Citadel Imus Close to Deal?

[David Tomm]

Citadel owns the ABC Radio Network--it was part of the deal along with  
the terrestrial stations they bought from Disney/ABC.  I would assume  
they would keep it in house and do it themselves.   They already  
distribute Hannity and a few other conservatalkers, so Imus would fit  
right in.

The question for me is, will the I-man land on WABC or WPLJ?  I would  
think he'd be a better fit on 770, and I'm sure he could outbill Curtis  
Sliwa in mornings.  While WPLJ does need a format change, I can't see  
him landing on 95.5.   He'd be battling for the same demos/audience  
that listens to WABC.  There's no synergy there.

As far as Boston goes, he won't land anywhere until the Howie Carr  
situation is settled.  If Entercom wins and keeps him from going to  
96.9, I think WTKK would bring Imus back.   If Howie gets his wish and  
moves to FM, it wouldn't surprise me to see WRKO dump or move the  
Speakah and replace him with Imus.  680 needs a talk host with some  
name recognition in a big way besides Rush, and Finneran just isn't  
cutting it.  Despite his baggage, Imus might be worth the gamble for  
WRKO.

-Dave Tomm
"Mike Thomas"


On Oct 3, 2007, at 3:23 PM, Bill O'Neill wrote:

> Neil Best at Newsday at  
> http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/ny- 
> spimus1003,0,799288,print.story
> says that the long-rumored Imus landing at a Citadel property may come  
> to fruition, e.g., WABC, WPLJ, etc. McCord would go with him (so  
> surprise) and perhaps McGuirk.
>
> Any ideas as to the likely syndicator?
>
> Bill O'Neill
>