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![\"image\"](\"http:\/\/streamingradioguide.com\/startingover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/image4-e1395469605307-225x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOne of the theoretical reasons behind the 1996 deregulation of Radio was larger operators (think Clear Channel) could operate up to 8 stations in a market (but no more than 5 AM or 5 FM). In smaller markets, the limits are lower.<\/p>\n
With one owner owning a lot of stations, they can share studios, production facilities, clerical staff, programming, on air talent (Bobby Joe on the Country station during morning drive may well be brother Ray on the hip hop station in the afternoon) – and maybe most important, sales people can approach advertisers and pitch ads on the basis ratings don’t matter since no matter what station they choose, they’ll hear your ads.<\/p>\n
In most markets, only one of the big three (Clear Channel, Cumulus, CBS) “owns” the market. The big guys avoid head to head competition. While Greater Media of Boston owns the heritage WBT-AM and the companion WLNK-FM, Charlotte is a CBS market. Cumulus and Clear Channel don’t own a single station.<\/p>\n
During my Lynx riding adventure, I noticed a CBS radio vehicle parked next to the shopping complex that adjoins the Lynx station and across the street from Time Warner arena.
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I found that curious – as I wandered through the shopping venue, I then stumbled onto this:<\/p>\n
![\"image\"](\"http:\/\/streamingradioguide.com\/startingover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/image5-300x225.jpg\")
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Behold – the CBS Cluster. A studio with a bulletproof window and no possibility of a car crashing through (see: WGN in Chicago)<\/p>\n
From left to right we have
\n– expanded AM band 1660 (WBCN) – CBS sports
\n– FM 103.7 WSOC Country
\n– AM 610 The Fan (WFNZ) – local sports
\n– Kiss 95.1 WNKS – CHR
\n– Power 98 WPEG – urban (licensed to Concord)
\n– V 101.9 WBAV – R&B – licensed to Gastonia
\n– K 104.7 – WKQC – Lite Rock<\/p>\n
So is this a good idea?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One of the theoretical reasons behind the 1996 deregulation of Radio was larger operators (think Clear Channel) could operate up to 8 stations in a market (but no more than 5 AM or 5 FM). In smaller markets, the limits … Continue reading