For Immediate Release
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Contact: Karen Dynes
Emmis Communication Corp 317.266.0100
Emmis Lands 8-Year Extension of License in Slovakia
Indianapolis…Emmis Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: EMMS) has been granted an 8-year extension of its license to operate radio station Rádio Expres in Slovakia by the Slovakian licensing body, the Council for Broadcasting and Retransmission.
“We are very gratified by the decision,” Jeff Smulyan, President & CEO of Emmis Communications said. “We are proud of our team at Rádio Expres. They have set the very highest standards in Slovakian broadcasting, and today’s decision recognizes their accomplishments. We are delighted that Rádio Expres will be serving the people of Slovakia for many more years!”
“Rádio Expres is the most popular station in Slovakia, with the largest over the air audience and largest station website reaching over 1.5 million Slovaks weekly,” Eva Babitzova, general manager of the station, said. “The new license is good news not only for the hard-working team at the station, but primarily for the loyal listeners of Rádio Expres.”
The station, launched in January 2000 with Emmis acquiring the license in 2005, features popular music, news and entertainment. Its web page (www.expres.sk) is the most visited of all Slovakian radio stations. Rádio Expres broadcasts from Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia and is heard throughout the country. In addition to the 8-year extension of the license, the company also was awarded an option for an additional 8-year extension.
Emmis Communications Corporation is a diversified media company, principally focused on radio broadcasting. Emmis operates the 8th largest publicly traded radio portfolio in the United States based on total listeners. As of February 28, 2010, Emmis owns and operates seven FM radio stations serving the nation’s top three markets – New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, although one of Emmis’ FM radio stations in Los Angeles is operated pursuant to a Local Marketing Agreement whereby a third party provides the programming for the station and sells all advertising within that programming. Additionally, Emmis owns and operates fourteen FM and two AM radio stations with strong positions in St. Louis, Austin (Emmis has a 50.1% controlling interest in Emmis’ radio stations located there), Indianapolis and Terre Haute, IN.