Journal Gives Radio Signs of Revenue Life

10-30-14

It's the best radio quarter reported to Wall Street so far and the second consecutive quarter of growth for the company. Journal is also the first group not to complain about the slow drip of political revenue. The company - which also owns TV and print - reported radio revenue increased to $21.6 million, a jump of 5.1 percent. Local made up 3.3 percent of the increase in the quarter, with $800,000 coming from local digital revenue. Automotive and medical advertising were both strong categories for the company in the quarter, and Journal took in $400,000 in political advertising for radio with another $3.9 million spent on its television stations. Year-to-date Journal has written $6.6 Million in political business with another $11 Million on the books.

National advertising revenue, excluding political, decreased 1.6 percent and that was good news to Journal executives. In Q1 national was down 18 percent. The company expects Q4 to be up in the low-single digits. Journal has 35 radio stations in 11 states in addition to television and print properties. Earlier this year, Journal announced it would be merging broadcast operations with the E.W. Scripps Company and spin off and then merge their newspapers, creating two separately traded public companies.

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Journal Radio Up 1.6% In Q2

8-7-14

Overall, Journal Communications grew revenue nearly 5 percent to $105 million. Here's how each division in the company finished for the quarter: Television revenue of $46.9 million was up 12.8 percent; television retransmission revenue of $9.8 million was up 80.7 percent; radio revenue of $20.2 million increased 1.6 percent; and digital revenue of $5.4 million was up 10.0 percent.  

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Journal Taps Clark for Tucson

7-1-14

Leon Clark has been named Vice President and General Manager of Journal Broadcast Group?s Tucson radio operations, which include KMXZ-FM, KQTH-FM, KTGV-FM and KFFN-AM. Clark will start next Monday. Most recently, Clark was sales manager at Tunein. He has also served as sales manager for CBS in Atlanta, Emmis in New York and CBS in San Diego. He was station manager for Radio One in Boston in 2000. Clark starts next Monday.

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Journal: CBS Looks to Buy Univision

6-13-14

The owners of Univision Communications are looking for a buyer and the Wall Street Journal says CBS has had preliminary discussions about a purchase. Univision owns both TV and 68 Radio stations. Univision is controlled by several investors including billionaire Haim Saban and the Journal reports the group wants $20 Billion for the company which it purchased for $13.7 Billion back in 2007. It was expected that Univision would go public in 2015. In 2013, Univision Radio generated nearly $330 million in revenue, and produced $110 million in operating income.

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Journal Radio Revenue Declines 4%

4-29-14

For the first quarter, revenue from Journal's radio properties decreased 4 percent to $15.2 million. The company says local ad revenue, excluding political, decreased 3.2 percent primarily due to a decrease in restaurant and financial advertising. Digital revenue, which is reported in local revenue, increased $600,000 (7.8%). National advertising revenue, excluding political, decreased 18.0 percent, primarily due to a decrease in automotive and financial advertising. Total revenue, excluding political revenue, was $15.1 million, down 4.2 percent. The company expects revenue in the second quarter to increase in the low-single digits.

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Journal Communications Introduces New Brand

3-11-14

Journal Communications Inc., today launched a new company brand with three new logos representing Journal Communications and its two major business segments, Journal Broadcast Group and Journal Publishing. As part of the new brand, the company also launched a fully redesigned corporate website at www.journalcommunications.com. Seen here is the new Journal Broadcast Group logo.

"When we look at our company, we see quality, focus and effective teams in our local markets -- all part of a business that is moving forward," Journal Chairman/CEO Steven J. Smith said. "However, many people outside of Journal often have no idea that, in addition to their favorite local station or publication, we have a total of 13 television stations, 35 radio stations, and a major daily newspaper with a variety of supporting local publications, all with complementary digital products."

Journal President/COO Andre Fernandez added, "As we continue to expand our offerings and find new ways to deliver our content online, on the air and in print, we are excited about our new brand and the future of our company. We hope our clients, employees, and local markets share our excitement."

