Yes, CEO Jeff Smulyan is politically connected in Washington, but you’ve probably guessed that this eight-year renewal is not in the United States. Emmis Communications has won an eight-year extension of its radio station in Slovakia.
Emmis won the right to continue to operate radio station Rádio Expres in Slovakia from the Slovakian licensing body, the Council for Broadcasting and Retransmission.
“We are very gratified by the decision,” Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan. “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,” said Eva Babitzova, General Manager of the station. “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.
