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Cumulus Media Networks

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For other uses, see Cumulus Media Networks (disambiguation).
ABC Radio
TypeRadio network
Country
 United States
AvailabilityNational, through regional affiliates
OwnerCitadel Broadcasting
Launch date
1921 (WJZ operated an early network using Western Union lines.)
Former names
NBC Blue Network (1927-1945)
Official website
abcradionetworks.com

ABC Radio Networks, known as ABC Radio for short, is an American radio network. The network syndicates some of the most famous personalities in American radio, like Sean Hannity and Don Imus. It is a unit of Citadel Broadcasting, licensing the ABC brand from The Walt Disney Company, the network's former owner.

History

File:ABC Radio 1.gif
The ABCRadio.com logo used on 22 ABC O&O stations' websites before merger with Citadel Broadcasting.

ABC has its origins in an early network set up by WJZ in New York which provided programs to other stations over Western Union lines. WJZ (originally owned by Westinghouse) and its network were absorbed into the National Broadcasting Company in 1927; WJZ's network was known as the Blue Network while WNBC's was known as the "Red Network." The two NBC networks were both owned by the Radio Corporation of America, but were forced to separate when the Federal Communications Commission declared them a monopoly in 1940. Both networks were "branded" on the air as "NBC, the National Broadcasting Company" but internally and to advertisers they were referred to as the "Red" and "Blue" networks. Preparing for the divestiture, the operation which became ABC began being branded on-air as "The Blue Network." It was renamed to the American Broadcasting Company, Inc. in 1945 (after the company purchased the rights to the name from Storer Broadcasting.

From 1933 to 1968, ABC/Blue Network carried Don McNeill's Breakfast Club, one of the first and longest-running morning radio programs in the country, hosted by Don McNeill.

John F. Kennedy assassination bulletin

ABC Radio broadcast the first nationwide report of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy was shot in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas at 18:30 UTC on November 221963 and ABC Radio's Don Gardiner anchored the network's initial bulletin at 18:36:50 UTC, minutes before any other radio or television network did the same. From ABC Radio News headquarters in New York, Gardiner interrupted Doris Day's recording of "Hooray for Hollywood" to tell listeners at 13:36:50 EST (UTC-5):

"We interrupt this program to bring you a special bulletin from ABC Radio. Here is a special bulletin from Dallas, Texas. Three shots were fired at President Kennedy's motorcade today in downtown Dallas, Texas. This is ABC Radio. To repeat, in Dallas, Texas, three shots were fired at President Kennedy's motorcade today. The president now making a two-day speaking tour of Texas. We're going to stand by for more details on the incident in Dallas. Stay tuned to your ABC station for further details. Now we return you to your regular program."[1]

Split into four networks

ABC fed hourly radio newscasts to affiliates at :55 past the hour until January 1,1968, when the singular ABC radio network "split" into four separate and distinct programming services. The "American Contemporary Network," on major-market music stations such as WABC New York, aired news at :55. "American Information Network" news ran at the top of the hour. ABC's "FM" network carried news geared toward younger listeners at :15 past, while the "American Entertainment Network" had news at the bottom of the hour.

Before the "split," ABC obtained a waiver of the FCC's "Chain Broadcasting" rule, which forced the sale of NBC's Blue network and enabled ABC's creation in 1943. Though each of the four new "networks" were carried on the same 5 kHz telco line, the move allowed ABC to have as many as four affiliates in one city – a major competitive advantage and a dramatic turning point in the history of network radio. However, the FCC insisted that there be no overlap of any ABC network broadcast in a single market, and the network required affiliates to get approval before any delayed broadcast of network programming. Two additional news networks, "Rock" and "Direction," which carried news at :45 past the hour, were added on January 4, 1982.

Today, only Information and Entertainment remain as separate newscast services, with their programming delivered via satellite. The "Information" network newscasts clear on major-market stations like WABC New York, KABC Los Angeles, WLS Chicago, WBAP Ft. Worth/Dallas, KGO San Francisco, WMAL Washington, and WJR Detroit (all of which are owned by ABC). "Entertainment" network news airs mainly on small and medium-market stations. These ABC News Radio newscasts originate from the news division's bureaus in New York, Washington and Los Angeles and air exactly at the top of the hour. They are no longer identified on air by their brand name.

ABC Radio acquired Watermark Inc., best known as the syndicator of American Top 40 with Casey Kasem and American Country Countdown with Bob Kingsley, in 1982. Kasem left ABC in 1988, reclaiming the American Top 40 name from ABC in 1998, and selling the AT40 brand to AMFM Radio Networks (later absorbed intro Premiere Radio Networks). Kingsley left ABC in 2005 and 'ACC' continues to air as part of the ABC stable with Kix Brooks as host since 2006. Dick Bartley joined the network in 1991 with the AT40 spinoff American Gold and his live Saturday night oldies show.

ABC launched a foray into talk radio with ABC Talk Radio (similar to rival NBC's Talknet) in the 1980s. Among its most notable hosts were Tom Snyder and Barry Farber. However, the rising popularity of conservative political talk radio, fueled by The Rush Limbaugh Show, led to the network's demise. After Snyder's retirement in 1992, ABC ostensibly filled the slot with Leslie Marshall, at the time the youngest syndicated host ever, but most major affiliates instead picked up Limbaugh. The network was shut down shortly thereafter.

