This is the Programming section of
The Broadcast Archive

Maintained by:
Barry Mishkind - The Eclectic Engineer
Updated 10/7/07

It would be a kindness if you'd just send a short note to let me know who you are, and what your interests are. Thanks.

PROGRAMMING ARCHIVE

1. Early Radio Programming (1909-1921)

2. The Rise of Broadcasting (1921-1925)

  • Announcers
  • Program directors
  • Talent
  • The First women, blacks, etc.

3. The Networks - a history of US Program and News networks starting in the mid-1920s.

  • The Major US National Networks
  • Regional Networks
  • "bicycle networks"
  • Miscellaneous networks

4. The Age of Network Programs (1926-1948) 

  • Network Programs and radio plays came from New York, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, etc., and brought the world of education, drama and laughter into homes around the world. Look for information on:
    • Radio Plays.
    • Sound Effects.
    • Programs and Radio Talent.
  • News came to be an integral part of network service to local radio stations. Frank Absher has kindly provided his research into the History of CBS News through WWII.
  • An Announcer's Life in the 40s - Announcers provided the "glue" to the variety of programs from around the country. Bill Roddy's memoirs relate his rise through the ranks in San Francisco.
  • "From jingo-ism to journalism" - The War Years and broadcasting. Radio not only becomes a part of the war effort, but a new approach to news is developed, then surpassed. 
  • Some places to listen: radiolovers.com

5. The Transition Years (1948-1955)

  • The Transition Years (1948-1955) - A discussion by Rich Brother Robbin.
  • FM Tries to make the scene
  • The Cold War  - Radio is discovered to be the perfect medium in the post WWII era for distributing propaganda.
  • Introduction of music formats to replace block programming as radio discovers it cannot compete with television by being "TV without pictures."

6. Power transfers from the networks to the "large groups" (1950 - 1995)

  • As the major networks turned their attention to television, radio became dominated by some large companies, as well as innovative smaller ones. 
  • SCANDAL CITY! - The RKO story - by James Snyder

7. Format City (1955-present)

  • Formats develop and proliferate.

Stations begin to break away from the weakening network programming lineups. Morning and afternoon programs are designed to provide local news, weather, and other elements that made the station "local." Among the famous programs that had been operating for years, William B. Williams in New York. A newer "model" using impromptu comedy as a foundation was pioneered by Steve Allen (among others) in the 1940s, and developed in the 1950s by Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding (in New York) and The Joy Boys (Willard Scott and Ed Walker) in Washington.

  • Perspectives on Formats:
  • The PD as head DJ
  • The Introduction and Rise of Consultants - May 3, 1965
    • Bill Drake - Boss Radio
  • FM Finally Catches on
  • Automation - Machines Doing Radio
    • A Short History of Automation
    • From the Seaberg 50 to computer servers.
  • Jingles - those musical signatures that identify stations,
                some jingles are as famous as songs! - by Ken R.
  • Contests
    • From "Name It And Claim It" to "Song of the Day" to "A (nationwide) chance to win $1,000,000"

8. Music Licensing

  • a) early days
  • b) ASCAP
  • c) BMI
  • d) SESAC
  • e) other

9. Ratings.

  • The need to measure the audience
  • Early efforts
  • Hooper
  • Nielsen
  • ARB
  • Birch
  • other ratings services