ABC Radio

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ABC Radio is a US-based radio network. The network syndicates some of the biggest names in American radio, like Sean Hannity and Don Imus. It is a unit of Citadel Broadcasting and uses, with permission, the branding of the American Broadcasting Company, who owned the network from 1945 until June 12, 2007.

[edit] History

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. 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' in 1945 (after the company purchased the rights to the name from Storer Broadcasting.

[edit] 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 told 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]

[edit] Splitting 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, KGO San Francisco, WMAL Washington, WJR Detroit, and WBAP Ft. Worth/Dallas (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.

[edit] 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 or ESPN 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, KKML in Colorado Springs, 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" 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]

[edit] Programming

ABC Radio Networks also distributes Paul Harvey News and Comment, which originates from Chicago. The Harvey broadcast was for many years a mainstay of the Entertainment network.

Political opinions expressed on ABC Radio shows tend to be conservative, which is the norm for American talk radio. Programs distributed by ABC Radio currently include The Sean Hannity Show, The Mark Levin Show, The Ric Edelman Show, Moneytalk with Bob Brinker, The Tom Joyner Show, The Doug Banks Morning Show, The Michael Baisden Show and Imus in the Morning.

Music programs include Todd Pettengill at the 80s, American Gold and Rock & Roll's Greatest Hits with Dick Bartley, American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks and Flashback with Bill St. James. A great deal of Spanish language programs, including shows hosted by Daddy Yankee and Thalía are distributed by ABC.

[edit] Music Formats

In 1989, ABC Radio Network acquired The Satellite Music Network. To this day, it provides 10 music formats to affiliate stations, mostly in small and medium markets, or as alternate programming to major market affiliates that either is in the midst of changing local formats or has technical difficulties. 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. ABC Radio's 24-hour-music formats include:

• Hits & Favorites (Adult Contemporary)
• The Classic Rock Experience (Classic Rock)
• Today's Best Hits (Hot Adult Contemporary)
• Jack FM (Variety)
• Today's Best Country (Country)
• Real Country (Classic Country)
• Timeless Favorites (Standards)
• The Touch (Urban Adult Contemporary)
• Oldies Radio (Oldies from 1960s to 1970s)
• The True Oldies Channel (Oldies from 1950s to 1970s)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official site
• Radio Stations formerly owned by Disney/ABC