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Title: The Rush Limbaugh Advertiser Backlash Is Knocking Down The Radio Networks
Source:
Daily Kos
URL Source: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/ ... cking-down-the-radio-networks#
Published: Nov 18, 2012
Author: Daily Kos
Post Date: 2012-11-18 13:00:27 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 2420
Comments: 1
The Cumulus and Dial Global radio networks have been adversely impacted by the advertiser boycott The Rush Limbaugh Show is distributed to 600 radio stations via several radio industry networks. The show is syndicated by privately-held Premiere Networks, which contracts with Cumulus Media, Dial Gobal, and other networks to secure broad access in as many media markets as possible. On Friday, November 16, Dial Global took a huge financial hit, resulting in the company voluntarily de-listing from NASDAQ. Dial Global's stock dropped by nearly 77 percent. The company identified three causes for its troubles, including "advertisers' response to controversial statements by a certain nationally syndicated talk radio personality in MARCH 2012." Now, it is becoming apparent that Cumulus is also a troubled company. Dial Gobal appears to be on the ropes; Cumulus is, so far, failing to thrive. Both companies have publicly blamed Rush. —Morning Star: Cumulus Media, Inc. Class A CMLS —Alex Fredricks: Stocks Forming a Downward Channel (Bearish) on Nov-8 While Cumulus received some favorable reviews on their 3rd Quarter Report, the company also received some bad news. Profit dipped by six percent, and Cumulus received a downgrade by Moody's: Moody’s Investors Service likes a lot of what Cumulus is doing to reduce leverage, but says uncertainties associated with the radio business as a whole and the acknowledged difficulties the company is encountering turning around 10 key stations are cause for caution, and a downgrade. [emphasis added] —Cumulus receives downgraded outlook, November 17th, 2012 Rush Limbaugh's syndicator, Premiere Networks, is privately held, and has not released information about Limbaugh's impact on revenues. Meanwhile, the movement to hold Limbaugh accountable continues to grow, and in the only recent audience analysis (of streaming audience share) to have been released, Limbaugh has been knocked out of first place, and has seen audience share decrease by nearly fifty percent.
Cumulus had been outperforming the S&P 500 prior to Rush Limbaugh's attack on Sandra Fluke. Since the advertiser backlash, Cumulus has been under-performing. Corporate information about Cumulus reveals why it is vulnerable: 
fallen steadily since Rush Limbaugh
attacked Sandra Fluke. Advertisers have
boycotted the talk show, costing
the radio networks millions of dollarsCumulus Media is the eighth-largest terrestrial radio operator in the United States by revenue and the second-largest in terms of number of stations owned. The company operates 314 stations in 59 markets, primarily in small to midsize cities. Through its private-equity partnership, the company operates an additional 33 stations in larger cities such as Atlanta and San Francisco. Local and regional advertising accounts for 90% of company revenue. [emphasis added]
"Local and regional advertising accounts for 90% of company revenue." That means the Limbaugh advertiser boycott was, and is, a serious threat to the Cumulus business model. On November 8, Alex Fredricks reported on Cumulus:Cumulus Media Inc. (NASDAQ:CMLS) is currently trading at $2.34. CMLS's RSI is currently at 20.58 which indicates that the stock is oversold. CMLS is trading -12.98% below its 50 day moving average and -23.08% below its 200 day moving average. CMLS is -40.76% below its 52-week high and 12.50% above its 52-week low. CMLS's PE ratio is 9.36 and their market cap is $390.41M. [emphasis added]
has cost the radio networks millionsCumulus receives downgraded outlook
It is impossible to ascertain precisely how many millions of dollars Cumulus has lost because of Rush Limbaugh. Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey had reported in each of the two previous quarters that the Limbaugh advertising boycott was a drag on earnings, and was responsible for approximately one-third of lost revenue.
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#1. To: Brian S (#0)
You still stirring this pot? Slow news day or you just can't let something end?
war has to do something for entertainment; the voices in his head aren't speaking to him and his imaginary friends have found reasons not to come over anymore.
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