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Emmis Communications is a media conglomerate based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company owns radio and television stations and magazines in the United States, Belgium, Hungary and Slovakia. History In 1980 Emmis Broadcasting founder Jeffrey Smulyan purchased his first radio station, WSVL-FM Shelbyville, IN. In July 1981, Smulyan moved that radio station's tower and transmitter closer to Indianapolis, changed from country music to adult contemporary and renamed it WENS. The station's quick success led him to purchase other radio stations throughout the country. Around 1984 the company bought Magic 106 in Los Angeles, California. Then L.A. Lakers player "Magic" Johnson was an early spokesperson for the station. In early 1986, Emmis changed Magic 106 to Power 106 KPWR. Also in 1986 the company's expansion grew as they purchased WAPP (renamed WQHT) and WHN (now WFAN) in New York as well as WAVA-FM in Washington D.C. from the Doubleday Broadcasting Company. Emmis took full advantage of the money-minded 1980's as it acquired five NBC radio stations in 1988 but ended up selling two stations to avoid a duopoly. Emmis purchased the Seattle Mariners in 1989 but sold them in 1992. In 1994 the company purchased WIBC and WKLR in Indianapolis from the Horizon Broadcast Corporation and WRKS in New York City from the Summit Communications Group. WKLR was changed from an oldies format to a classic hits format with the call letters of WNAP in September of 1994. Emmis became a public company in 1994. The expansion continued as the company purchased numerous television and radio stations in the late 1990s. Emmis Broadcasting changed its name to Emmis Communications in 1998. Emmis also co-owns a nationally syndicated morning news show called The Daily Buzz. In 2003 Emmis appointed its first African American VP/General Manager, Barry Mayo. He currently oversees 98.7 Kiss FM, Hot 97 and WQCD (CD 101.9), all in New York City. Mayo has maintained higher ratings for all three stations there. In 2005, Emmis changed the format of their first radio station from its long time adult contemporary format to country. The call letters were changed from WENS to WLHK. Emmis was also named one of FORTUNE magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For. In 2006 Emmis stunned Country music fans and the industry in general when it flipped KZLA/Los Angeles to Adult Rhythmic Contemporary as "Movin' 93.9." The move gives Emmis a companion station to compliment KPWR. Controversies Radio The company owns Sláger Rádió in Hungary, Be One Radio in Belgium, Radio FM Plus in Bulgaria and Rádio Expres in Slovakia. It also owns the following: Austin Chicago Indianapolis Los Angeles New York Phoenix St. Louis Television Emmis announced in May 2005 announced its intent to sell some or all of the sixteen television stations they owned at the time. In August 2005 sale of nine television stations were announced, as well as four more in October and an additional station in May. The following stations still in company hands: Hawaii Louisiana Former Emmis Owned and Operated Stations Magazines Article Source April 18, 2006: http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=9791 Board of directors | |||||||
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