Citadel Broadcasting faces tough future

What is the future for Citadel Broadcasting?

With some $2 billion in debt and extra-tough economic times, will the company be faced with Chapter 11 bankruptcy early next year?

Citadel Broadcasting is the nation's third largest radio group with 160-plus FM stations and more than 55 AM stations in about 50 markets.

In Salt Lake City, Citadel owns or manages nine stations — KBEE (FM-98.7), KBER (FM-101.1), KENZ (FM-101.9), KUBL (FM-93.3), KKAT-AM (860), KKAT-FM (107.5), KHTB (FM-94.9); KJQS (AM-1230); and KFNZ (AM-1320, programmed by the Utah Jazz).

I don't think any of these stations would go dark, but some could possibly be put up for sale. Citadel might have to sell some of its stations, which may or may not include any of its Salt Lake properties. The company will need cash to pay its credit obligations early next year.

Revenue for Citadel reportedly fell about 10 percent in the third quarter of this year.

Locally, Citadel's Salt Lake cluster appears well-managed and viable. This is simply a case of the parent company struggling.

Hopefully, no cutbacks will be made in Salt Lake radio, but in Texas, some Citadel stations recently laid off some DJs.

There's speculation, too, that Citadel might voice track more programming, and that could lead to fewer local personalities.

National analysts are now saying Citadel's absorption of ABC radio several years ago was a bad move.

Others, like Brian Maloney of "The Radio Equalizer" blog, feel Citadel's loss of the Sean Hannity Show cost the company millions in revenue.

And there's no argument that the passing of the legendary Paul Harvey last March at the age of 90 was another blow to the company's income.

JIM ROME FILL-IN REPORT — How did David James and Patrick Kinahan of KFNZ ("K-Fan," AM-1320) do when they filled-in for the vacationing Jim Rome on Monday?

They didn't come off as smooth as I'd hoped.

Also, their jokes didn't do Utah justice. They should have left such attempts at humor alone.

Even though I'm not a soccer fan, I think they should have led the show, which reaches some 2 million listeners, with commentary about Real Salt Lake winning the MLS Cup.

On the plus side, the best effort by the Utah guest hosts was on defining the red-blue rivalry in Utah. They excelled there.

Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham, who was a guest on the show, bolstered this focus.

"It's intense," Whittingham said of the in-state rivalry. "The entire state of Utah is involved."

TWENTY YEARS AGO IN SALT LAKE RADIO — Hans Petersen, a DJ on KLCY, produces his own record, "At the Mall" … Chuck Christensen is the new morning DJ on KLCY … John Berg leaves the KSL "Greenhouse Show" and starts his own "Grow It" show.

e-mail: lynn@desnews.com