Saga Communications

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Saga Communications, Inc. is a broadcast company whose business is primarily devoted to acquiring, developing and operating radio stations, television stations and state radio networks. The company, which is based in Detroit, Michigan Saga currently owns or operates broadcast properties in 26 markets, including 57 FM and 30 AM radio stations, 3 state radio networks, 2 farm radio networks, 5 television stations and 4 low power TV stationslow-power)..

Saga’s strategy is to operate top billing radio and television stations in mid sized markets, defined as markets ranked (by market revenues) from 20 to 200. Saga’s radio stations employ a myriad of programming formats, including Classic Hits, Adult Contemporary, Active Rock, Oldies, News/Talk, Country and Classical. Saga’s television stations are affiliated with CBS and Fox in Joplin, MO; CBS in Greenville, MS; ABC, Fox, NBC, Telemundo and Univision in Victoria, TX.

In operating its stations, Saga concentrates on the development of strong decentralized local management, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the stations in their market area and is compensated based on their financial performance as well as other performance factors that are deemed to effect the long-term ability of the stations to achieve financial objectives.

Saga began operations in 1986 and became a publicly traded company in December 1992. The stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "SGA". During 2005 net revenue was $141 million and operating income was $27 million.

Saga continues to actively seek and explore opportunities for expansion through the acquisition of additional broadcast properties. These acquisitions must be reasonably priced properties with significant growth potential that are located in markets with well-established and relatively stable economies.

The company was formed when a number of employees of Josephson Communications purchased their radio stations headed by CEO Edward K. Christian.

Christian is President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman since the company’s inception in 1986, is known as a pioneer in the radio broadcasting industry. From 1977 to 1986, Mr. Christian served as Executive Vice President and subsequently as President of Josephson Communications. From 1974 to 1977, he served as Vice President and General Manager of WNIC-FM in Detroit until the station was purchased by Josephson Communications. Mr. Christian holds a BA from Wayne State University and an MA in Management from Central Michigan University.

Steven J. Goldstein, Executive Vice President and Group Program Director since 1988, has been employed by Saga since its inception in 1986. He is very well known as a top radio programmer. From 1985 until 1986, he was Vice President and Group Program Director of Josephson Communications. From 1981 until 1985, he served in the position of Program Director for Capital Cities/ABC Inc. at WHYT-FM in Detroit, for Metromedia Company at WOMC-FM in Detroit and for Chase Broadcasting at WTIC-FM in Hartford. From 1979 until 1981 Mr. Goldstein was in various positions including Regional Manager, Affiliate Relations with the NBC Radio Network, News Anchor at ABC Radio Network and Assistant Program Director of WABC-AM in New York City. Mr. Goldstein holds a BA in Communications Management from Ithaca College.

[edit] External links

• Official website