CBS could sell KDKA-AM and three FM's

[Force Commander]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 80558.html

[cgarison]

That is horribly shocking news. KDKA and KYW share a great deal of information and somewhat keep PA unified. Although that back woods part between the two cities on the ends of PA will never be integrated into the rest of the state.

[Force Commander]

from http://www.allaccess.com

When CBS CORP President & CEO LESLIE MOONVES dropped the bombshell that the company was looking at selling off 50 stations in mid-sized markets YESTERDAY (NET NEWS 7/31), the speculation began as to which stations and markets would be affected.

When contacted by ALL ACCESS, CBS was adamant that, "at present, there is not a specific list of stations/markets affected as the situation is fluid."

While not an official list, it's likely many or most of these would be part of that sell-off:

BALTIMORE (#21): AC WLIF, Hot AC WWMX, Classic Hits WQSR, Sports WJFK-A and Talk WHFS

CHARLOTTE (#25): Country WSOC, Urban, WPEG, Urban AC WBAV, Top 40 WNKS, AC WKQC and Sports WFNZ-A

CLEVELAND (#28): AC WDOK, Classic Rock WNCX, Hot AC WQAL and Alternative WKRK

DENVER (#22): Oldies KXKL, Hot AC KIMN and Country KWLI

HARTFORD (#50): News/Talk WTIC-A, AC WRCH, Top 40/R WZMX and Hot AC WTIC

LAS VEGAS (#33): Top 40/R KLUC, Talk KXNT-A, Hot AC KMXB, Alternative KXTE and Adult Hits KKJJ

ORLANDO (#34): Top 40/R WJMH, Hot AC WOMX and Classic Hits WOCL

PALM SPRINGS (#133): AC KEZN

PITTSBURGH (#24): News/Talk KDKA-A, Country WDSY, Top 40 WBZW and Hot AC WZPT

PORTLAND (#23): Country KUPL, AAA KINK, Active Rock KUFO and Classic Hits KLTH Talk KCMD-A

RIVERSIDE (#26): Country KFRG & KXFG

SACRAMENTO (#27): Country KNCI, AC KMYX, Top 40/R KSFM, Modern AC KZZO and Sports KHTK-A

ST. LOUIS (#20): KMOX-A, KEZK, and KYKY

VICTOR VALLEY, CA (#120): Adult Standard KRAK-A & Country KVFG-FM

WEST PALM BEACH (#46): Country WIRK, AC WEAT, Top 40/R WMBX, Urban WNEW and Alternative WPBZ

While this list adds up to 57 stations, and we're not expecting all of these station to be in play. ALL ACCESS is hearing that talks are already underway with potential buyers.

[Arp2]

On hearing this, my very first thought was, "when this is over, we're extremely likely to have had our perception of 'mid-sized market' completely changed."

Hartford has to be a goner...moderate size and no growth. Cleveland might as well go, and, if Cleveland goes, Pittsburgh almost has to go for the very same reasons. Baltimore's probably topped-out, and Portland's neo-Communist central planners have probably killed a lot of hope there.

There are image, growth, and/or "deduct the trip expenses" reasons to keep Palm Beach and Palm Springs. The California markets? Sacramento has that built-in "state capitol" virtual guarantee of growth, and Riverside is right in the midst of larger-market properties (if "synergies" actually exist anywhere, it's gotta be there).

The rest? Large and/or fast-growing markets....wow....I dunno. Who wouldn't want to be in Charlotte or Orlando or Denver or Las Vegas?

[AmpedNow]

I guess from a revenue perspective, more isn't always better. Having one KROQ is better than having 5 Cleveland K-Rocks, no?

I'd be surprised if they sold Vegas, considering the rapid growth there. It will be a top 20 market in 10-15 years.

[cgarison]

I'd be surprised if they sold Vegas, considering the rapid growth there. It will be a top 20 market in 10-15 years.

Currently Vegas is in the middle of a huge squeeze play. By the end of 2009, it is estimated that the strip will have 30% more rooms available for vacationers than what they have now. (Oh, for the sake of argument, now was really July 1, 2008.)

The big squeeze comes in with the airlines pulling back flights to Vegas at an alarming rate. Currently, flights to McCarran in Las Vegas have been cut by airline by 20% since the first of June and will be reduced by another 25% over the next 5 months.

So what happens when the supply of hotel rooms increase and the number of flights to Las Vegas decrease????

And now you wonder why CBS wants out of this market.

[AmpedNow]

The mad expansion in Vegas is contracting now, but it won't last forever. People and businesses are still leaving the Socialist Republic of Cal-e-fornya in droves and relocating "across the border" in Vegas. Even if the growth rate isn't what it has been, it's still net positive.

Vacationers and travel will pick up when the economy does.

Selling Vegas would be stupid and very short-sighted IMO.

[cgarison]

The part that makes Vegas awesome is the fact that it can swallow 3 major conventions a week and still have room for a half dozen mini-conferences. And those mini conferences could be the size of a week long event at the Javits Center in NYC. Vegas is so insanely huge that I cannot imagine it.

Example, the Venetian Hotel has more rooms than the entire city of Venice. Now add the Venzia and Palazzo which are part of the same complex and things just lose perspective.

I dread going to CUE next year in San Diego because the Hilton is a tiny fraction of the size of the Sands Expo Center. Hell with the event being in mid April, I might just take another Western Caribbean cruise.