The Big Radio Swap Shop Is Open

After much speculation and what is rumored to become a new blueprint for the rule and not the exception, CBS Radio and the Beasley Broadcast Group is leading the “big radio swap shop.”

CBS will assume a solid presence in Philadelphia by expanding to their four existing radio stations with ownership of Country WXTU, Top 40/Rhythmic WRDW and in Miami as well with Top 40 WPOW, Country WKIS, and Sports WQAM-A. The deal gives CBS two additional FM outlets to add to their existing Philly cluster, which includes Sports WIP-F, Classic Hits WOGL, News KYW-A and News-Talk WPHT-A. CBS also owns KYW-TV and CW affiliate WPSG-TV and website CBSPHILLY.COM in the City of Brotherly Love and WFOR-TV and affiliate WBFS-TV in Miami. It appears CBS is taking a page from the Cox family dynasty in owning multiple radio and TV stations in a major market(cha-ching). This business decision makes good business sense. After all, CBS is a well-established TV powerhouse that happened to own some radio stations along the way.

Beasley Broadcasting’s grocery cart is hardly empty as they acquire CBS’s Charlotte, NC cluster which includes Urban WPEG(Power 98) and WBAV (V101.9), Sports AM’s WFNZ and WBCN , Top 40 WNKS, Country WSOC and AC WKQC. Tampa, FL stations adds the sports duo WHFS-A WHFS-F, Top 40 /Rhythmic WLLD, Country WQYK, Classic Hits WRBQ, and Tropical WYUU and Philly’s all sports WIP-A. Beasley will retain brokered programming and Spanish Sports WWDB-A and Religion WTMR-A in Philadelphia. Moreover, the Beasley’s operate a broadcast company that is clearly expanding their horizons with more to come.

Anonymous sources inside the confines of several CBS radio properties are said to be very happy about the pending “swap-a-tion” and working for a company with a 50+ year track record of valuing employees. (You fill in the blank)