Infinity Broadcasting Corporation
Infinity Broadcasting Corporation was a major United States radio company that operated from 1972 until its rebranding as CBS Radio in 2005.
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Overview
Infinity Broadcasting Corporation was a United States radio broadcasting company established in 1972 by former Metromedia executives Michael A. Wiener and Gerald Carrus. It began with the acquisition of KOME, an FM station serving the San Francisco Bay Area, and developed through a combination of station purchases, portfolio expansion, public-market activity, and corporate transactions. The company became one of the most prominent owners and operators of commercial radio stations in the United States, particularly in large metropolitan markets. During its early decades, Infinity built a reputation for acquiring influential stations and developing recognizable programming formats and personalities. Its holdings included stations in San Francisco, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Tampa, Dallas, and other major markets. The portfolio included properties associated with personalities such as Howard Stern, Opie and Anthony, Don Imus, and Mike Francesa. The company’s business was principally based on the ownership and operation of terrestrial AM and FM radio stations, with advertising sales and programming serving as core commercial activities. Mel Karmazin became Infinity’s president in 1981 and was a central figure in the company’s expansion. Under his leadership, Infinity acquired additional stations and pursued a more aggressive national growth strategy. It became publicly traded in 1986, was taken private by Karmazin and other executives in 1988, and returned to public ownership in 1992. By 1993, the company had expanded to 22 radio stations. Changes to United States broadcast-ownership rules following the Telecommunications Act of 1996 enabled still greater consolidation, and Infinity’s portfolio eventually reached approximately 75 stations. Infinity was acquired by Westinghouse Electric Corporation, the owner of CBS, in a transaction valued at approximately $4.9 billion that was completed on December 31, 1996. The business was integrated into the CBS Radio Group, with Karmazin becoming its president and later chairman and chief executive. CBS subsequently revived Infinity as a publicly traded corporate vehicle in 1998 through a separation of radio and outdoor-advertising assets. The offering raised approximately $2.87 billion, according to the cited historical account. The company’s ownership changed again when Viacom acquired CBS in 2000. Viacom retained an 80 percent interest in Infinity at the time and later acquired the remaining shares in 2002, making Infinity a wholly owned subsidiary. Under Viacom, Infinity expanded through the acquisition of 18 radio stations divested by Clear Channel Communications in connection with Clear Channel’s combination with AMFM Incorporated. Its outdoor-advertising operations were separated and ultimately renamed Viacom Outdoor. Karmazin resigned from Viacom in May 2004 after disagreements with Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone. Infinity continued under Viacom ownership until December 14, 2005, when it reverted to the CBS Radio name as part of the re-created CBS Corporation. The Infinity corporate identity therefore ceased to function as the name of the radio operating company, although the name and logo were later used in limited online and trademark-preservation contexts. CBS Radio was eventually sold to Entercom in 2017; Entercom later became Audacy. The historical Infinity name has also been reused by Audacy for later sports and syndication initiatives, but those activities are distinct from the original Infinity Broadcasting Corporation.
History
Infinity Broadcasting Corporation was formed in 1972 by Michael A. Wiener and Gerald Carrus, both of whom had previously worked for Metromedia. The new company entered the radio business by acquiring KOME, an FM station serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Infinity received the station’s Federal Communications Commission license in 1973, establishing the foundation for a company that would grow through ownership of commercial AM and FM stations. The company expanded selectively during the 1970s. In 1979, it acquired WBCN in Boston, adding an influential station to its developing portfolio. A major change came in 1981, when Mel Karmazin became president. Karmazin had managed New York radio properties for Metromedia and brought an aggressive acquisition and operating strategy to Infinity. The company subsequently acquired several New York stations, including WNEW-FM, WKTU, WZRC, and WFAN, and later added WYSP-FM in Philadelphia. It also absorbed or acquired stations in Houston and Chicago, including KXYZ, WJMK, and WJJD. Infinity entered the public markets in 1986. Within the following year, it expanded its holdings with acquisitions including KROQ-FM in Los Angeles, WJFK-FM in Washington, D.C., WQYK-AM/FM in Tampa, and KVIL-AM/FM in Dallas. Karmazin and three other executives took the company private in 1988, but Infinity returned to public ownership in 1992. By 1993, the company controlled 22 radio stations. