Emmis Loses Hungarian National Radio ''Slager''

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

Emmis lost its Hungarian national radio station, Slager, on Wednesday after the National Radio and Television Board (ORTT) awarded the license to a Hungarian political party. Concurrently, they awarded the other national license, Danubius, to the other national political party. Emmis had held the broadcasting license since 1997.

During its 12-year stewardship, Emmis and Slager invested some $170 million (at current exchange rates) in Hungary's economy, while providing employment to its all-Hungarian staff. Emmis said that Slager was consistently the top-rated station in Hungary, reaching 3.5 million listeners per week (out of a population of 10 million).

Emmis Chairman/CEO Jeff Smulyan said, "We are deeply disappointed, not only for Emmis and our people, but most of all for the people of Hungary. Whenever freedom and democracy are taken away, every citizen suffers immeasurably. All of Hungary has suffered today."

Now, Emmis moves into seeking relief in the court systems of Hungary and the European Union. They also join with the Prime Minster of Hungary, the President of Hungary, the head of the Hungarian National Radio and Television Board in denouncing this process as politically corrupt and contrary to the interests of the Hungarian people.