Infinity Broadcasting Corporation

Former radio company

Infinity Broadcasting Corporation

Company type| Subsidiary
Industry| Radio broadcasting, Outdoor advertising
Founded| 1972; 52 years ago (1972)
Founder| Michael A. Wiener
Gerald Carrus
Defunct| 2005; 19 years ago (2005)
Fate| Acquired by CBS
Successors| CBS Radio
Audacy, Inc.
Headquarters|

New York City, New York

Area served

| United States

Key people

| Mel Karmazin
Parent| CBS Corporation (1997–2000)
Viacom (2000–2005)
Website| infinityradio.com

Infinity Broadcasting Corporation was a radio company that existed from 1972 until 2005. It was founded by Michael A. Wiener and Gerald Carrus. It became associated with popular radio personalities like Howard Stern, Opie and Anthony, Don Imus and Mike Francesa. Infinity merged with CBS Corporation in 1997 and later became part of Viacom in 2000, when CBS and Viacom merged, serving as the radio division of CBS. After the Viacom split in 2005, Infinity changed its name to CBS Radio; the company would later merge with Entercom, presently known as Audacy, Inc.

## History

[edit]

### Formation and pre-merger

[edit]

Infinity was founded in 1972 by two former Metromedia executives Michael A. Wiener and Gerald Carrus, with the acquisition of KOME, an FM radio station that served the San Francisco Bay Area, and finally received its license by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) a year later.[1] In 1979, Infinity acquired WBCN in Boston.

In 1981, Mel Karmazin was brought in as new president. Karmazin oversaw the operation of New York's WNEW-AM (now WBBR) and WNEW-FM for Metromedia. Soon after, the company acquired fellow New York stations WNEW-FM, WKTU (now WINS-FM; the present-day WKTU is owned by iHeartMedia), WZRC, and WFAN the following years, followed by WYSP-FM in Philadelphia. In 1983, Infinity absorbed KXYZ in Houston and WJMK and WJJD in Chicago.

Infinity became a publicly traded company in 1986. Within a year, it had purchased six more stations: 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 company executives took the company private in 1988 and took it public again in 1992.[2] In 1993, Infinity was expanded to 22 radio stations.[how?][clarification needed][citation needed]

### Merger with CBS and Viacom

[edit]

As a result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which loosened ownership restrictions of broadcast stations, Infinity was able to quickly acquire more stations, gradually increasing its portfolio to 75 stations.

In 1996, it was announced that Westinghouse Electric Corporation (which owned CBS) would acquire Infinity Broadcasting. Karmazin had attempted to acquire CBS, but Michael Jordan, CEO of Westinghouse, refused to sell the firm to Karmazin but instead agreed to buy Infinity. The $4.9 billion deal was completed on December 31, 1996.[3] As a result of the Westinghouse purchase, Infinity was merged into the CBS Radio Group, with Karmazin as president. Karmazin soon became chairman and CEO of CBS Radio, and took the control of the CBS television network.

Shortly after, Westinghouse sold its non-broadcasting assets and renamed itself as CBS Corporation. In 1998, CBS decided to spin off a portion of its radio and outdoor advertising holdings as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, once again bringing the Infinity name back to the public. The stock offering was the largest in the media industry at the time and raised $2.87 billion.

The most significant move during 1999, however, was the deal struck with Viacom in September. Sumner Redstone, CEO of Viacom, shot down Karmazin's offer to buy Viacom. Karmazin then offered CBS to Redstone, who eventually made a $37 billion proposal to merge the two companies. Viacom completed the CBS Corp. purchase in May 2000, and it retained 80% ownership of Infinity. In that same year, Infinity acquired Outdoor Systems and renamed it Infinity Outdoor.

Under the new ownership by Viacom, Infinity acquired 18 radio stations from its competitor, Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartMedia), which needed to divest them as part of its own merger with AMFM Incorporated. The company also purchased Giraudy SA, an outdoor advertising company based in France. In 2002, Viacom acquired the remaining shares of Infinity that it did not already own, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. At that time, Infinity Outdoor was separated from Infinity Broadcasting and renamed Viacom Outdoor.

