Comments on: After appeal, Journal gets KNIN afterall

By: Idaho Radio Buff

Idaho Radio Buff — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:15:39 +0000

I wonder how much “write off” of the Boise signals value happened…
From Radio-Info:
Journal’s Q4 revenues for radio – down 7.8%.

In dollar terms, Journal Broadcast Group reports revenues falling from $21.4 million the previous year to $19.7 million. I told you there would be a major impairment charge, as groups like Journal Communications write down the market value of their licenses, and Journal’s was for $33.6 million for the 24 radio licenses. “Workforce reductions” accounted for another $100,000. That all weighed down on the earnings, creating an operating loss of $29.4 million. Without the non-cash writedowns, operating earnings would’ve been $4.3 million, down about 20%. And you can see that Doug Kiel’s cost-control maneuvers – like going to a single radio/TV GM in markets like Milwaukee and Omaha – were successful in reducing operating expenses by 3.4%. And in addition to the stuff I mentioned above – no 401(k) matches for the employee accounts, no more stock buybacks – Journal is freezing executive pay and isn’t handing out bonuses. Sounds like the individual radio markets of Tucson, Wichita and Springfield, Missouri fared better than the rest of the radio group (Boise, Knoxville, Omaha, Tulsa, Milwaukee). But it’s tough out there -

By: CJ

CJ — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:02:06 +0000

Dear “The”,

Bob R. has plenty of principles. He also has a job to keep.

By: The

The — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:34:08 +0000

Well, I hope you’re right about all that, Don. I’m just heartsick about what the greedy corporations have done to the broadcasting industry.

By: adam

adam — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:27:45 +0000

“Journal will own five radio stations and two TV stations”

Are they getting rid of a radio station? Last time I checked, Journal owned 6 radio stations in the Boise market.

Editor’s note: Um yeah… my error. That’s ten transmitters all together (with the TV analog and digital sticks).

By: RDS

RDS — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:09:27 +0000

Just a minor correction …. I’m not sure which one of Journal’s six (not five) radio stations got overlooked .. there are 4 FM’s (94.9 – River, 100.3 – X, 105.1 – J105, and 107.1 – Khits) and 2 AM’s (1140 KGEM and 1490 KCID).

By: Don@IdahoRadio

Don@IdahoRadio — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 07:37:55 +0000

So here’s an odd position for me to take: It’s probably a good deal for localism. People will lose their jobs in this transaction – without a doubt – and that, frankly… sucks. But KNIN – as documented to the FCC and apparent by watching the station – doesn’t do much in the way of localism. It is no different than any of 20 cable channels… and Journal has at very least shown that it is committed to local programming. KNIN will add a 30 minute newscast at 9pm (that will probably be identical to the KIVI 10pm show at first) and there are other opportunities as well.

Lost jobs: boo. Increased local content: yay. And on balance, Journal will own five radio stations and two TV stations… and in this market is still third in terms of overall reach for media companies.

By: Rainshadow

Rainshadow — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:26:03 +0000

Sales people need office space? Wow! What a concept!

By: The

The — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:08:00 +0000

“They are going to be like Fisher and farm it out to another city, like KBCI does with it’s Master Control operations.”

That’s called “localism” these days.

By: RadioActive

RadioActive — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 05:46:56 +0000

So goes the heart and soul of yet another broadcast property.

Will someone please drive a stake into the heart of the FCC license to at least allow it to die a somewhat merciful death…?

PS- I loved both your comments about the 10 by 10 and the 3 sales people….but sadly the 10 by 10 comment is way off… Lets try a laptop in the General Sales Managers office supply closet next to the paperclips and pencils….

By: The Shadow

The Shadow — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:09:46 +0000

A 10×10 closet is too much space. That’s an office for 3 sales people.

They are going to be like Fisher and farm it out to another city, like KBCI does with it’s Master Control operations.