Zimmer Petitions FCC for Ownership Cap Exemption

Zimmer Communications files a request with the FCC to waive the ownership cap for its acquisition of four radio stations from Mid-West Family Broadcasting that includes sports talk KOSP, Springfield, Missouri “102.1 The Won” and three music brands. Zimmer argues in its filing that relief from the ownership cap would not adversely affect competition in the Springfield, Missouri market and notes that if approved, its revenue share in the market would be 33.6% (up from its current 8.5%), while SummitMedia’s revenue share is currently 34.8%. Zimmer goes on to add that in terms of audience share, Zimmer would have 21.3% of the market’s audience compared to iHeartMedia’s 22.3%. Additionally, Zimmer points out that, if approved, 18 different owners would control stations in the Springfield market.