Cumulus/Telos Exclusive Keeps Dealer Involved

Is this a model of things to come in the supply industry?
Last fall, Clear Channel expanded the use of direct buying from selected equipment vendors. Now Cumulus Broadcasting, the second-largest owner of stations at 260, has chosen Telos/Omnia Audio as its exclusive supplier of audio processing equipment. It will standardize on Omnia processors, and treat Telos as a preferred supplier of ISDN codecs and broadcast phone gear, according to the supplier.
But the deal has a twist. Instead of buying direct, as in many such exclusive deals, Cumulus will buy those products exclusively from Broadcasters General Store.
Gary Kline is corporate director of engineering for Cumulus.