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Langmyer To Run In Milwaukee For Journal

1-29-14

Tom Langmyer is now the VP/GM of Journal's Milwaukee cluster which includes WTMJ-AM and WLWK-FM. The announcement was made today by Journal Executive Vice President, Radio, Steve Wexler, who was recently named to his current role and is stepping away from his day-to-day general manager role to focus on Journal?s 35-station radio division. Langmyer will continue to support Journal?s spoken-word stations as vice president of News/Talk programming.

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Journal Gets Digital Aggressive

1-30-14

Looking to garner more revenue from its digital properties, Journal has signed a deal with Internet Broadcasting Systems. IB will help Journal streamline digital ad operations capabilities by performing ad trafficking while also delivering digital ads to Journal stations. The deal includes Journal's 35 radio stations and 13 TV stations. IB CEO Elmer Baldwin says, "Aggressive goals can only be reached by collaborating with aggressive partners. We are thrilled that Journal has chosen to partner with us, and excited to help them achieve their digital sales goals in 2014 and beyond."

Journal VP of Interactive Media Michael Gay said, "With this partnership we combine the strength of Journal Broadcast Group's local digital platforms with the digital sales expertise and infrastructure of Internet Broadcasting. Providing our local advertisers with these new digital capabilities shows our commitment to supporting the growth of local businesses with our company's powerful local media platforms."

Along with its digital publishing platform and content solutions, IB provides a digital agency solution for sales operations and campaign creative. IB delivered nearly 30,000 campaigns in 2013. In addition, the agency provides full transparency of ad performance and ROI metrics, allowing partners to assess each ad campaign they run.

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Gann Leaves Journal For Clear Channel

1-18-14

Brian Gann will move from Tulsa to San Antonio where he will program WOAI and KTKR for Clear Channel. Gann was with Journal Broadcast Group in Tulsa, OK, where he served as the Operations Manager for KVOO, KFAQ, KXBL, KHTT, and KBEZ. Gann said, ?I am excited to have the opportunity to help lead WOAI and Ticket 760. There is a terrific team in place and I am honored to be able to join them.?

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Journal Radio Revenue Jumps 3.5%

10-31-13

In Q3, Journal Communications reported its 35 radio stations increased revenue 3.5 percent to $20.6 million. When political comps from 2012 are backed out, the increase is 4.9 percent. Local ad revenue increased 4.3 percent, primarily due to increases in professional services, retail, and medical advertising. National advertising was down 4.9 percent, mostly due to declines in media, professional services, and restaurant advertising.

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Vowinkle New Journal GSM In Omaha

8-14-13

Scott Vowinkle has joined the Journal Broadcast Group-Omaha Operations as General Sales Manager. Vowinkle has served as vice president of business development for the Radio Advertising Bureau and as vice president and general manager for the Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation. Most recently, he was regional sales director for ApartmentGuide.com.

In Omaha, Journal Broadcast Group also owns Star 104.5 KSRZ-FM and Channel 94.1 FM KQCH-FM, as well as CBS-affiliate KMTV. Vowinkle will be sharing management responsibilities for Journal Broadcast Group?s Omaha radio cluster with General Sales Manager Kris Chistiansen, devoting his primary focus to leading the sales efforts of Z-92 (KEZO-FM), CD105.9 (KKCD-FM), and AM-590 ESPN (KXSP-AM).

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Winchell New GSM For Journal in Wichita

8-8-13

Scott Winchell moves to Journal from Clear Channel Birmingham where he was GSM. Winchell joined Clear Channel in 2003 in Nashville as an AE. His time in Nashville led to sales management positions with WUBT-FM, WNRQ-FM, WLAC and the leadership of the Nashville cluster?s digital sales. He also spent time as a GSM for Clear Channel in Charlotte before moving to Birmingham in 2010.

