Clear Channel Announces Plan to Sell Radio Stations Outside the Top 100 Markets and Entire Television Station Group SAN ANTONIO ?? November 16, 2006 ?? Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (NYSE:CCU) today announced plans to sell 448 of its 1,150 radio stations, all located outside the top 100 U.S. media markets, as well as the company??s 42-station Television Group. Collectively, these properties contributed less than 10 percent of the company??s revenues last year.
??Our decision to divest these broadcast properties was reached as a result of the ongoing optimization of our diverse portfolio of media assets,? said Mark Mays, Chief Executive Officer. ??These are profitable and well-managed properties in excellent markets. We believe that the sale of these stations will allow us to position our business to provide even greater value to our listeners and shareholders.?
The radio stations scheduled for sale are located in 90 markets outside of the top-100 Arbitron Metros. The television stations are located in 24 small and mid-sized markets throughout the country.
The sale of these assets is not contingent on the closing of the company??s merger agreement announced separately today.
Important Additional Information will be filed with the SEC
In connection with the proposed merger, Clear Channel will file a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ??SEC?). INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND THE PARTIES THERETO. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement (when available) and other documents filed by Clear Channel at the SEC??s website at
http://www.sec.gov. The proxy statement and other documents may also be obtained for free from Clear Channel by directing such request to Clear Channel, Inc., Investor Relations, 200 E. Basse Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209, Telephone (210) 822-2828.
Clear Channel and its directors, executive officers and other members of its management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from its shareholders in connection with the proposed merger. Information concerning the interests of Clear Channel??s participants in the solicitation, which may be different than those of Clear Channel shareholders generally, is set forth in Clear Channel??s proxy statement for its 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in the proxy statement relating to the merger when it becomes available.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current Clear Channel management expectations. Those forward-looking statements include all statements other than those made solely with respect to historical fact. Numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Clear Channel and others following announcement of the merger agreement; (3) the inability to complete the merger due to the failure to obtain shareholder approval or the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the merger, including the receipt of shareholder approval and expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976; (4) the failure to obtain the necessary debt financing arrangements set forth in commitment letters received in connection with the merger; (5) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the merger; (6) the ability to recognize the benefits of the merger; (7) the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the merger and the actual terms of certain financings that will be obtained for the merger; and (
the impact of the substantial indebtedness incurred to finance the consummation of the merger; and other risks that are set forth in the ??Risk Factors,? ??Legal Proceedings? and ??Management Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition? sections of Clear Channel??s SEC filings. Many of the factors that will determine the outcome of the subject matter of this press release are beyond Clear Channel??s ability to control or predict. Clear Channel undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (NYSE:CCU) is a global media and entertainment company specializing in "gone from home" entertainment and information services for local communities and premiere opportunities for advertisers. Based in San Antonio, Texas, the company's businesses include radio, television and outdoor displays. More information is available at
www.clearchannel.com.
