Cable Radio Network
Encyclopedia
CRN Digital Talk Radio Networks, sometimes simply referred to as CRN or CRN Digital Talk, is a syndicator and distributor of radio programs and talk radio networks. Its legal name, and former branding, is Cable Radio Networks, Inc.
The content is primarily talk radio
programming, produced both in house and from syndicated sources.
CRN broadcasts seven audio feeds. It is distributed, as its former name implies, mostly through various cable television
providers, much in the way the more widely available Music Choice
is distributed. However, it is also available via Ku band
satellite and on the Internet
.http://www.crntalk.com/default.aspx?nid=2&date=10/27/2007&pid=0
At one time, CRN announced new channels CRN7 and CRN8, but CRN7's debut was delayed for several years, not debuting until late 2010 and CRN8 never materialized. Air America Media was heard on CRN4 (replacing TRN) from November 2009 until the network's 2010 collapse. CRN6 was previously used by the now-defunct National Radio Network
, which primarily consisted of rebroadcasts of CRN shows.
media market
. Originally offering a single satellite-delivered analog programming feed, CRN primarily featured adult contemporary music, providing cable television operators with audio programming suitable for use as a soundtrack to their 24-hour computer-generated information kiosk channels (such as the original, full-screen version of Prevue Guide). Cable operators frequently utilized CRN for secondary purposes as well, including on-hold telephone audio applications, and as background audio for Public-access television
cable TV channels during non-programming hours. In addition to adult contemporary music programming, CRN also aired nighttime talk shows, including cable television-related discussion forums such as "Cable Talk." Audio from Prime Ticket's telecasts of Los Angeles Kings
hockey
games, and occasional remote broadcasts from such events as the Western Cable Show and a Special Olympics
fundraiser that starred comedian Rich Hall
, were also featured.
Horn is still a host at CRN, hosting "The PM Show", "The PM Show With Robert Conrad
," and "What's Cookin" with Paul Stern.
CRN was the home of "Talk Back" with George Putnam
until Putnam's 2008 death. Up until 2006 or so, Los Angeles-based local programs such as John and Ken
and The Loose Cannons
were also carried on the network. Until November 2009, programming from Talk Radio Network
(most notably The Laura Ingraham Show
and The Savage Nation
) was heard on CRN (mostly on CRN4, with overflow airing on CRN2 and CRN5), but without explanation, the two parties failed to reach an agreement to continue carrying TRN on CRN. Air America Media replaced TRN on the CRN4 channel. TRN programs eventually returned in 2010 after the foldings of both Air America and the National Radio Network
, which ran on CRN6 and consisted mostly of relays of other network programs.
cable TV providers. (One example is Time Warner Cable
in the Los Angeles
suburbs.)
The content is primarily talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
programming, produced both in house and from syndicated sources.
CRN broadcasts seven audio feeds. It is distributed, as its former name implies, mostly through various cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
providers, much in the way the more widely available Music Choice
Music Choice
Music Choice is a United States company that programs music and produces music-related content for digital cable, cell phones, and cable modem subscribers in the US. Music Choice programs dozens of audio music channels for digital cable subscribers, as well as programs and produces music-related...
is distributed. However, it is also available via Ku band
Ku band
The Kμ band is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies. This symbol refers to —in other words, the band directly below the K-band...
satellite and on the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
.http://www.crntalk.com/default.aspx?nid=2&date=10/27/2007&pid=0
Programming and Channels
- CRN1: This channel is the flagship of the CRN network, and the most widely distributed. CRN1 features all of CRN's in-house programs, such as Barry FarberBarry FarberBarry M. Farber is an American conservative radio talk show host, author and language-learning enthusiast. In 2002, industry publication Talkers magazine ranked him the 9th greatest radio talk show host of all time. He has also written articles appearing in the New York Times, Reader's Digest,...
, Pat Baccili, Chuck Wilder, What's Cookin', What's Cookin' On Wine, What's Cookin' on wine: The Oregon Report, Les' Wines and Vines, The PM Show, Sports Corner, and several weekend programs, as well as syndicated programs, such as Doug StephanDoug StephanDoug Stephan is an American radio talk show personality and hosts the nationally syndicated Doug Stephan's Good Day.-Radio Programs:Doug Stephan's Good Day is a "call-in" and interview show airing live Monday through Saturday featuring a fast paced format covering variety of topics...
