches could annoy them any more.

The next 5 years is going to be a challenge for the commercial radio industry.