Imus preps radio revival (multimillion-dollar deal w/ Citadel's NY station WABC-AM), eyes TV

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Imus preps radio revival, eyes TV
Radio jock turns dial to WABC
By MICHAEL LEARMONTH

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117974088.html?categoryid=14&cs=1



Embattled radio jock Don Imus is close to inking a multimillion-dollar deal to return to radio with Citadel Broadcasting, owner of ABC Radio Networks.

Deal, expected to be finalized this week, would put Imus back on the air on New York City's WABC-AM, the nation's largest talkradio station, as of Dec. 3.

Imus is seeking a TV element to his radio deal similar to what he had at MSNBC when he was with CBS Radio. That would give him a national platform and, perhaps, the ability to regain some of the high-profile personalities on which he used to depend as guests.

Deal would put Imus in competition with his former employer, CBS Radio, but in a much diminished form. WABC was Imus' main competition in New York when he was on WFAN-FM, but unless Citadel syndicates the show or he lands a TV deal, Imus becomes a well-paid but local personality with limited national pull.