The Unspoken Threat of Christian Music Formats

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  • Do commercial radio companies now have something else to worry about as Christian music stations are amassing larger audiences.
  • EMF bought all those distressed radio stations for pennies on the dollar, now look at their plan to compete with commercial broadcasters.
  • Jesus takes the dial but commercial broadcasters answer to a higher power.
  • The real threats of EMF Christian music formats to their competitors.
  • The way to beat non-coms at their own game.

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Non-Radio Buyers for Audacy?

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  • Interest in buying Audacy out of bankruptcy reportedly amps up.
  • One anxious buyer has done business with David Field.
  • A foreign investor reportedly pursuing it under the radar.
  • What it would take for lenders-turned new owners to flip Audacy.
  • Why the sudden burst of interest in buying other distressed radio groups – we name a few companies.

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Why iHeart Is Consolidating Sales

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  • You know those big ad buys iHeart likes to do to keep money away from competitors, look how this affects that.
  • Sales consolidation’s impact on local radio stations.
  • If you’re an iHeart competitor, this is what their new sales consolidation means to you.
  • What happened to their programmatic buying push – you’ll be glad you asked.

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Changes Expected Under Audacy’s New Owners

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  • First things first – the things the new owners burned in bankruptcy are champing at the bit to carry out.
  • During year one some unexpected changes (remembering that these new owners never ran even one radio station).
  • Down the line some expected and unexpected moves that they gave themselves the power to do in the bankruptcy pre-packaged agreement.
  • Reading the new owner’s digital intentions.
  • What I’m hearing about a company reportedly looking at buying all or part of Audacy.

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The Next 3 Bankruptcies

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  • The identity of the next 3 radio groups to file for bankruptcy.
  • Apollo is the largest private equity owner of radio and their investments are in trouble – why?
  • How private equity sees the future of radio ownership from their perspective.
  • A litmus test for whether now is the best time to buy a highly-discounted radio station.
  • What happens when iHeart, Cumulus and even Audacy file second bankruptcies which are being predicted.

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The Audacy Retention Bonuses

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  • This is what motivated Audacy to shell out $1.3 million in retention bonuses to people going absolutely nowhere.
  • But here’s the company’s claw back clause which is rarely noticed.
  • Why Audacy is increasingly skittish about the pre-packaged bankruptcy going through.
  • What could happen next if it doesn’t – and yes, these types of deals tend to blow at the last minute.
  • Audacy’s zero tolerance policy on bankruptcy talk.

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The Dissolution of Cox Media Group

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  • What is making private equity owner Apollo jittery about its $1 plus billion Cox Media Group investment.
  • Their plans for the Cox radio stations that have yet to be sold.
  • What a mishap this big means to Apollo’s bottom line.
  • The exit strategy detailed.
  • If you’re interested in cherry picking CMG while it’s down, one piece of advice.

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Competing Against Bankrupt Operators

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  • Three weaknesses to exploit against iHeart, Cumulus and soon, Audacy.
  • Something is developing with the available radio audience – this pins it down.
  • Nielsen ratings doesn’t just underreport young listeners – how they force radio to make avoidable programming mistakes because of it.
  • Is repetition still important to grow radio ratings in a digital world of endless discovery?
  • The new low range demographic for today’s radio listener.

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Audacy’s Confidential New Startup

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  • I was given the opportunity to view the post-bankruptcy plan Audacy is selling to the bankruptcy court – sample some of their most audacious promises.
  • One promise: a startup that will make $20 million – details.
  • What they are telling a judge about their ability to grow radio spot and network revenue by 2027.
  • After underachieving podcasting for years, here’s their projected performance.
  • The chance this harmless Chapter 11 filing will be converted to a Chapter 7 liquidation.

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Shutting Down Unprofitable Stations

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  • How iHeart, Cumulus and Townsquare are increasingly pulling the plug as a reality of doing business.
  • Why don’t they just sell them for whatever they can get?
  • Could Audacy’s new owners be hot to shut down some stations costing them too much money to bother?
  • The reason AM stations are targeted the most, but these kinds of FMs aren’t safe.
  • The two reasons that forced owners’ hands.
  • These markets are off limits – period.