### Departure of Mel Karmazin and Epilogue

[edit]

Karmazin resigned in May 2004, due to many differences with Redstone.[4] Karmazin later said he didn't get along with Redstone and found it difficult to be "No. 2" at a company, but particularly under Redstone. The two executives continued to snipe at each other through the media even a year after Karmazin left Viacom.[5]

On December 14, 2005, Infinity Broadcasting reverted to CBS Radio, and joined with the CBS and UPN networks (the latter of which would later merge with former rival network The WB to form The CW), Paramount's television properties, Showtime Networks, Viacom Outdoor, Simon & Schuster, and Paramount Parks into a revived CBS Corporation. At that time, CBS Corp. spun off the "new" Viacom, which included MTV Networks, BET, and Paramount Pictures, among other assets. CBS Radio was sold to Entercom (now Audacy, Inc.) on November 17, 2017.[6]

The Infinity Radio name and logo were used for an online-only variety hits station on CBS Radio's streaming platform, InfinityRadio.com and Radio.com, to maintain trademark rights. As of 2021 the infinityradio.com website resolves to audacy.com which still preserves the current trademark registration. In April 2024, the Infinity brand was repurposed by Audacy for its Infinity Sports Network, after its transitional rights to the CBS Sports branding expired.[7]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Barry, David, "Jim Hard: He Played a Part in How the West Was Won--By FM Radio," Business Journal-San Jose, April 2, 1990, p. 12.
2. ^ "History of Infinity Broadcasting Corporation – FundingUniverse".
3. ^ Kamen, Robin, "To Infinity and Beyond: Mel Takes on CBS," Crain's New York Business, November 24, 1997, p. 1.
4. ^ ""Mel Karmazin, Champion For Howard Stern Resigns" by Corey Deitz at About.com". Archived from the original on 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
5. ^ [1] "Sirius Fun: Mel Karmazin finds new media is a lot like what he used to love," an article by Devin Leonard in Fortune magazine, November 14, 2005
6. ^ "Entercom Sets Friday Morning Close For CBS Radio Merger". Insideradio.com. Retrieved 2017-11-17.
7. ^ "CBS Sports Radio to Become the Infinity Sports Network". barrettsportsmedia.com. April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Infinity Radio official website
* SEC filing (Form S-4) relating to split

* v
* t
* e

CBS Radio

Merged with Entercom in 2017

AM Radio Stations|

* KCBS
* KDKA
* KFNQ
* KHTK
* KIKK
* KILT
* KMOX
* KNX
* KRAK
* KRLD
* KXNT
* KXST
* KYW
* KZDG
* WAOK
* WBBM
* WBZ
* WCBS
* WCCO
* WFAN
* WINS
* WJFK
* WJZ
* WPHT
* WQAM
* WSCR
* WTIC
* WWJ
* WXYT

FM Radio Stations|

* KALV-FM
* KAMP-FM
* KCBS-FM
* KDKA-FM
* KEGY
* KEZK-FM
* KEZN
* KFRC-FM
* KFRG
* KHMX
* KILT-FM
* KITS
* KJAQ
* KJKK
* KKHH
* KLLC
* KLOL
* KLUC-FM
* KLUV
* KMLE
* KMNB
* KMPS-FM
* KMVK
* KMVQ-FM
* KMXB
* KNCI
* KOOL-FM
* KRLD-FM
* KROQ-FM
* KRTH
* KSFM
* KTWV
* KVFG
* KVIL
* KXFG
* KXQQ-FM
* KXTE
* KYKY
* KYMX
* KYXY
* KZJK
* KZOK-FM
* KZZO
* WBBM-FM
* WBMP
* WBMX
* WBZ-FM
* WBZZ
* WCBS-FM
* WCFS-FM
* WDCH-FM
* WDOK
* WDSY-FM
* WDZH
* WFAN-FM
* WIAD
* WIP-FM
* WJFK-FM
* WJMK
* WJZ-FM
* WKIS
* WKRK-FM
* WLIF
* WLZL
* WNCX
* WNEW-FM
* WOCL
* WODS
* WOGL
* WOMC
* WOMX-FM
* WPGC-FM
* WPOW
* WQAL
* WQMP
* WRCH
* WTDY-FM
* WTIC-FM
* WUSN
* WVEE
* WWMX
* WXRT
* WXTU
* WXYT-FM
* WYCD
* WZGC
* WZLX
* WZMX

