Re: Boston Globe Online / Sports / WWZN cuts staff and programming

[Dan.Strassberg@att.net]

Ok, compared with the other two 50 kW-U Class B AMs in the market (WRKO, WEEI), 
WWZN does not have the signal coverage--particularly at night. But WWZN's 50-kW 
night signal is better than that of WROL and certainly better than that of WBIX 
(which so far, doesn't operate at night). Both WROL and WBIX are technically 
daytimers--Class D AMs--and have changed hands within the last couple of years 
for reported prices of $11 million. (I know--the WBIX deal was for $1 million 
down and a $10-million note, which may or may not ever be paid off, but it was 
still officially an $11-million sale.)

WWZN's biggest drawback is the lease on its transmitter site, which eats the 
first $20,000 or $25,000 of monthly revenue. (If revenues don't cover that nut, 
the owner has to do so or the station will go dark, rendering the license 
worthless.) Still, the prime candidate to buy the station would appear to be 
Disney-ABC. Aside from the $84-million purchase of WEVD (now WEPN) in New York, 
I'm unaware of The Mouse purchasing other affiliates for ESPN Radio lately, but 
despite poor profits and a depressed stock price, the company goes on spending 
$$$ on AMs for Radio Disney. Disney already owns WMKI 1260, so the purchase of 
a Radio Disney affiliate is not an issue in Boston. I suspect, however, that 
ABC could justify a purchase of WWZN for price north of $11 million. If that 
happens, does anyone want to take bets on how long ESPN Radio will stay afloat?

--
dan.strassberg@att.net
617-558-4205
eFax 707-215-6367

> Their NY station based in Newark is now running Russian programming but 
> I don't see that as an option here ( or any other language )  Salem 
> might be interested but as a major discount. Disney at a huge discount 
> "might" want to look at it to make an ESPN Boston and combine operations 
> with Radio Disney. The reality is the options are limited and they will 
> take a major bath on any sale.