Entercom
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| Type | Public (NYSE: ETM) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Advertising |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Headquarters | Bala Cynwyd, PA |
| Key people | David Field, President & CEO |
| Products | Radio |
| Website | www.entercom.com |
Entercom Communications Corporation (NYSE: ETM) is the fourth-largest broadcasting company in the United States[1]. As of November 2009, Entercom operates 110 radio stations in 23 markets across the United States.
The company was once called Entertainment Communications; its current name is a partially redundant portmanteau of its former title.
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[edit] Purchase Attempts
[edit] Buyout of CBS Radio stations in Slow Markets
On August 21, 2006; Entercom agreed to buy 15 radio stations in slower markets from CBS Radio. Locations included Austin, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio; Memphis, Tennessee; and Rochester, New York.[2] However, due to ownership limitations set by the Federal Communications Commission, Entercom had to sell off 3 of its radio stations in the Rochester market to Stephens Media Group.[3] After its purchases in the Cincinnati market, the company quickly sold its stations to Bonneville Broadcasting and Cumulus Media and exited the market.
CBS Radio has announced that it would sell 50 more radio stations in 12 markets to focus on major market stations and as of September 22, 2008; Entercom is (again) among the seven candidates to make first-round bids.[4] However, as of early 2009, the company has yet to announce any acquisitions of these stations.
[edit] ABC Radio
Entercom was one of 4 broadcasting companies in a bid to buy The Walt Disney Company's ABC Radio unit,[5] but was outbid by its competitor Citadel Broadcasting. Had Entercom gone through as the highest bidder, it would have had to sell off some of its small market holdings.
It was reported that Entercom attempted to purchase Citadel Broadcasting in February 2011, but lost to Cumulus Media.[6]
[edit] Radio on Smartphones
Entercom teamed up with Lancaster-based FlyTunes on July 1, 2008 to make their stations available on smartphones such as Apple, Inc.'s iPhone. After it was announced that the deal was finalized that day, stations in the San Francisco and Seattle clusters were the first to air broadcasts for area smartphone customers. The rest of the stations in Entercom's portfolio are now available throughout the United States since September 2008.[7]
[edit] Water-death Controversy
On January 12, 2007; Sacramento area Entercom-owned station KDND hosted a water-drinking contest promoted as "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" that promised the popular Nintendo video game console to whoever could drink the most water without urinating or vomiting. That same day, a contestant named Jennifer Strange died as a result of acute water intoxication in participating the event. Although no criminal charges were filed, the surviving family members of Jennifer Strange filed a wrongful death suit, holding Entercom Corp.'s Sacramento subsidiary responsible for her death. On October 29, 2009; a Sacramento Superior Court jury awarded the Strange Family $16.57 million.[8]
[edit] Syndicated Programs
Entercom syndicated some of its programming in the late 2000s. Programming syndicated by Entercom included:
- The Howie Carr Show - Talk radio - Hosted by Howie Carr, syndicated only in New England
- Your Time with Kim Iverson - Adult contemporary music and women's lifestyle - now handled by United Stations Radio Network.
- The 2nd Shift with Alan Kabel - country music - discontinued.
- WEEI Radio Network - Flagship station WEEI in Boston and currently 7 other affiliates across New England. Still active.
- Sabres Hockey Network - sports radio - acquired 2004. Syndicated Mike Schopp and Chris "Bulldog" Parker to two stations from 2008 to 2011.
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
- ^ Entercom Communications Corp. Announces Exchange Offer for 101/2% Senior Notes due 2019 - The Wall Street Journal (retrieved January 4, 2012)
- ^ Entercom to Buy CBS Radio Stations - AllBusiness.com (August 21, 2006)
- ^ Entercom Sells Three In Rochester, NY - Radio Ink (May 1, 2008)
- ^ CBS Kicks Off Radio Station Auction - New York Post (retrieved September 22, 2008)
- ^ Source: Citadel, Entercom Final Bidders For ABC Radio allbusiness.com (December 6, 2005)
- ^ Call Him Big Lew Now. Dickey Closes The Deal With Farid
- ^ FlyTunes partners with first traditional radio group - Central Penn Business Journal (retrieved July 1, 2008)
- ^ Jury awards $16.57 million to radio contestant's survivors - The Sacramento Bee (released October 29, 2009)
[edit] External links
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