Winchell said, ?Journal Broadcast Group has an incredible reputation and track record in our industry, and in the communities it serves. I am honored and ecstatic to be joining up with Eric and the entire highly talented Wichita Operations team. I find it exhilarating to have the opportunity to make a difference in Kansas. Wichita is a great Midwestern city, and it will be nice to be back in the area.?

Journal Wichita Vice President and General Manager Eric McCart said, ?We?re very excited Scott is joining our Journal Broadcast Group team. He brings genuine enthusiasm, passion and many years of proven leadership experience to our company. Noting that Winchell is originally from Salina, Kansas, McCart added: ?He knows Wichita and is very excited to roll up his sleeves, hit the streets and help us continue to provide creative, unique and effective customer-focused marketing solutions for our advertisers.?

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Langmyer Lands With Journal

8-6-13

Veteran broadcaster Tom Langmyer has been named VP of news/talk programming for Journal Broadcast Group. Langmyer will oversee the programming of Journal Broadcast Group?s flagship WTMJ-AM in Milwaukee. He will also work closely with Journal VP of Programming Beverlee Brannigan on the company?s news and talk stations. Langmyer's last stop was at WGN-AM in Chicago as VP/GM, a position he held since 2005.

Langmyer said, ?I?ve admired Journal Broadcast Group for many years as a leader in local content and for their service to their communities. WTMJ is Wisconsin?s iconic news/talk station with great personalities and dependable news, and it?s also revered as the home of the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, and Bucks. I?m honored and excited to join Steve, Beverlee, and the Journal Broadcast team in serving listeners in a variety of markets.?

Journal Executive VP Steve Wexler said, ?I'm thrilled to welcome Tom to the Journal family. He is a trusted leader with a well-known track record of success. He understands the importance of heritage stations like WTMJ. I?ve known Tom for years and am happy to finally be able to call him a fellow employee.?

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Lawsuit Filed Over Journal Knoxsville Purchase

12-26-2012

As we reported last week, Journal announced it had purchased WNOX in Knoxville, giving it a 4th FM in that market. As soon as the deal was announced, the owner of M&M Broadcasting filed a lawsuit against Johnny Pirkle, the owner of WNOX. M&M claims that it had a deal to buy the station but says "in the final days Journal intervened and got the deal." The sale still must be approved bf the FCC.

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Journal Picks Up 4th FM In Knoxville

12-21-12

Journal Broadcast Group has reached an agreement to purchase WNOX-FM in the Knoxville market from Oak Ridge FM, Inc. CEO Steven Smith (pictured) said, ?This is a great opportunity for us to add to our Knoxville cluster. Knoxville is a strong market for Journal with an exceptional team. The addition of WNOX will help us expand our reach to listeners and customers in this community.?

Journal Broadcast Group owns three radio stations in Knoxville, Tennessee, including WCYQ-FM Q93 (Country), WWST-FM Star 102.1 (Contemporary), and WKHT-FM Hot 104.5 (Contemporary).

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Journal Sells WKTI-AM in Knoxville

12-4-2012

Journal sells the AM in Knoxville, to Tennessee-based religious broadcaster WMCH Radio. Journal owns three other radio stations in Knoxville, including WCYQ-FM Q93 (Country), WWST-FM Star 102.1 (Contemporary), and WKHT-FM Hot 104.5 (Contemporary). Terms were not disclosed. WMCH intends to change the call letters to WWAM-AM.

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Journal Radio Revenue Flat In Q3

10-25-2012

For the third quarter, revenue from Tulsa's 35 radio stations increased 4.4 percent to $19.9 million from $19.0 million. However, when you back out the two stations Journal purchased from Renda in Tulsa that were not on the books last year, the Journal increase is only .8 percent. Political and issue advertising revenue was $300K in 2012 compared to $400K in 2011.

