Clear Channel plans to sell seven radio stations in Eau Claire area

Ran on Monday, June 11, 2007

Clear Channel plans to sell seven radio stations in Eau Claire area

By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff

Radio conglomerate Clear Channel is selling seven Eau Claire-area stations to Florida-based GoodRadio. However, seven is one too many, according to the Federal Communications Commission.Clear Channel was able to own seven stations in the market because they were grandfathered in when they bought a seventh station, WISM-FM (98.1, “The Mix”) in 2001. Rick Hencley, Clear Channel’s local general manager, said they are looking to sell all the stations to GoodRadio. They hope by the time the sale closes in the fourth quarter of the year the FCC will have changed its rules or allowed the sale of all seven, he said.Currently two stations, WISM and WQRB-FM (95.1, “B-95”) are placed in a trust to protect all seven and to comply with the rules of the sale.“Worst-case scenario,” Hencley said, “would be we would lose one station.”Which station would be lost is not yet determined. If one were to be dropped from the sale it would still exist but would have to be sold to an outside company. The other five Clear Channel stations to be sold to GoodRadio are WATQ-FM (106.7, “Moose Country”), WBIZ-FM (100.7, “Z-100”), WMEQ-FM (92.1, “Classic Rock 92.1”), WBIZ-AM (1400, “Sports Radio 1400”) and WMEQ-AM (880, “NewsTalk 880”).GoodRadio is buying many stations in Midwestern markets from San Antonio-based Clear Channel.Schmidt can be reached at 833-9203 or keighla.schmidt@ecpc.com.