How big is Clear Channel Communications?
This big: 1,171 stations in 191 markets and revenues last year of $3.5 billion. Yes, billion.
“Investing in Radio,” a recent report from BIA Financial Network that looked at 297 markets, confirms that Clear Channel, based in San Antonio, Texas, is the King Kong of the radio jungle. Revenue runner-up is CBS Radio at $2.2 billion.
In Denver, CC owns eight stations: KHOW 630-AM, KKZN 760-AM, KOA 850-AM, KTCL 93.3-FM, KMGG 95.7-FM, KBCO 97.3-FM, KRFX 103.5-FM and KBPI 106.7-FM. If you have a radio, you’re probably listening to one of their stations.
Clear Channel, a worldwide media monster with stakes in outdoor advertising, real estate, television and concert promotion, has had its share of controversy, battling recording artists over airplay and local concert promotions. Despite Clear Channel’s enormous numbers, BIA is advising investors to be cautious with radio in the coming year. “Clear Channel … and the country’s other top 25 radio groups are not expected to experience revenue increases beyond 2.3 percent in 2006.”
But, said BIA vice president Mark R. Fratrik in the report, “Radio is by no means a dying medium; it just has challenges.”
Among the challenges are new technologies like iPods and the Internet attracting increasing devotees, especially younger listeners. Fratrik believes stations have to expand multicasting, change formats and establish promotions with local music venues to regain audiences.
There are exceptions to the tightening revenue stream, says the report, citing midsize cities, including Phoenix, where revenues are expected to climb 8 percent; Tulsa, Okla.; Lafayette, La.; and Augusta, Ga.
Expect changes. “CBS Radio’s recent announcement that it will be exiting 10 markets might be the most obvious illustration that some radio groups are re-evaluating their assets and that 2006 may prove a year of transition,” Fratrik said.
Around the dial
The 9Cares Colorado Shares food fundraiser by KUSA-Channel 9 gathered a record 59,068 pounds of donations over the weekend. It will be distributed to area food banks by the COMPA Food Bank Ministry … An avid rider himself, host Peter Boyles takes on the issue of motorcycle safety on his “Colorado Inside Out Live” (8 p.m. Wednesday, KBDI-Channel 12) … Filmmaker Brian Malone will attend the screening of his documentary “Breaking News” at 7 p.m. Thursday at Starz FilmCenter at the Tivoli. Tickets at the door … Play it again: Geoff Ogilvy’s sudden and unexpected victory over Phil Mickelson at the U.S. Open gets a second showing (7 tonight, The Golf Channel, Comcast cable channel 69). … Quotable: “Imagine if bloggers weren’t around, if talk radio wasn’t around, or other sources of information weren’t available.” Laura Ingraham
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-820-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com.
