Inside Music MediaJerry Del Colliano

Summary

• With Cox Media Group announcing the sale of its TV assets, there is no longer any synergistic reason to keep radio.
• Which radio groups or investor is most motivated to make an offer to buy some or all of the Cox radio properties.
• Why this is the worst time for Cox radio to be in play for groups that desperately need their stations more than ever.

Cox has no reason to keep its 60 plus radio outlets when it sells its TV stations as the company announced it would do yesterday.

Either a sale or a merger, but a sale is most likely.

Perhaps to the dreaded Sinclair or to Tribune to make it Sinclair-proof going forward.

Cox radio stations are highly desirable because unlike other radio groups, Cox knows how to super monetize them.  They hire outstanding people and their stations are well managed.

There are a number of radio groups that would like to cherry pick the Cox radio roster and one potential stealth buyer who could buy the entire radio group.

Because even purchasing Cox radio does not make another iHeart or Entercom for an existing radio group but the companies nibbling at some Cox stations are looking to grow more than dominate.

And look what happened when Beasley bought back WXTU-FM, Philadelphia at very high multiples.

Their stock tanked because they will have to issue more stock and dilute current shareholder’s value. Since Monday Beasley stock has dropped from the $9 range to the $7 range.  Does that leave Beasley out of the Cox radio sweepstakes?

Nevertheless, there is a surprising group of suitors who will find the money if they can pry some Cox stations away. 

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