Jacor
Encyclopedia
Jacor Communications was a media corporation which owned a large number of radio station
s in the United States
. Inside the radio industry, Jacor was seen as one of the most competitive broadcast companies in history. Jacor's re-image in 1996 created the slogan "The Noise You Can't Ignore".
Jacor was named after its founder Terry Jacobs. Jacobs started the group with small religious stations. From 1987 to 1992, it was owned by Terry Jacobs. From 1992-1999, Jacor was owned by Sam Zell's Zell Chillmark fund. In 1999, Zell sold Jacor to Clear Channel Communications
.
. In February 1996, with the passing of the telcom bill, Jacor went on a radio shopping spree.
Jacor acquired Noble Broadcasting days after the telecom bill was passed, 10 days later Jacor merged with Citicasters. In 1997 Jacor acquired the assets of Nationwide Communications
. These acquisitions made Jacor the third-largest radio company when it was acquired by Clear Channel for 4.4 billion dollars in 1999. When bought out by Clear Channel, Jacor owned 230 radio stations in 55 markets. Jacor also owned Premiere Radio networks, producers of The Rush Limbaugh Show
and the Dr. Laura Schlessinger
show. Jacor also owned WKRC-TV 12 in Cincinnati (ABC affiliate).
Jacor's corporate headquarters were at 201 E. 5th Street (13th floor) in downtown Cincinnati from the mid 80's through 1996. In December 1996 Jacor moved its headquarters across the Ohio River
to 50 E. Rivercenter Blvd (12th and 14th floor) in Covington KY.
Jacor was owned (1992-1999) by Sam Zell's Zell Chillmark fund. In May 1993 founder and CEO Terry Jacobs left Jacor and VP Programming and COO Randy Michaels
was named President of the company, in 1996 he was promoted to CEO. In 1999 Zell decided to exit radio and his interest in Jacor. A bidding war between CBS Radio
and Clear Channel Communications
began with Clear Channel prevailing with a 4.4 billion dollar price. Clear Channel named Michaels CEO and enjoyed several years of continued growth and success reaching 1200 domestic radio properties. Michaels is now CEO of Tribune and Clear Channel has been sold to a group of private equity investors.
The Jacor name is retired from broadcasting. For many years in the late 80's and throughout the 90's Jacor's perception in the radio industry was well regarded among radio listeners and broadcasting peers. In most markets where Jacor competed they had the #1 and in the case of Denver, Cincinnati, and Tampa were often ranked 1st and 2nd with their AM/FM combos. In the 90's Jacor's first entry into a major market was Gannett's KIIS-AM/FM in Los Angeles. Jacor quickly improved ratings at KIIS-FM and turned the AM from a 5000 watt unknown to a successful AM sports station that for several years was the flagship station for the Dodgers baseball games.
Terry S. Jacobs (Founder and CEO from early 80's through 1993)
Randy Michaels
(VP Programming & co-COO 1986-1993 / President 1993-1996 / CEO 1996-1999) / Now CEO at Tribune
Frank Wood (President 1986-1989)
Bobby Lawrence (co-COO 1986-1996 / President 1996-1999)
Jay Meyers (SVP 1997-99, SVP Clear Channel 1999-2006 / Now President/CEO of BMTllc)
David Crowl (President of Radio Division 1996-1999 / Now SVP for Clear Channel)
Tom Owens (SVP Programming 1994-1999 / Now EVP Programming for Clear Channel)
Chris Weber (CFO 1987-1999 / Retired)
John Hogan (SVP 1996-1999 / Now CEO of Clear Channel Radio)
Marc Chase
(SVP Programming until 2008 / Now President of Tribune Interactive)
Sean Compton
(VP Programming until 2008 / Now EVP Programming for Tribune Television)
Gene Romano (VP Programming / Now SVP Programming for Clear Channel Radio)
Marty Gausvick (VP Finance / Now CFO for Cumulus Broadcasting)
Jerry Kersting (VP Business Affairs / Now EVP Tribune Company)
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
s in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Inside the radio industry, Jacor was seen as one of the most competitive broadcast companies in history. Jacor's re-image in 1996 created the slogan "The Noise You Can't Ignore".
Jacor was named after its founder Terry Jacobs. Jacobs started the group with small religious stations. From 1987 to 1992, it was owned by Terry Jacobs. From 1992-1999, Jacor was owned by Sam Zell's Zell Chillmark fund. In 1999, Zell sold Jacor to Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
.
History
In 1992 Jacor was one of the first broadcasters to take advantage of duopoly rules allowing stations to own or operate 2AM's and 2FM's per market. Up until that time broadcasters could only own 1AM and 1FM per market. One of the first duopoly acquisitions was WKRC Radio in Cincinnati. From 1992-1994 WKRC operated as WLWA, a female version of male driven 700WLWWLW
WLW is a clear channel talk radio station located in Cincinnati, Ohio, run by Clear Channel Communications. The station broadcasts locally on 700 kHz AM...
. In February 1996, with the passing of the telcom bill, Jacor went on a radio shopping spree.