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 relaxed restrictions on broadcast-station ownership in the United States. The regulatory change accelerated consolidation across the radio sector and enabled Infinity to build a much larger portfolio, which eventually reached approximately 75 stations. That same period also produced the company’s most important corporate transaction. Westinghouse Electric Corporation, which owned CBS, agreed to acquire Infinity in a deal valued at about $4.9 billion. The transaction closed on December 31, 1996, after which Infinity was integrated into the CBS Radio Group. Karmazin became president of the combined radio operation and later assumed broader leadership responsibilities at CBS. In 1998, CBS separated a portion of its radio and outdoor-advertising holdings under the Infinity Broadcasting name. The associated stock offering was described as the largest media-industry offering of its time and raised approximately $2.87 billion. Infinity’s corporate independence was short-lived. In September 1999, Viacom and CBS agreed to combine after earlier disagreements between Karmazin and Viacom chief executive Sumner Redstone over a possible Infinity-led acquisition of Viacom. Viacom completed the CBS acquisition in May 2000 and retained an 80 percent interest in Infinity. During that year, Infinity also acquired Outdoor Systems and renamed the outdoor business Infinity Outdoor. Viacom used Infinity as a platform for further radio consolidation. It acquired 18 stations from Clear Channel Communications, which was required to divest those properties in connection with its merger with AMFM Incorporated. Infinity also purchased Giraudy SA, a French outdoor-advertising company. In 2002, Viacom bought the shares of Infinity that it did not already own, making Infinity a wholly owned subsidiary. The outdoor-advertising unit was separated from Infinity Broadcasting and eventually renamed Viacom Outdoor. Karmazin resigned from Viacom in May 2004. Public accounts attributed the departure to persistent differences between Karmazin and Redstone, including Karmazin’s difficulty operating as the second-ranking executive within Viacom. After Karmazin’s departure, Infinity continued under Viacom’s corporate structure. On December 14, 2005, the Infinity Broadcasting name was retired for the operating business and replaced by CBS Radio when the radio group became part of the re-created CBS Corporation. The Infinity name did not disappear entirely. CBS Radio used Infinity branding for an online variety-hits station and retained related trademark use through digital platforms. After CBS Radio was sold to Entercom in 2017, Entercom later became Audacy. Audacy has subsequently reused the Infinity name for later sports and syndication initiatives, but those projects are successors or later applications of the trademark rather than a continuation of Infinity Broadcasting Corporation as an independent radio company.
- 2005
Infinity is renamed CBS Radio
[1]The Infinity Broadcasting operating name is retired as part of the re-creation of CBS Corporation.
- 2002
Viacom acquires remaining Infinity shares
[1]Infinity becomes a wholly owned Viacom subsidiary.
- 2000
Infinity becomes part of Viacom
[1]Viacom completes its acquisition of CBS and retains majority ownership of Infinity.
- 1998
Infinity is revived as a public company
[1]CBS separates radio and outdoor-advertising holdings under the Infinity name in a major media stock offering.
- 1996
Westinghouse acquires Infinity
[1]Westinghouse, the owner of CBS, agrees to acquire Infinity in a transaction valued at approximately $4.9 billion.
- 1993
Portfolio reaches 22 stations
[1]Infinity’s radio holdings expand to 22 stations.
- 1992
Infinity returns to public ownership
[1]The company again becomes publicly traded.
- 1988
Management takes the company private
[1]Karmazin and three other executives take Infinity private.
- 1986
Infinity becomes publicly traded
[1]The company enters the public markets while continuing to expand its station portfolio.
- 1981
Mel Karmazin becomes president
[1]Karmazin joins Infinity as president and guides a period of rapid station acquisitions and portfolio expansion.
Products and positioning
A large-scale, acquisition-led commercial radio operator focused on major United States markets, recognizable station brands, and high-profile radio personalities.
Radio broadcasting · 1972
AM radio stations
Infinity owned and operated AM stations in major United States markets. These properties carried talk, news, sports, and other commercial formats, generating revenue primarily through local and national advertising.
Radio broadcasting · 1972
FM radio stations
FM stations formed a central part of Infinity’s portfolio, spanning music, contemporary entertainment, and personality-led programming. Acquisitions included influential stations in markets such as San Francisco, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.
Radio programming
Personality-led radio programming
The company became associated with prominent radio personalities including Howard Stern, Opie and Anthony, Don Imus, and Mike Francesa. Such programming helped differentiate stations and strengthen their audience and advertising value.
Online radio
Infinity Radio online station
After the corporate radio business adopted the CBS Radio name, the Infinity name and logo were used for an online-only variety-hits station and related digital branding intended in part to preserve trademark use.
Brand decisions
2005
Rebrand the radio division as CBS RadioStrategyBackground
Viacom and CBS were separated into a revived CBS Corporation and a newly organized Viacom.
Action taken
Infinity Broadcasting reverted to the CBS Radio name and joined the revived CBS Corporation’s portfolio.
Aftermath
The Infinity corporate identity ceased to represent the operating radio division, although limited digital and trademark uses remained.
2000
Expand through Clear Channel divestituresM&ABackground
Clear Channel Communications was required to divest radio stations in connection with its merger with AMFM Incorporated.
Action taken
Infinity acquired 18 radio stations from Clear Channel.
Aftermath
The acquisition increased Infinity’s presence in multiple United States radio markets under Viacom ownership.
1996
Accept Westinghouse acquisitionM&ABackground
Infinity had expanded into a substantial national radio operator, while changes to broadcast-ownership rules were encouraging consolidation.
Action taken
Infinity agreed to be acquired by Westinghouse Electric Corporation, the owner of CBS, in a transaction valued at approximately $4.9 billion.
Aftermath
The transaction closed on December 31, 1996, and Infinity was integrated into the CBS Radio Group.
Transaction value. (1996)
Sources1 sources
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