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Audacy’s New CEO

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  • What’s the status of Dan Mason returning as a board member to choose the new CEO – still interested?
  • A possible sleeper candidate not to be dismissed.
  • Is it a done deal with David Field getting kicked to the board?
  • Here’s how to tell whether the lenders-turned owners are serious about fixing Audacy or gutting the company.

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The New Audacy

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  • The Turnaround Plan revealed -- what Audacy is promising the bankruptcy courts in their words – I wish I could see your reaction through your phone when you read it.
  • Are they really considering letting David Field get another bite of the apple?
  • And let’s get down to it – what will happen to COO Susan Larkin and digital chief J.D. Crowley after February or March when the reorganization takes effect.
  • The new lenders-turned owners’ position on layoffs and cost cuts.

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Audacy Fails to Dump Enough Debt

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  • As incredible as it may seem -- why the drop from $1.9 billion to $350 million in debt will still not be enough.
  • Audacy’s big mistake in their bankruptcy filing that poses a problem even when they emerge.
  • Why their newly converted equity will continue to decline in value risking another default on the reinstated debt.
  • The impact of programmatic buying when interest on their $350 million loan needs to be repaid.
  • Red flag for the 3 radio groups that will be filing for bankruptcy next – don’t make these mistakes that Cumulus, iHeart and now Audacy made to avoid being a “zombie” company.

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Audacy Asset Sales Coming Next

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  • Bye, bye 1010 WINS and a group of other stations – the new owner’s aggressive sales plan.
  • But not FM stations, right?
  • The first indication that they plan to do a Cumulus-type WPLJ selloff of properties – and most importantly, the timetable.
  • What’s not for sale – that’s a good question, but there is a good answer.
  • What happens to podcasting and digital beyond what the outgoing Field regime is publicly saying.
  • A new CEO is coming -- look at what scorched lenders actually got Field to insert in the pre-pack agreement to guarantee it.
  • How the first-tier lenders rammed language down David Field’s throat to make him sing for his supper.
  • This is a real bankruptcy despite the fact that it is agreed to – Audacy already needs a $57 million loan to hold it over just until the court and FCC approve the bankruptcy – details.

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Bankruptcy Details Audacy Is Still Hiding

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  • David Field, his father, Weezie Kramer and Joel Hollander are on the board of the sunsetting company – what the lenders-turned owners are going to do that will totally shake up Audacy.
  • What happens to Audacy stock worth 20 cents before Sunday’s bankruptcy filing.
  • Why are they “judge shopping” – Audacy filed for bankruptcy in Texas (they’re headquartered in Philly).
  • Field is talking “business as usual” as if he’s going to remain as CEO – what he’s not saying (at least publicly).
  • If this bankruptcy gets approved it wipes out almost all of Audacy’s debt -- will that be enough?
  • Audacy is talking like a pre-packaged bankruptcy is a slam-dunk – what could go wrong.

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The Return of Dan Mason to Audacy?

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  • Is Dan even interested? I asked him.
  • What position makes the most sense for the person who once cleaned up after Joel Hollander previously at CBS Radio.
  • What about Hollander (current Audacy Lead Independent Director), is he out with the new owners or does he get a second chance.
  • And a third executive who may take a run at David Field’s job as CEO.
  • The lenders become the new owners within weeks – usually (as per the Cumulus bankruptcy) they replace the board and start selling off assets – will the new Audacy follow that plan.
  • Attention Audacy: Here’s what Mason would likely do to turn the company around.

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New Owners for Audacy – What We Know

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  • The Audacy bankruptcy is a done deal – a preview.
  • The lenders get the company but does CEO David Field get to keep his job after that hot mess – details.
  • How the new company will somehow emerge with half its debt gone – why couldn’t Field do this?
  • The final decision on laying off more people under new ownership.
  • Survivors will get this take it or leave it offer.
  • The good news is that the implosion of Entercom/CBS/Audacy finally ends in the very near future – the bad news is …

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