RKO Radio Network

RKO Radio Network

The RKO Radio Network, a subsidiary of RKO General, was the first radio network to distribute its programming entirely by satellite. When it began operations on October 1, 1979, it was the first new full-service radio network in 40 years. Satellite distribution allowed high-fidelity (15 KHz) stereo programming to its affiliates.

The newscasts, aimed at a young adult audience, had a conversational, high-energy style developed by co-founders Vice President & News Director Dave Cooke, and Vice President of Programming Jo Interrante.

It initially fed newscasts at :50 and :00, and offered sportscasts, music, and public affairs programming. RKO was very popular from the start, signing up hundreds of affiliates coast to coast.

The original network became known as "RKO 1" when "RKO 2" debuted on September 1, 1981. "RKO 2 fed" newscasts at :20 and :30 and was aimed at an older audience.

The network was home to three groundbreaking long-form programs. "NightTime America with Bob Dearborn" was the first live, daily, satellite-delivered music show in radio history. Dearborn produced and hosted the five-hour adult contemporary show from January 9, 1981 until 1984. January 9, 1981 was also the premier of "America Overnight," a six-hour interview/call-in show hosted by Eric Tracey in Los Angeles and Ed Busch from Dallas. It was the first national talk show delivered by satellite. It also marked the first time a network offered simultaneous overnight programs. Dick Bartley created, produced and hosted the first live national oldies radio show, “Solid Gold Saturday Night.”

The network also aired the last interview with Beatle John Lennon, conducted just hours before his death on December 8, 1980, by Dave Sholin, a San Francisco radio producer who put together specials for RKO.

The RKO Radio Networks were headquartered at 1440 Broadway in New York City, also the home of co-owned WOR-AM. The offices were also the former headquarters of the Mutual Broadcasting System when RKO General owned Mutual. After an advertising billing scandal involving RKO's television stations came to light, the RKO Radio Networks were sold in 1985 to the United Stations Radio Networks. United Stations was merged with Transtar Radio Networks to form Unistar Radio Networks in 1987. Unistar was absorbed by Westwood One in 1994.

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Cooke and Interrante had exceptional ears for air talent and assembled a cadre of young broadcasters from stations across the country to staff the fledging operation. Among RKO Radio Network alumni are:

*Jonathan Aiken - news anchor (later CNN International anchor)
*John Bisney - Washington correspondent (later CNN Radio correspondent)
*Edward Brown - news anchor (later NBC Radio news anchor)
*Karen Chase - Washington correspondent (later ABC Radio news anchor)
*Joe Connolly - news anchor (later WCBS Radio business correspondent)
*Therese Crowley - news anchor (later WCBS Radio anchor)
*Diane Dimond - Washington correspondent (later Court TV and Hard Copy correspondent)
*Richard Davies - London correspondent (later ABC Radio correspondent)
*Joe Ewalt - White House correspondent
*Jeff Finch - news anchor (later NBC Radio news anchor)
*Gil Gross - news anchor (later ABC Radio news anchor)
*Ed Gullo - news anchor
*Ross Klavin - news anchor
*Kirsten Lindquist - Washington correspondent (later CNN anchor)
*Gary MacKenzie - news anchor (later CBS Radio anchor)
*John McConnell - news manager (later ABC Radio vice president)
*Tom Martin - news anchor (later ABC Radio anchor)
*Lou Miliano - London bureau chief (later CBS Radio correspondent)
*Bob Morrison - news anchor (later USA Radio Network news director)
*Harvey Nagler - news manager (later CBS Radio News vice president)
*John Ogle - news anchor (later NBC/Mutual Radio anchor)
*Keith Olberman - sports anchor (later MSNBC anchor)
*Steve Powers - news anchor (later WYNY-TV anchor)
*Rich Rieman - news anchor, Washington bureau chief
*Leslie Sawyer - news anchor
*Michael Schoen - news anchor (later WCBS Radio anchor)
*Dean Sheperd - news anchor
*Charley Steiner - sports anchor (later ESPN anchor)
*Alice Stockton (later WINS Radio anchor)
*Craig Windham - Washington correspondent (later NPR news anchor)
*Jeff Young - news anchor
*Nick Young - news anchor (later CBS Radio anchor)
*Jon Winters - news anchor

ee also

* RKO General
* Transtar Radio Networks
* United Stations Radio Networks


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