CCU donates stations to MMTC

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Clear Channel has finally found a way to clear out some of its excess inventory, and it is indeed a noble way. It is donating four AM stations — in Arkansas, Minnesota, Mississippi and Virginia – to the Minority Media and Telecommunications Counsel, which will use them to groom potential broadcast executives and owners.


The stations, all in small Arbitron-rated markets, are these: KYHN in Fort Smith, AR; WTFX in Winchester, VA; KMFX in Rochester, MN; and WHJA in Laurel, MS. And this is said to be just the start.

MMTC’s David Honig commented, “In cooperation with the NAB Education Foundation’s Broadcast Leadership Training Program, MMTC will use the stations for training and to incubate new minority and women broadcast owners. Clear Channel Radio’s generosity and support creates an enormous opportunity not only for our own training programs, but for minority and women broadcasters who would not otherwise have the means to operate their own stations. We look forward to working with Clear Channel through this ongoing program to promote diversity in radio broadcasting.”

“We applaud the MMTC for creating a program that helps minority broadcasters develop the skills and experience necessary to become successful broadcasters,” said John Hogan, President and CEO of Clear Channel Radio. “We’re pleased these resources can help develop the next generation of broadcasters.”

“Today’s announcement provides a great boost to NABEF’s mission of increasing diversity in broadcasting,” said NABEF’s Marcellus Alexander. “NABEF’s Broadcast Leadership Training program has helped more than 150 radio and television broadcasters strengthen the skills necessary to acquire stations and advance their careers. The MMTC-Clear Channel Ownership Diversity Initiative will further that cause by providing our radio graduates with hands-on leadership experience.”

RBR/TVBR observation: If you’re having a hard time running it profitably and you can’t sell it, then donate it! Not only will you reap rewards for being a public benefactor and overall outstanding corporate citizen, you will also get to use it to advantage when it’s time to report to the taxman.