Cox Exiting Greenville?

[tylerSC]

It is somewhat disappointing that Cox is leaving Greenville, as recently they are doing some interesting programming with their translators, such as Chuck FM and the soon speculated talk station. I wonder if those translators will remain? And in neighboring Charlotte, they own the top rated WSOC-TV Channel 9 television station, but they sold their country music station WSOC-FM 103 a number of years ago, to CBS Radio. I wonder if CBS would consider buying the Cox stations here?

[Kent]

Actually, Cox sold their Charlotte station to EZ Communications.  It was a swap of WSOC to EZ for EZ's WHQT in Miami.  CBS only entered the picture after American Radio Systems bought EZ only to turn around and sell to CBS a year or two later.

[carolinaradio]

It is somewhat disappointing that Cox is leaving Greenville, as recently they are doing some interesting programming with their translators, such as Chuck FM and the soon speculated talk station. I wonder if those translators will remain? And in neighboring Charlotte, they own the top rated WSOC-TV Channel 9 television station, but they sold their country music station WSOC-FM 103 a number of years ago, to CBS Radio. I wonder if CBS would consider buying the Cox stations here?

Seeing what they've put in to the translators, and that one already has a good following, I don't see why a potential buyer would get rid of them as long as they don't mind leasing them (not sure why Cox didn't just buy them).  Everything's already set up.  Chuck is probably generating some decent pocket change, they do nothing but add value to the two main signals.  I have lower expectations in the long term, though, for the speculated talk station once Cox gets out of the picture.

I highly doubt CBS would be interested in Greenville.  They've spent the last decade moving out of medium-sized markets and focusing on large ones.

[GordonSims]

Why did Cox announce this without buyers?  That is very odd.  Usually these deals are done very quietly with a big announcement when it's all done.  Does this signal Cox struck out with big companies and are showing a willingness to parcel these signals out individually?

That was my initial thought.

[carolinaradio]

They haven't expanded in a long time, but I wonder if Saga would be interested in some of the properties.  They have a few stations in Asheville.

[CrazeeCarroll1]

Maybe Saga or Town Square would wanna give it a go... CC1

[KyleAndMelissa22]

Maybe Saga or Town Square would wanna give it a go... CC1

Maybe Greater Media could expand somewhat. They could have a talk station (on 98.5) like whats on WBT.
I'm for either Greater Media or CC buying the Greenville stations. 

[tylerSC]

Well I was looking forward to Neal Boortz and Clark Howard on 98.5 if the predicted Cox talk translator comes to pass. And they would probably carry Sean Hannity as well. But from Greater Media, I like Bob and Sheri on 107.9 and Brad and Britt on 99.3 WBT.

[carolinaradio]

A talk station could still carry Neal Boortz (who is retiring soon) or Clark Howard if they wanted to.  Hannity is on WORD weeknights 8-11.  I just have very low expectations for it once Cox gets out of the picture.

Personally, I wish Hot 98.1 would transition to at least a rhythmic leaning CHR instead of full Rhythmic CHR (that seems exceptionally rap heavy).  Rhythmic CHR isn't a huge format right now anyway.  It would be really nice to have an alternative to B93.7.

[awp69]

Personally, I wish Hot 98.1 would transition to at least a rhythmic leaning CHR instead of full Rhythmic CHR (that seems exceptionally rap heavy).  Rhythmic CHR isn't a huge format right now anyway.  It would be really nice to have an alternative to B93.7.

I wouldn't mind that just so that B93.7 may be a more rock-friendly CHR.