ABC again began building a talk network, this time with an emphasis on political talk, in 2001. Among the first hosts heard on the new ABC talk network were Sam Donaldson of ABC News television, Sean Hannity of WABC, Larry Elder of KABC, and John Batchelor of WABC. Donaldson left his show after a short time. Mark Levin was added in 2005 and eventually replaced Elder in 2007, and Mark Davis had a brief syndication run on the network in 2005. Hannity has been the most successful, displacing Laura Schlessinger as the most popular host in the time slot within a few years.

Sale to Citadel

In 2005, ABC began to explore the sale of its radio division. The two leading competitors for the purchase of the network, which included twenty-two of ABC Radio's top stations, as well as ABC's talk and music networks, were Bala Cynwyd-based Entercom Communications and Forstmann Little & Company's Citadel Broadcasting unit. Citadel was chosen as the top bidder and the deal to purchase the stations and the network was struck in February 2006.[2] The deal did not include Radio Disney, ESPN Radio (or its spanish counterpart ESPN Deportes Radio), or the five ESPN Radio stations currently owned by Disney. However, Citadel owns several ESPN stations in small to mid-size markets including WYOS in Binghamton, New York, and KESP in Modesto, California. Disney's ABC News unit will also still produce ABC News Radio programming for distribution by Citadel.[3] Despite the change in ownership, ABC Radio still lists "ESPN Radio" & "ESPN Deportes" as part of the ABC Radio family, although Radio Disney is no longer considered so.[4]

The acquisition of ABC Radio by Citadel Broadcasting was officially completed on June 122007.[5]

Shortly after the ABC/Citadel merger, the "FM" network was reactivated. It now provides an hourly two-minute newscast, similar in format to when the network formerly operated. Those newscasts end with the "ABC News" branding.[6]

The former ABC stations have sustained severe financial problems, and on March 1, 2008, hundreds of personalities were dismissed. As the end result, some of the stations turned to 24-hour satellite formats.

Programming

The following programs can be heard on ABC Radio Networks.

Talk

Music

Multicultural (Urban and Hispanic)

Network properties

Satellite formats

In 1989, ABC Radio Network acquired The Satellite Music Network. To this day, the division, known as "ABC Music Radio," provides 10 satellite-driven formats to affiliate stations, mostly in small & mid-size markets and on major market HD Radio subchannels, however they can also be used on some major market stations as alternate or permanent programming. They could operate their stations virtually unmanned with nothing more than a computer and a satellite hookup offering major market talent that some radio stations could never afford. The "clock" included options for a 2-, 3-, or 5-minute newscasts at the top of the hour, followed by other holes for local spots. While the programming was live, DJ's had to avoid references to the weather or anything else that would not be appropriate in many time zones. An 800-line was eventually added, allowing the live DJ's to take phoned in requests. ABC Radio's 24-hour-music formats include:

Network Ident Format Additional Notes (if any)
The Christmas Channel Christmas Music Available the day before Thanksgiving Day through Christmas Day.
Classic Hits Oldies from 1960s to 1970s Formerly "Pure Gold" and "Oldies Radio"
The Classic Rock Experience Classic Rock
Hits & Favorites Adult Contemporary Formerly known as "Starstation"
Real Country Classic Country
Timeless Oldies/Standards Formerly known as "Stardust" and "Timeless Classics"/"Timeless Favorites"
Today's Best Country Country Formerly known as "Country Coast to Coast" and "Best Country Around"
Today's Best Hits Hot Adult Contemporary Also known as "ABC Hot AC"
The Touch Urban Adult Contemporary
The True Oldies Channel Oldies from 1950s to 1970s

As of June 2008, "ABC Music Radio" is the only remaining slate of commercial music radio networks not owned by Triton Media Group. Triton has purchased the assets of all of ABC's major competitors (Dial Global, Waitt Radio Networks and Jones Radio Networks).

Other Network Holding(s)

Network Ident Format
ABC FM News Short-form News

= Active on terrestrial radio affiliates.
= Active on a seasonal basis.

Former network properties of ABC Radio

Network Ident Format Fate of Network
ABC News & Talk News/Talk Discontinued since September 24, 2007.
ESPN Radio Sports/Talk Retained by Disney in ABC Radio sale, although ABC still maintains a relationship with the network.
ESPN Deportes Radio Spanish Sports/Talk Retained by Disney in ABC Radio sale, although ABC still maintains a relationship with the network.
Jack FM Variety/Adult Hits Spun off to Dial Global.
Radio Disney Children's Radio Retained by Disney in ABC Radio sale.
Rejoice! Musical Soul Food Urban Contemporary Gospel Spun off to Urban Choice Media.
Unforgettable Favorites Soft Oldies/AC Merged into "Timeless" format. Feed still active as seasonal Christmas Channel.
Z Rock Active Rock Discontinued since December 31, 1996.

Becoming environmentally friendly

On April 16, 2008; Citadel Broadcasting (the now parent company of ABC Radio) has become the first organization-wide radio company to join the Environmental Protection Agency's "Green Power Partnership Program" and committs $1 Million (USD) in Educational Green PSAs. As of April 2008, ABC/Citadel's KGO-AM in San Francisco, California has switched to solar power during the daytime hours.[7]

References

  1. ^ ABC Radio JFK Assassination Report
  2. ^ "Citadel to Buy Most of Disney Radio Assets," The Wall Street Journal, February 62006.
  3. ^ "ABC Radio to Merge with Citadel Broadcasting." Official press release. February 62006.
  4. ^ List of radio services from ABCRadioNetworks.com
  5. ^ "Disney and Citadel Announce Completion of ABC Radio Merger" Official Press Release. June 122007
  6. ^ :: Abc Fm News ::
  7. ^ "ABC Radio's Green Power" from ABCRadioNetworks.com April 16, 2008
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