This Month

Featured this Month: Give us your worst stick and we will give you better ratings!

If all your heroes have been cowboys:  Then this new programming network is for you.  MCH Enterprises is now pitchin' in to help launch a new programming network.  RangeWorks, LLC has launched its latest offering:  Range Radio is more than just your ol' Daddy's country format.  It's about the Cowboy Way and it's about the Western Lifestyle.  In addition to the 24/7 network, there is an overnight option from midnight to 6:00am hosted by Rex Allen, Jr.: Overnights on the Range.  There's also a digital companion magazine, Ranch & Reata, that affiliates will be able to sell display advertising into for value-add or up-sell opportunities.  Finally there's a really nice website template that you can brand with your own station logo.

Provided with a three-year contract is a complete automation system with computer, software, liners, and all music files which will reside locally.  Daily program logs are prepared for you and delivered via Internet.  All you have to do is let the Range Radio programmers do it for you but if you insist, you can also do live assist in those critical listening hours.

Click on the Range Works link or go here to check out the demos and more.  Contact us for more information.  Contract details are available as well.  Try something new in your market...Range Radio.

Outstanding in Arizona: Every now and then you find a real gem of a station operation.  There is good programming, sound technical facilities, an owner/operator tied to his community.  And surprise, these operations are even profitable because it's that kind of pride of ownership and service to community that leads to good business practices and good business.  We have an AM/FM combo for sale in northern Arizona that fits that bill.  The owner has done an outstanding job of building a business that generates good income while serving the community.

These stations are for sale at a reasonable multiple of revenue and cashflow.  If it were four years ago the asking price would be twice what it is today.  Based on the current financial analysis that we have prepared on these stations (year end 2010), there is ample cashflow to service debt (after a reasonable down payment) while still being able to pay a nice salary to a GM or to take an Owner's draw.

We invite you to check out this Arizona combo.  Give us a call at 805.237.0952.  We will need a non-disclosure agreement, but that's easy to send you via email.  This is how radio should be done...small or big market.  Attention to detail. Ownership involvement.  True service to advertisers and listeners.

New LPTV-LD Construction in California:  This new LPTV-LD facility is set to be constructed along California's Central Coast.  DMA #122 and one of the most sought-after places to live.  The asking price is $55,000 for the CP and that will include the majority of the equipment needed to put the station on the air.  The estimated remaining costs to construct are approximately $30,000 and there is an existing tower to attach to (subject to a loading study).  An offering Memorandum is in the works and will be finished in a couple of weeks.  Contact us for more information.

News You Can Use

And You Thought You Just Finished!  Remember that new biennial ownership report you just completed last year?  Well, it's just about time to do another one.  That's right.  Last year's report was supposed to reflect your ownership interests as of November 1, 2009 which means that November 1, 2011 is just around the corner.  So mark October 1, 2011 on your calendar because that's when the next report has to be on file with the FCC.

License Renewals Are Coming!  We are just about to start that license renewal season once again.  The first ones to go down are on the east coast in the states of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.  By now (June 1, 2011) stations in those stations should have had their renewal application filed with the FCC for an October 1, 2011 expiration.  The next go-round will be in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina.  Applications must be on file by August 1, 2011 for an expiration date of December 1, 2011.

To see a list of filing dates by State go here and for a list of States by date go here.

EAS-CAP is Still On Schedule.  The FCC's Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau is moving ahead with the September deadline for all broadcast stations to become compliant with CAP (Common Alerting Protocol) delivery of next-generation EAS.  The CAP-compliant EAS encoders/decoders must be purchased, installed and operational by the end of Septmeber unless the Commission again extends the deadline.  That extension seems unlikely at this time.

Your decision?  (a) Tell them "no"; (b) purchase a convertor as an add-on to your current EAS equipment, or (c) purchase a new CAP-EAS unit.  Based on what we've seen in the marketplace, the cost is going to be $1,300 to $2,500 depending on which way you go.

From The H.R. Department

Should You Rely On Social Networking Data When Making Hiring Decisions?  

Companies using criminal records or bad credit reports to screen out job applicants might run afoul of anti-discrimination laws as the government steps up scrutiny of hiring policies that could hurt blacks and Hispanics.

A blanket refusal to hire workers based on criminal records or credit problems can be illegal if it has a disparate impact on racial minorities, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The agency enforces the nation's employment discrimination laws.

"Our sense is that the problem is snowballing because of the technology allowing these checks to be done with a fair amount of ease," said Carol Miaskoff, assistant legal counsel at the EEOC.

With millions of adult Americans having criminal records, from underage drinking to homicide, increasingly more job seekers are having a rough time finding work. And more companies are trying to screen out people with bankruptcies, court judgments or other credit problems just as those numbers have swollen during the recession.

Now we hear from other legal corners warning that using information mined from the various social networking websites when making hiring determinations could also be considered unfair and discriminatory.

According to a 2009 survey conducted by the employment website CareerBuilder.com, more than half of the employers responding indicated hey did not even think twice about using social media Internet sites in checking out prospective new-hires.

Going to the Internet to seek information about a prospective employee is not unlawful.  However, how that information is used could be.  Various laws protect individuals from discrimination from employers on the basis or race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability and age.  These are the so-called protected classes.  

