8-7-14
So who you going to take, ABC or CNN? That will be the question over the next five months, as the fight for affiliates begins, now that ABC has announced, as of January, Westwood One would no longer distribute its product. It appears executives from Westwood One and Cumulus were caught off guard by the announcement from ABC yesterday. And hours after ABC went public, Westwood sent an "Important Affiliate News Advisory," to stations. In part it said, "As the leading provider of network news and information, Westwood One is now proud to be able to offer affiliates the following News services: CBS Radio News, NBC News Radio, Westwood One White Label News powered by CNN. Notice anything missing? But wait, there's more...
In addition to ABC being left off the note to affiliates, the Westwood Customer Service Department advisory also said, all in caps, "FOR THE BENEFIT OF YOUR STATION, PROGRAMMING AND BUSINESS, PLEASE DO NOT SIGN ANY NEWS AFFILIATION AGREEMENT UNTIL WE HAVE A CHANCE TO PRESENT OUR BENEFICIAL RENEWAL PROPOSAL TO YOU." Below is a copy of the entire e-mail sent to stations yesterday.
Important Affiliate News Advisory
Stations, as you've heard from us and read in the trade press, Westwood One is proud to be launching a new news network powered by CNN at the end of this year.
This product is designed to fully integrate into your station and local programming and will bring you the world-wide news gathering resources of CNN and Westwood One. We are excited to offer this premium news product to deliver credible and compelling content in a format that will allows you to promote your station's brand as
THE destination for news and information in your market!
As the leading provider of network news and information, Westwood One is now proud to be able to offer affiliates the following News services:
*CBS Radio News
*NBC News Radio
*Westwood One White Label News powered by CNN
Your affiliate representative will be contacting you to renew your news affiliation with us. For those stations receiving their product via the XDS receiver, our new service powered by CNN will be delivered to you seamlessly, without any technical action needed on your part.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF YOUR STATION, PROGRAMMING AND BUSINESS, PLEASE DO NOT SIGN ANY NEWS AFFILIATION AGREEMENT UNTIL WE HAVE A CHANCE TO PRESENT OUR BENEFICIAL RENEWAL PROPOSAL TO YOU.
Thank you for your continued affiliation with Westwood One and we look forward to speaking with you.
Customer Service
Westwood One
220 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036
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