, Doug McIntyreDoug McIntyreDoug McIntyre is the host of "Talking the News" on 77 WABC New York City , the lead-in morning drive show before "Imus in the Morning." He also hosts the four-hour radio talk show "Doug McIntyre's Red Eye Radio", syndicated across the United States on Cumulus Media Networks, and is the page one...
and Dennis PragerDennis PragerDennis Prager is an American syndicated radio talk show host, syndicated columnist, author, and public speaker. He is noted for his conservative political and social views emanating from conservative Judeo-Christian values. He holds that there is an "American Trinity" of essential principles,...
. - CRN2: The feed used by Sports Byline USASports Byline USASports Byline USA is a national sports radio network based in the United States. Sports Byline USA is also the name of the flagship program on the network. It was launched on October 24, 1988. Sports Byline USA is located in San Francisco, California...
, though The Laura Ingraham ShowThe Laura Ingraham ShowThe Laura Ingraham Show is a three-hour American radio show hosted by conservative commentator Laura Ingraham on Talk Radio Network. , the show is broadcast live on Channel 2, from 9 a.m...
and The Thom Hartmann Show are also aired on the channel. - CRN3: The feed used for the conservative-oriented Christian Salem Radio NetworkSalem Radio NetworkSalem Radio Network is a United States-based radio network that specializes in syndicated Christian talk, music, and secular news/talk programming...
's programming, which includes Mike GallagherMike GallagherMike Gallagheris an American radio host and conservative political commentator. He is the host of The Mike Gallagher Show, a nationally-syndicated radio program that airs throughout the United States on Salem Radio Network and is also a FOX News Channel Contributor and guest host...
, Dennis PragerDennis PragerDennis Prager is an American syndicated radio talk show host, syndicated columnist, author, and public speaker. He is noted for his conservative political and social views emanating from conservative Judeo-Christian values. He holds that there is an "American Trinity" of essential principles,...
, Hugh HewittHugh HewittHugh Hewitt is an American radio talk show host with the Salem Radio Network, lawyer, academic, and author. An outspoken Republican, evangelical Christian, he comments on society, politics, and media bias in the United States. Hewitt is also a law professor at Chapman University School of Law.-...
and Michael MedvedMichael MedvedMichael Medved is an American radio host, author, political commentator and film critic. His Seattle, Washington-based nationally syndicated talk show, The Michael Medved Show, airs throughout the U.S...
. - CRN4: The feed used by the conservative-oriented Talk Radio NetworkTalk Radio NetworkTalk Radio Network is an American radio network providing talk radio programming, with an emphasis on conservative talk on weekdays and variety/general interest talk radio on weekends. Some of the most recognizable personalities in American radio, such as Laura Ingraham and Michael Savage, are...
. Programming on this feed includes Dennis MillerDennis MillerDennis Miller is an American stand-up comedian, political commentator, actor, sports commentator, and television and radio personality. He is known for his critical assessments laced with pop culture references...
, Mancow's Morning MadhouseMancow's Morning MadhouseMancow’s Morning Madhouse is an American radio show hosted by Erich “Mancow” Muller. The show is broadcast to a number of markets of mainly FM radio stations throughout the United States....
, Jerry Doyle, The Savage NationThe Savage NationThe Savage Nation is an American radio show hosted by conservative commentator Michael Savage on Talk Radio Network. His show is heard by 8-10 million listeners a week and syndicated across the U.S. in over 300 markets, making it the 3rd most listened to radio show in the country...
, Rusty HumphriesRusty HumphriesRalph E. "Rusty" Humphries is an American radio host, conservative political commentator, and songwriter. Humphries' nationally-syndicated radio show, The Rusty Humphries Show, based in Atlanta, Georgia, airs on over 250 stations through Talk Radio Network.-Career:Humphries has hosted as a...
, and The Phil Hendrie ShowThe Phil Hendrie ShowThe Phil Hendrie Show is a comedy talk radio program. The show is syndicated throughout North America on Talk Radio Network. It is known for outrageous guests, the majority of whom are fictional and voiced live by the host, Phil Hendrie...
; CRN replays also air on this channel, especially on weekends. - CRN5: The feed used primarily by the conservative-oriented Radio America, featuring Roger HedgecockRoger HedgecockRoger Allan Hedgecock is a conservative talk radio host and former mayor of San Diego, California. His show is syndicated by Radio America. Hedgecock still resides in San Diego...
and G. Gordon LiddyG. Gordon LiddyGeorge Gordon Liddy was the chief operative for the White House Plumbers unit that existed from July–September 1971, during Richard Nixon's presidency. Separately, along with E. Howard Hunt, Liddy organized and directed the Watergate burglaries of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in...