Jacor acquired Noble Broadcasting days after the telecom bill was passed, 10 days later Jacor merged with Citicasters. In 1997 Jacor acquired the assets of Nationwide Communications
Nationwide Communications
Nationwide Communications Inc. was a media subsidiary of the Nationwide Insurance Company, which operated from 1946 until 1997. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide Communications owned and operated a variety of radio and television stations across the United States until it sold off all its radio...
. These acquisitions made Jacor the third-largest radio company when it was acquired by Clear Channel for 4.4 billion dollars in 1999. When bought out by Clear Channel, Jacor owned 230 radio stations in 55 markets. Jacor also owned Premiere Radio networks, producers of The Rush Limbaugh Show
The Rush Limbaugh Show
The Rush Limbaugh Show is an American talk radio show hosted by Rush Limbaugh on Premiere Radio Networks...
and the Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Laura Schlessinger
Laura Catherine Schlessinger is an American talk radio host, socially conservative commentator and author. Her radio program consists mainly of her responses to callers' requests for personal advice and has occasionally featured her short monologues on social and political topics...
show. Jacor also owned WKRC-TV 12 in Cincinnati (ABC affiliate).
Jacor's corporate headquarters were at 201 E. 5th Street (13th floor) in downtown Cincinnati from the mid 80's through 1996. In December 1996 Jacor moved its headquarters across the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
to 50 E. Rivercenter Blvd (12th and 14th floor) in Covington KY.
Jacor was owned (1992-1999) by Sam Zell's Zell Chillmark fund. In May 1993 founder and CEO Terry Jacobs left Jacor and VP Programming and COO Randy Michaels
Randy Michaels
Randy Michaels is an American broadcasting executive and a member of the National Association of Broadcasters TV Board.Randy Michaels has been involved in large market radio broadcasting since the early 1970s, first in front of the mike as evening personality at adult contemporary WGR in Buffalo...
was named President of the company, in 1996 he was promoted to CEO. In 1999 Zell decided to exit radio and his interest in Jacor. A bidding war between CBS Radio
CBS Radio
CBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
and Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
began with Clear Channel prevailing with a 4.4 billion dollar price. Clear Channel named Michaels CEO and enjoyed several years of continued growth and success reaching 1200 domestic radio properties. Michaels is now CEO of Tribune and Clear Channel has been sold to a group of private equity investors.
The Jacor name is retired from broadcasting. For many years in the late 80's and throughout the 90's Jacor's perception in the radio industry was well regarded among radio listeners and broadcasting peers. In most markets where Jacor competed they had the #1 and in the case of Denver, Cincinnati, and Tampa were often ranked 1st and 2nd with their AM/FM combos. In the 90's Jacor's first entry into a major market was Gannett's KIIS-AM/FM in Los Angeles. Jacor quickly improved ratings at KIIS-FM and turned the AM from a 5000 watt unknown to a successful AM sports station that for several years was the flagship station for the Dodgers baseball games.
Jacor TV
Jacor also operated WKRC-TV (ABC affiliate until 1994, CBS affiliate since) in Cincinnati, Ohio and for a short time WTSP-TV (CBS affiliate) in Tampa, Florida. In the 80's Jacor also owned Telesat Cable, a Northern Kentucky cable provider.Jacor Executives
Sam Zell (Chairman)Terry S. Jacobs (Founder and CEO from early 80's through 1993)
Randy Michaels
Randy Michaels
Randy Michaels is an American broadcasting executive and a member of the National Association of Broadcasters TV Board.Randy Michaels has been involved in large market radio broadcasting since the early 1970s, first in front of the mike as evening personality at adult contemporary WGR in Buffalo...
(VP Programming & co-COO 1986-1993 / President 1993-1996 / CEO 1996-1999) / Now CEO at Tribune
Frank Wood (President 1986-1989)
Bobby Lawrence (co-COO 1986-1996 / President 1996-1999)
Jay Meyers (SVP 1997-99, SVP Clear Channel 1999-2006 / Now President/CEO of BMTllc)
David Crowl (President of Radio Division 1996-1999 / Now SVP for Clear Channel)
Tom Owens (SVP Programming 1994-1999 / Now EVP Programming for Clear Channel)
Chris Weber (CFO 1987-1999 / Retired)
John Hogan (SVP 1996-1999 / Now CEO of Clear Channel Radio)
Marc Chase
Marc Chase
Marc Chase is an award-winning American radio executive currently working for Tribune Company as the President of Tribune Interactive.- History :...
(SVP Programming until 2008 / Now President of Tribune Interactive)
Sean Compton
Sean Compton
Sean Compton is an American radio and television executive. He currently serves as President of Programming and Entertainment for Chicago based Tribune Company. Compton oversees programming for 41 television stations which includes a program services arrangement with LocalTV llc...
(VP Programming until 2008 / Now EVP Programming for Tribune Television)
Gene Romano (VP Programming / Now SVP Programming for Clear Channel Radio)
Marty Gausvick (VP Finance / Now CFO for Cumulus Broadcasting)
Jerry Kersting (VP Business Affairs / Now EVP Tribune Company)