Westwood One: Radio Advertising Falls On Hard Times

Westwood One (WON) operates two businesses, both terrestrial radio-based. The traffic division provides customized news and traffic reports, and earns revenues on the short, announcer-read ad spots embedded during these reports. The network division provides longer events such as sports which are then sent to member stations around the country.

This company, and stock, fully deserves its almost-penny stock price. Revenues have been falling for the last 4 years, at nearly double-digit rates. The ad business is brutally competitive, and Westwood faces stiff competition not only from other terrestrial radio operators like Clear Channel (CCU), but also from new media such as satellite radio and the internet. Terrestrial radio's decline as an entertainment medium has also sent ad prices falling.

Add to these problems one of a big debt load. At $330 million, this is almost 3 times the company's market cap! Coverage ratio is barely 3x earnings. There is very little wiggle room if revenues continue to decline, which is unfortunately the most likely scenario.

Magic Formula investors (and any other value types) would be well advised to stay far away from Westwood One in their portfolio.

Disclosure: None