Radio Networks|

* Boston Bruins Radio
* CBS News Radio
* CBS Sports Radio
* New York Yankees Radio

Digital properties|

* Radio.com
* Eventful
* Last.fm
* Play.it

See also
Infinity Broadcasting Corporation (former company name)

* v
* t
* e

Paramount Global

Corporate directors|

* Shari Redstone (Non-Executive Chair)

CBS
Entertainment
Group|

| Flagship assets|

* CBS
* CBS Sports
* CBS Sports HQ
* CBS Sports Network
* The CW (12.5%)

|

BET Media Group|

* BET
* BET Her
* BET Jams
* BET Soul
* VH1
* BET+

CBS News
and Stations|

* CBS News
* CBS News Radio
* CBS O&O
* KCBS-TV
* KCNC-TV
* KDKA-TV
* KOVR
* KPIX-TV
* KTVT
* KYW-TV
* WBBM-TV
* WBZ-TV
* WCBS-TV
* WCCO-TV/KCCW-TV
* WFOR-TV
* WJZ-TV
* WWJ-TV
* Ind.
* KCAL-TV
* KMAX-TV
* KPYX
* KSTW
* KTXA
* WBFS-TV
* WKBD-TV
* WLNY-TV
* WPKD-TV
* WPSG
* WSBK-TV
* WTOG
* WUPA
* Start TV
* WBXI-CD
* Network
* Fave TV

Production &
distribution|

* CBS Studios
* Big Ticket Entertainment
* CBS Eye Animation Productions
* Late Night Cartoons, Inc.
* CBS Media Ventures
* Dabl
* CBS Home Entertainment

Digital media|

* CBS MoneyWatch
* CBS Sports Digital
* CBSSports.com
* 247Sports
* MaxPreps
* CBS Watch
* Last.fm

Streaming|

* Paramount+
* original programming
* original films
* Showtime
* Pluto TV
* Noggin
* CBS News 24/7
* CBS Sports HQ

U.S. media
networks|

| MTV Entertainment Group|

* Comedy Central
* CMT
* CMT Music
* Logo TV
* MTV
* MTV2
* MTVU
* MTV Classic
* MTV Live
* Tr3s
* MTV Entertainment Studios
* MTV Animation
* Paramount Network
* Pop TV
* Smithsonian Channel
* Showtime Networks
* Showtime
* The Movie Channel
* Flix
* TV Land

|

Nickelodeon Group|

* Nickelodeon
* Nick at Nite
* Nick Jr. (block)
* Nick Jr. Channel
* NickMusic
* Nicktoons
* TeenNick
* Production
* Awesomeness
* Nickelodeon Animation Studio
* Nick Digital
* Avatar Studios
* Paws, Inc.

Paramount
Pictures|

* Paramount Animation
* Paramount Players
* Nickelodeon Movies
* Paramount Home Entertainment
* Paramount Music
* United International Pictures (50%)
* Miramax (49%)
* Republic Pictures

International
networks|

* v
* t
* e

Paramount Networks Americas

Pan-American|

* Comedy Central
* MTV
* Club MTV
* MTV 00s
* MTV 80s
* MTV Hits Europe
* MTV Live
* Nickelodeon
* Nick Jr.
* NickMusic
* TeenNick
* Paramount Network
* Telefe Internacional

Brazil|

* Comedy Central
* MTV
* MTV 00s
* MTV Live
* Nickelodeon
* Nick Jr.
* NickMusic
* Paramount Network
* Telefe Internacional

Argentina|

* Telefe
* Córdoba
* Rosario
* Santa Fe

Production arms|

* Porta dos Fundos (51% JV)
* TIS Productions (majority stake)

Defunct|

* MTV Brasil
* MTV Hits Brazil
* MTV Hits Latin America
* MTV Jams
* MTV Puerto Rico (licensed)
* Nick 2
* Nicktoons
* Smithsonian Channel
* VH1 Brazil
* VH1 Classic Europe
* VH1 Classic United States
* VH1 Europe
* VH1 HD
* VH1 Latin America
* VH1 MegaHits
* VH1 Soul

