Radio network

A radio network is a network system which distributes programming to multiple stations simultaneously, or slightly delayed, for the purpose of extending total coverage beyond the limits of a single broadcast signal. The resulting expanded audience for programming essentially applies the benefits of mass-production to the broadcasting enterprise.

Most radio networks also produce much of their programming. Originally, radio networks owned some or all of the radio stations that broadcast the network's programming. Presently however, there are many networks that do not own any stations and only produce and/or distribute programming. Similarly station ownership does not always indicate network affiliation. A company might own stations in several different markets and purchase programming from a variety of networks.

Radio networks rose rapidly with the growth of regular broadcasting of radio to home listeners in the 1920s. This growth took various paths in different places. In Britain the BBC was developed with public funding, in the form of a broadcast receiving license, and a broadcasting monopoly in its early decades. In contrast, in the United States of America various competing commercial networks arose funded by advertising revenue. In that instance, the same corporation that owned or operated the network often manufactured and marketed the listener’s radio.

Major technical challenges to be overcome when distributing programs over long distances are maintaining signal quality and managing the number of switching/relay points in the signal chain. Early on, programs were sent to remote stations (either owned or affiliated) by various methods, including leased telephone lines, pre-recorded gramophone records and audio tape. The world's first all-radio, non-wireline network was claimed to be the Rural Radio Network, a group of six upstate New York FM stations that began operation in June 1948. Terrestrial microwave relay, a technology later introduced to link stations, has been largely supplanted by coaxial cable, fiber, and satellite, which usually offer superior cost-benefit ratios.

Many early radio networks evolved into Television networks.

Radio Networks in various nations

Afghanistan

Australia

Barbados

Brunei

China

Gansu Economy Radio 93.4 FM Guangxi Economic Radio Guizhou Economic Radio 98.9 FM Guizhou People's Radio Guizhou Traffic Radio 95.2 FM HeiLongJiang News 621 AM Henan Communication Radio Henan Culture Radio Henan News Radio Hubei People's Radio Jilin Traffic & Culture 103.8 FM Nanhai People's News 92.4 FM NingXia People's News 891 AM NingXia People's Traffic Radio Pearl Radio Radio Gansu Radio Guangdong Music FM Radio Guangdong Sport Channel Radio Guangdong Stock Market Radio Guangdong Voice of Health Satellite Radio Guangdong Shandong Economy 594 AM / 96FM Shandong Entertainment Radio (MY FM) Shandong Life Radio Shandong News Radio Shandong People's Radio Shandong Sixth Radio Shandong Traffic 101.1 FM Shanghai Radio Tianjin Bibhai Radio Tianjin People's Radio Traffic Radio FM 105.2 Voice of City 107 FM Xizang People's Radio Yunnan People's Radio ZheJiang Culture 99.6 FM ZheJiang Economy 95.0 FM ZheJiang Music 96.8 FM ZheJiang News Radio ZheJiang People's Radio 810 AM ZheJiang Tourism Radio ZheJiang Traffic Radio 93 FM