Talk radio

Stations’ owners agree to merger

Sports radio could face changes after Thursday’s announced radio merger.

The top two sports radio stations in South Florida could be merging.

The parent companies of WQAM (560-AM) and The Ticket (790-AM) unveiled plans to merge on Thursday in a deal that will affect 244 stations nationwide and could change the South Florida radio scene drastically.

CBS Radio, which owns 560, and Entercom, which owns 790, agreed to combine their radio divisions. There are legal and regulatory hurdles yet to be met, but CBS and Entercom officials said they expect the deal to be completed in the second quarter.

Officials at WQAM and The Ticket declined to comment on the merger, referring questions to the parent companies.

But the most likely local outcome if the merger goes through is WQAM and The Ticket combining into one station, two local radio voices agreed.

“Everyone’s concerned about what it means,” a host at one of the stations said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

“It’s no doubt good for the corporate finances. But it’s not good for the market or for people in the business.”

If the two stations become one, that means fewer options for listeners, fewer voices in the market and fewer jobs in the industry.

It could also affect the local teams, which have radio broadcast affiliations and have often played one off the other in negotiations.

The Dolphins, for instance, hopped from 560 to 790 and are now back at 560, which airs their games and other related content.

The Heat are the only South Florida team with its games on 790 now. The Dolphins, Panthers and Hurricanes are on 560. The Marlins are on the other sports station in Miami and Broward, 940-AM.

Is there enough air time for all these teams if the stations merge?

Who decides which talk-show hosts stay?

Will Clear Channel, which owns 940, become a bigger player in the local sports market?

These are the types of questions being asked locally in many major markets across the country. The newly merged company would have stations in 23 of the top 25 markets if it goes through.

“This agreement is great for shareholders and achieves our previously stated objectives by separating our radio business in the best possible way,” Leslie Moonves, chairman and CEO of CBS, said in a statement.

“Entercom is a superbly run company, and together with CBS Radio’s powerful brands and remarkable people, we are creating an organization that will be even better positioned to succeed in this rapidly evolving media landscape.”