See also|

* Paramount Global
* Paramount Media Networks
* Paramount International Networks

* v
* t
* e

Paramount Networks EMEAA

MTV|

* MTV Africa
* MTV Base
* France and Francophone
* Germany
* Global
* Club MTV
* MTV 00s
* MTV 80s
* MTV 90s
* MTV Hits
* MTV Live
* India
* Israel
* Italy
* MTV Music
* Japan
* Netherlands
* Poland
* Portugal
* Spain
* Switzerland
* Taiwan
* UK
* Ireland
* MTV 80s
* MTV 90s
* MTV Hits
* MTV Music

Nickelodeon|

* Arab world
* Africa
* Asia
* Malaysia
* Philippines
* Central/Eastern Europe
* Ukraine
* Croatia
* Serbian
* Slovenia
* Denmark
* Europe
* Flanders
* France and French-speaking Switzerland
* Nickelodeon Junior
* Nickelodeon Teen
* Germany
* Austria
* German-speaking Switzerland
* Greece
* Nickelodeon Plus
* Iberia
* Israel
* Italy
* Netherlands
* NickMusic
* Poland
* Scandinavia
* Sweden
* Turkey
* Wallonia
* Pakistan
* TeenNick

| Nick Jr.|

* Arab world
* Africa
* CIS, Ukraine and Georgia (previously Russia and Belarus)
* Germany, Austria and Switzerland
* Greece
* Israel
* Italy
* Netherlands
* Portugal
* Scandinavia
* Southeast Asia
* Turkey

|

Nicktoons|

* Arab world
* Africa
* Europe
* Germany
* Netherlands
* Scandinavia

Comedy Central|

* CIS and Georgia
* Flanders
* France
* Germany
* Austrian subfeed
* Swiss subfeed
* Hungary
* Italy
* Netherlands
* Poland
* Polsat Comedy Central Extra
* Romania
* Spain

Paramount Network|

* Czech Republic
* Netherlands
* Spain

Other|

* BET
* Ego
* Game One
* Hot Comedy Central
* J-One
* JVs with AMC Networks International
* CBS Europa
* CBS Reality
* Super!

Defunct|

* 5Spike
* CBS Action Poland
* Comedy Central
* Extra
* Family Netherlands
* Sweden
* Kindernet
* MTV
* Adria
* Africa
* Australia and New Zealand
* Austria
* Belgium
* Czech Republic and Slovakia
* China
* Denmark
* Eesti
* Finland
* Greece
* Hungary
* Indonesia
* Lithuania and Latvia
* Middle East
* New Zealand
* Nordic
* Norway
* Pakistan
* Philippines
* Original
* MTV Pinoy
* MTVph
* Romania
* Russia, CIS and Georgia
* Southeast Asia
* Sweden
* Thailand
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* MTV Base
* MTV Brand New
* Italy
* Netherlands
* MTV Classic
* Australia and New Zealand
* Italy
* Poland
* Club MTV
* Australia
* MTV Hits
* Australia and New Zealand
* Italy
* MTV Idol
* MTV Music
* Greece
* Poland
* MTV Music 24
* MTV Plus
* MTV Pulse
* France
* Italy
* MTV Rocks
* MTV2 Pop
* Nickelodeon Russia
* QOOB
* The Box
* The Music Factory
* Flanders
* Nederland
* TMF Dance
* TMF NL
* TMF Pure
* VH1
* Denmark
* Europe
* Germany
* Poland
* Italy
* VH1 Classic
* VIVA
* Austria
* Germany
* Hungary

See also|

* Paramount Global
* Paramount Media Networks
* Paramount International Networks
* Paramount Networks UK & Australia
* Rainbow S.p.A. (30%)
* List of Paramount channels

* v
* t
* e

Paramount Networks UK & Australia

United Kingdom
& Ireland|

* Comedy Central1
* Comedy Central Extra
* Legend2
* Legend Xtra
* MTV
* MTV 80s
* MTV 90s
* MTV Hits
* MTV Music
* Nickelodeon
* Nicktoons
* Nick Jr.
* Nick Jr. Too
* True Crime2
* True Crime Xtra

| UK-only|

* Channel 5
* 5Action
* 5Select
* 5Star
* 5USA
* Milkshake!
* My5
* MTV Live

|

Ten Network Holdings
(Australia &
New Zealand)|

| Network 10|

* Adelaide
* Brisbane
* Melbourne
* Perth
* Sydney

|

Multichannels|

* 10 HD
* 10 Bold Drama
* 10 Peach Comedy
* Nickelodeon
* you.tv
* gecko

Other|

* CMT
* Comedy Central
* MTV
* Classic
* Club
* Hits
* Nickelodeon (Australia and New Zealand)
* Nick Jr.
* NickMusic
* OzTAM3