Core local advertising revenue increased 5.9 percent, or 1.8 percent on a same station basis, primarily due to increases in media and casino advertising. Core national advertising revenue decreased 2.1 percent, or a decrease of 5.7 percent on a same-station basis, mostly due to declines in communications advertising. Operating earnings from radio stations were $3.0 million compared to $4.1 million, a decrease of 26.6 percent. Radio operating expenses increased 13.0 percent driven by higher employee-related costs, a $0.4 million non-cash building impairment charge, and higher broadcast rights fees. Excluding the building impairment charge and Tulsa related operating and acquisition expenses of $0.6 million, operating expenses increased by 6.5 percent.

Journal purchased two stations from Renda Broadcasting in Tulsa last year (KHTT-FM and 92.9 BOB FM) which accounts for the additional revenue that gets the quarterly increase to 4.4 percent. Journal owns 35 radio stations in addition to its TV and publishing divisions.

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Journal Acquires All Outstanding Class C Shares

8-14-2012

Journal has acquired all 3,264,000 outstanding shares of its Class C common stock (4,451,998 shares on a Class A-equivalent basis), all of which were owned by members and successors of the Grant Family. Journal CEO Steven Smith said, ?This transaction simplifies our capital structure and allows us to remove a class of stock that had enhanced voting and other rights,?

In this repurchase, the company paid $6,245,536 in cash and issued unsecured subordinated promissory notes with an aggregate principal amount of $25,598,989 as the purchase price for the Class C shares. The cash payment equaled the amount of the minimum unpaid and undeclared dividend on the Class C shares.

The Class C shares were first issued at the time of the company?s initial public offering in 2003 and had rights that included, among others, a minimum dividend, rights to approve strategic transactions or to receive a premium in the event of a strategic transaction, conversion rights, two votes per share, and a right to designate a board nominee. The Class C rights were terminated with this transaction.

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Journal Has Big Second Quarter

7/26/2012

Journal Communications, with its 35 stations, in Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Tennessee reported a revenue increase of 11.5% to $19.4 million from $17.4 million. The increase was 6.7% when Journal backs out $800K of revenue from the LMA for two Tulsa radio stations which Journal has not had for a year yet. They were purchased from Renda early in the third quarter. Excluding political advertising revenue same station revenue increased 4.8%. Today at 11AM We'll hear from Beasley Broadcasting

Journal says core local revenue increased 9.5% or 4.6% on a same-station basis primarily due to an increase in automotive advertising. Core national revenue increased 12.8% or 7.1% on a same station basis primarily due to an increase in media and other services advertising. The strongest advertising categories for the company were automotive, political and retail and financial services. Weaker categories included building and hardware, beverages, casinos, wireless and pharmeceuticals.

Journal executives discussed their goal of growing the company but seemed to lean more toward growing their TV properties over radio. "People know we're interested. We do get calls. We're look at deals with long-term shareholder value in mind." As far as radio goes, Journal executives say they would seek to fill out clusters, as it did with the Renda purchase in Tulsa.

For the third quarter of 2012, Journal anticipates broadcast revenue (Radio is not broken out) to increase in the low-double digits, compared to the prior year, driven by an improving economy, higher political and issue advertising revenue in key states and Olympic revenue at our NBC-affiliated television stations.

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Journal Promotes Brannigan to Programming VP

7-12-2012

Brannigan's radio career started with WOKQ in Dover, New Hampshire. In 1981, she transferred to KJJY in Des Moines, where she was PD for 20 years. Brannigan joined Journal in 2002 and has served as Operations Manager at the company?s Wichita Operations and as PD for KFDI-FM. In her new position, Brannigan will now work with all of Journal?s local markets and add Ops Manager duties for Journal?s Milwaukee operations.

Brannigan said ?It?s a double privilege to step into this position ? I get to work with the outstanding Journal team in Milwaukee, and with the incredibly talented and committed radio programmers all across our group. I can?t wait to get started.? Brannigan was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2012.

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