Bids Due For Charles River Group

[David Tomm]

I could be wrong, but didn't the FCC relax the cross-ownership rules 
for companies holding both radio and television interests not too long 
ago?  Infinity only has 5 signals (4FM's and WBZ)  because they also 
owned WBZ-TV and WSBK.  If the rules were indeed loosened, they may be 
able to squeeze another FM into their portfolio.  Also, the radio 
division of Viacom was recently separated into it's own separate 
company (the new Infinity.)  In the eyes of the FCC, Infinity with the 
radio properties and Viacom with the TV stations may now be considered 
separate entities, allowing for Infinity to add WCRB.

So is Greater Media.   5 FM's in a major market is the maximum one 
company can hold.  They would have to spin off an existing FM to come 
into compliance.  None of their signals are real dogs (signals, not 
formats) so I can't see them overpaying for WCRB just to spin off 
another property for much less.

Entercom is probably bidding as well, since both of their FM signals 
are suburban rimshotters.   They would also be the only company out of 
the big four in town with any interest in Charles River's Cape Cod and 
Rhode Island stations.  However, they are also trying to acquire the 
ABC stations right now so they may not have the capital to outbid the 
other heavy hitters for WCRB.

Clear Channel  would love to add another FM to it's cluster, and they 
have the resources to make a competitive bid.  With Kiss, WJMN, and a 
soon to be 50K WKOX, adding WCRB would put them on par with the other 
operators in town.  Out of the four, I think they have the best shot to 
land 102.5--if Charles River is indeed serious about selling.

--Dave Tomm
"Mike Thomas"



On Dec 2, 2005, at 10:52 PM, Ron Bello wrote:

> At 10:24 PM 12/2/2005, you wrote:
>> Informed anonymous sources told Billboard Radio Monitor bids for the 
>> Charles River Broadcasting group were due by the close of business 
>> today. No immediate action is expected on the bids.  Word in a "Few 
>> Weeks" is an educated guess.
>>
>> Billboard's Monitor estimates WCRB could fetch as much as $100 
>> million.
>>
>> Greater Media, Infinity, Clear Channel and Entercom were expected to 
>> deliver bids.
>>
>> No word on out-of-market bidders.
>
>
> Didn't Infinity have to sell Boston stations when they bought American 
> Radio ?
> Thought they were at the ownership limit.
>
>