A report by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government maintains that the general risk to an employer that uses public information from a social network site runs the risk that an unsuccessful applicant will allege that personal information disclosed through an Internet search was unlawfully used in the hiring decision.

So what's to do?  All employers, human resources practitioners, and supervisors making hiring decisions must establish very clear and non-discriminatory applications of information derived from online and in particular social networking sources.  Any employer in the possession of information about applicants' or employees' protected characteristics could face the challenge of establishing that employment decisions were made without regard for that information. 

One important element in the employment hiring decision is based on information obtained from references.  All references and employment representations made by an applicant should be verified.  And while it may not be permissible or advisable to ask certain kinds of questions when conducting the prior employment verification, it is permissible to ask if the applicant is "eligible for re-hire".  That one question alone often tells you all you need to know.

For What It's Worth

If you ever wanted to have a good laugh or get scared to death, just go to the Internet and search on your own name.  It's very interesting how many people have the same name and it's scary as heck as to what is just floating around about yourself.  

While we are inclined to just push back and take the position that for better or worse, it you put it out there on the Internet, don't whine if it gets used and/or used against you, there is a distinction between the use of what you hang out there for the whole world to see and the use of those subtle little things that are so hard to prove.  That's just one reason we have always counseled our charges not to put their pictures on their resumes unless you're in a business that depends on how you look or what you look like.

Regardless, be advised...if you put stupid stuff on the Internet, don't be surprised if it comes back to bite you!  If you put "TMI" out there, don't complain about it when you read about it in the tabloids.

Just ask Congressman Weiner about that one.

That's 30 for now...for what it's worth.

Brett E. Miller

Station Listings & Updates
Complete Details Complete Details Here
or call (805) 237-0952  

ARIZONA COMBO:  Very good cashflow. Asking $1.2M if terms; $1.050M for cash; and the real estate is available to purchase, lease/option, or lease.

SILENT IN WYOMING:  Currently a C3 but has the potential to be re-permitted as a C2 from the current site and the application is about to be filed. Transmission facilities are intact; just needs a studio.  Asking $250,000 all-cash or do an LMA with $50K down and a five-year workout.

SOUTHWEST SMORGASBORD:  C-Class FM with AM construction permit and several translators.  Asking $365K for the FM, $45K for the AM C.P., and various amounts for the translators. 

BUILD TO SUIT IN CALIFORNIA:  Rural California Class A with B1 construction permit located near National Parks and a thriving military base city.  Asking $100,000 with terms available. LEASE PURCHASE PENDING.

NORTHERN PLAINS:  AM serving three communities.  Highly automated.  Profitable.  Real estate is included!  Call for pricing details.

NORTHERN PLAINS FM:  Solid  country format has the ability to upgrade class of service from C3 to C2 at current site or even a C1 at a new site.  Asking $975,000 and will consider terms.

SOUTHWEST NON-COMM:  Perfect for NCE and studio waiver.  Asking $75,000.  Construction Permit granted to move to new site.  MOTIVATED SELLER.

PRICE REDUCED!  CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY TOWN:  Asking $495K with possible terms to qualified buyers.  LMA/Option, buy out one partner then work out an arrangement with the other.  All possibilities are on the table.  GET CREATIVE!

NEW FM CONSTRUCTION PERMIT IN NORTH DAKOTA:  $200,000 and the owner will entertain joint ventures.  Tower site is secured, and a tall tower is on-site waiting to be erected.  Rated market.  Class C0 means 100,000 watts of power!

LPTV IN THE NORTHWEST: A 1,000 sq. ft. studio, three cameras, edit bays, control room, offices, remote truck and a local news crew.  Asking $525,000

NEVADA STANDALONE FM:  NCE on a commercial frequency with booster.  Asking $450K. Terms are available.  

SOLD AND CLOSED - YEAR TO DATE: 2011

NEW CP:  Construction Permit for a new AM station to serve La Grande, OR.  Seller Huffman Broadcasting, Buyer KLG, LLC.  $50,000. 

KBDB (FM) and KBIS-AM:  $25,000 for FCC Licenses and equipment "as-is" after severe lightning damage.  Insurance proceeds to remain with Seller.  Seller:  First Broadcasting, Buyer, Xana HD Solutions, LLC.

K252EQ, Depoe Bay, OR:  Seller:  Thomas D. Hodgins, Buyer: Yaquina Bay Communications, Inc.  $16,500 with Seller financing.

K280BI, Ephrata, WA:  Seller: Edgar Eaton, Buyer: Alexandra Communications, Inc.  Note:  Subsequently sold by Alexandra Communications to Roselia Tijerina for $12,000.

K296BP, Ephrata, WA:  Seller: Edgar Eaton, Buyer: Alexandra Communications, Inc.  Note: Subsequently sold by Alexandra Communications to Centro Familiar Cristiano for $12,000.

K229BN, Union, OR:  Seller: Lyle Dodge, Buyer: Alexandra Communications, Inc. Note: Subsequently sold by Alexandra Communications to Oregon Trail Broadcasting for $10,000.

K295BP, Othello, WA:  Seller: Jacobs Radio Programming, Buyer: Centro Familiar Cristiano.  Selling Price:  $75,000.