NYC's Oldest Station Sold

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NYC's Oldest Station Sold

Postby jon » Tue Aug 14, 2012 7:26 am

Change of tune for talk radio’s WOR-AM
By CLAIRE ATKINSON
New York Post
Last Updated: 1:21 AM, August 14, 2012
Posted: 12:56 AM, August 14, 2012

The sale of New York’s oldest radio station, WOR (710 AM), is a signal to listeners that big changes are in store.

Yesterday, radio giant Clear Channel snapped up the conservative news talk station — home to morning-show host John Gambling — and set tongues wagging over whether the new owners would overhaul the format or personalities.

Industry watchers speculated that Clear Channel could air popular syndicated talk-show hosts like Rush Limbaugh or pursue a broadcast deal for Yankees games.

Clear Channel — the owner of Premiere Radio Networks, which syndicates Glenn Beck and Limbaugh — now counts six station in the Big Apple. WOR is Clear Channel’s first station on the AM dial.

In New York, WOR ranks as the 19th biggest station with $15.6 million in revenue and 2.7 percent of the local radio market, according to BIA/Kelsey, a consulting firm that specializes in local media.

John Hogan, chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, told The Post that he aimed to push all of the company’s stations into the top six slots.

While Hogan declined to discuss changes, he hinted that a push for sports radio rights could be in the cards.

“The Yankees radio rights come up next year, so do the New York Jets and there are others,” Hogan said. “If you look around on other news talk stations, sports can be a component.

“Part of the New York opportunity is that it allows us to think about the entire cluster, think about promo power of five radio stations plus WOR,” he added. “That’s a really compelling package for sports players and advertisers.”

The station was established in 1922 as a promotional effort to sell radios at the Bamberger’s Department Store.

Clear Channel’s other New York stations include 103.5 KTU, Q104.3, Z100, 106.7 Lite FM and Power 105.1.
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