Clear Channel And Katz Radio Sales Houses Set To Merge Following US Deal

As a result of yesterday’s £33.8 billion ($56 billion) US merger between Clear Channel Communications and AMFM, the UK radio sales subsidiaries, Clear Channel Radio Sales (CCRS) and Katz Radio Sales, are likely to merge their operations creating the UK’s only independent radio sales house.

Clear Channel Communications operates over 700 radio stations around the world, along with a number of outdoor companies, including the UK’s More Group, now Clear Channel International (CCI) (see More Becomes Clear Channel). Earlier in the year CCI created the CCRS radio sales house and took Jazz FM, in which it owns a stake, as its first client (see Clear Channel Want A Stake In Jazz FM). CCRS operates from More Group/CCI’s offices in Golden Square.

AMFM owns Katz Media, the only full-service media representation company in the US, which in turn operates the UK operation, Katz Radio Sales. Katz Radio Sales represents over 80 local radio stations around the country. As a result of the merger, Katz is expected to move its entire sales operation across to Golden Square.

At the time of writing, no one at either Katz or Clear Channel was available for comment on the merger. It is not clear whether the merged operation will trade as Katz Radio Sales or CCRS, although it is likely that the Clear Channel name will be dominant, as has happened in the States. More details will be available on Newsline as soon as they are available.

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Clear Channel International: 0171 287 3303 Katz Radio Sales: 0171 388 8787