Related|

* Canwest
* Network 10 programs

Defunct|

* 5Spike
* 10 daily
* BET International
* CBS Justice1
* MTV
* Base
* Classic
* Club
* Extra
* Flux
* Music
* OMG
* Rocks
* Shows
* Nicktoonsters
* Smithsonian Channel
* Spike
* Spree TV
* Ten Guide
* TMF
* VH1
* Classic
* VH2
* Viva

* 175% with Sky Group
* 2with AMC Networks International UK
* 333% with Seven Network & Nine Network

Miscellaneous
holdings|

* Bellator MMA
* CBS Broadcast Center
* Ed Sullivan Theater
* Paramount Consumer Products
* Paramount Global Content Distribution
* Philo (unknown stake)
* Porta dos Fundos (51%)
* VidCon
* WhoSay

Defunct/former
holdings|

* AXS TV
* Blockbuster
* BNET
* CBS Cable
* CBS Eye on People
* CBS Films
* CBS Innertube
* CBS Productions
* CBS Radio
* CBS Records
* CBS Telenoticias
* CNET
* Chowhound
* CNET Video
* Download.com
* UrbanBaby
* ZDNET
* SmartPlanet
* TechRepublic
* Comedy Central Films
* ComicBook.com
* DreamWorks
* Epix
* Famous Music
* FindArticles
* Free FM
* GameSpot
* GameFAQs
* GameRankings
* Giant Bomb
* GameTrailers
* Harmonix
* HDNet Movies
* IFilm
* Infinity Broadcasting
* Insurge Pictures
* King World Productions
* Metacritic
* MetroLyrics
* MovieTickets.com
* Neopets
* Nickelodeon on Sunset
* Nick Records
* onGamers
* Paramount Digital Entertainment
* Paramount Famous Productions
* Paramount Parks
* Paramount Stations Group
* Paramount Television Studios
* Paramount Vantage
* Rainbow S.p.A. (30%)
* Bardel Entertainment
* Colorado Film
* Republic Pictures
* Scout.com
* Simon & Schuster
* Shockwave
* Spelling Television
* TV Guide
* TV.com
* Clicker.com
* United Paramount Theatres
* UPN
* USA Network
* VersionTracker
* VH1 Uno
* Viacom18 (13%)
* Viacom Entertainment Store
* Westinghouse Broadcasting
* Westinghouse Licensing
* Worldvision Enterprises

See also|

* CBS Corporation
* Gulf and Western Industries
* National Amusements
* Viacom (1952–2005)
* Viacom (2005–2019)
* Westinghouse Electric Corporation
* History of CBS
* Split of CBS Corporation and Viacom
* 2019 merger of CBS and Viacom
* Proposed merger of Skydance Media and Paramount Global
* Criticism
* News
* Television programs
* Buildings and facilities
* CBS Building
* One Astor Plaza
* Radford Studio Center

* v
* t
* e

Westinghouse

Westinghouse Electric
Corp. (1886–2000)|

| Divisions|

* Advanced Energy
* Astronuclear
* Aviation
* Baldwin
* Broadcasting
* Combustion Turbine
* New England
* White-Westinghouse

|

Subsidiaries|

* British Westinghouse
* Bryant
* Infinity

Successors|

* CBS Corporation
* Viacom (1952–2006)
* Viacom (2005–2019)
* Paramount Global
* Westinghouse Electronics
* Westinghouse Licensing
* Westinghouse Electric Company

Products|

* A2W reactor
* Locomotives (list)
* S2W reactor
* Transit Expressway Revenue Line

People|

* George Westinghouse

Related topics|

* Electrification of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad
* George Westinghouse Award
* George Westinghouse Medal
* Regeneron Science Talent Search
* Westinghouse Air Brake Building
* Westinghouse Tower
* Westinghouse Works, 1904

Related companies|

* Westinghouse Air Brake
* Westinghouse Brake and Signal
* Westinghouse Rail Systems
* WABCO Vehicle Control Systems

* Category
* Commons

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