. Lou DobbsLou DobbsLouis Carl "Lou" Dobbs is an American journalist, radio host, television host on the Fox Business Network, and author. He anchored CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight until November 2009 when he announced on the air that he would leave the 24-hour cable news television network.He was born in Texas and lived...
, Doug McIntyreDoug McIntyreDoug McIntyre is the host of "Talking the News" on 77 WABC New York City , the lead-in morning drive show before "Imus in the Morning." He also hosts the four-hour radio talk show "Doug McIntyre's Red Eye Radio", syndicated across the United States on Cumulus Media Networks, and is the page one...
, and some of TRN's weekend programs are also heard on this channel. - CRN6: Spanish languageSpanish languageSpanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
programming. - CRN7: Christmas musicChristmas musicChristmas music comprises a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season, which tends to begin in the months leading up the actual holiday and end in the weeks shortly thereafter.-Early:...
and replays of CRN programs.
At one time, CRN announced new channels CRN7 and CRN8, but CRN7's debut was delayed for several years, not debuting until late 2010 and CRN8 never materialized. Air America Media was heard on CRN4 (replacing TRN) from November 2009 until the network's 2010 collapse. CRN6 was previously used by the now-defunct National Radio Network
National Radio Network (USA)
National Radio Network is a defunct commercial radio network in United States. It is owned and operated by Langer Broadcasting, which is located in Framingham, Massachusetts, and was operated from flagship station WSRO...
, which primarily consisted of rebroadcasts of CRN shows.
History
CRN was founded in 1983 by Michael Horn, a veteran programmer and disc jockey in the Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
media market
Media market
A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area , Television Market Area , or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content...
. Originally offering a single satellite-delivered analog programming feed, CRN primarily featured adult contemporary music, providing cable television operators with audio programming suitable for use as a soundtrack to their 24-hour computer-generated information kiosk channels (such as the original, full-screen version of Prevue Guide). Cable operators frequently utilized CRN for secondary purposes as well, including on-hold telephone audio applications, and as background audio for Public-access television
Public-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
cable TV channels during non-programming hours. In addition to adult contemporary music programming, CRN also aired nighttime talk shows, including cable television-related discussion forums such as "Cable Talk." Audio from Prime Ticket's telecasts of Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
games, and occasional remote broadcasts from such events as the Western Cable Show and a Special Olympics
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries....
fundraiser that starred comedian Rich Hall
Rich Hall
Richard "Rich" Hall is an American comedian, writer and musician.-Early life and career:Hall was born in Alexandria, Virginia and grew up in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He is part Cherokee Indian...
, were also featured.
Horn is still a host at CRN, hosting "The PM Show", "The PM Show With Robert Conrad
Robert Conrad
Robert Conrad is an American actor. He is best known for his role in the 1965 CBS television series The Wild Wild West, in which he played the sophisticated Secret Service agent James T. West, and his portrayal of World War II ace Pappy Boyington in the television series Baa Baa Black Sheep...
," and "What's Cookin" with Paul Stern.
CRN was the home of "Talk Back" with George Putnam
George Putnam (newsman)
George Putnam was an American television news reporter and talk show host based in Los Angeles. He was known for his catchy phrase "See ya at ten, see ya then" intro prior to a broadcast of the news.-Biography:...
until Putnam's 2008 death. Up until 2006 or so, Los Angeles-based local programs such as John and Ken
John and Ken
John Chester Kobylt and Kenneth Robertson Chiampou, known professionally as John and Ken are American talk radio hosts of a four-hour weekday radio show, The John and Ken Show, on KFI AM 640 in Southern California. The John and Ken Show airs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m....
and The Loose Cannons
Steve Hartman (sportscaster)
Steve Hartman is currently the host of a national sports talk show on Fox Sports Radio based in Los Angeles, California. He is also the weekend sports anchor on KTLA television in L.A....
were also carried on the network. Until November 2009, programming from Talk Radio Network
Talk Radio Network
Talk Radio Network is an American radio network providing talk radio programming, with an emphasis on conservative talk on weekdays and variety/general interest talk radio on weekends. Some of the most recognizable personalities in American radio, such as Laura Ingraham and Michael Savage, are...
(most notably The Laura Ingraham Show
The Laura Ingraham Show
The Laura Ingraham Show is a three-hour American radio show hosted by conservative commentator Laura Ingraham on Talk Radio Network. , the show is broadcast live on Channel 2, from 9 a.m...
and The Savage Nation
The Savage Nation
The Savage Nation is an American radio show hosted by conservative commentator Michael Savage on Talk Radio Network. His show is heard by 8-10 million listeners a week and syndicated across the U.S. in over 300 markets, making it the 3rd most listened to radio show in the country...
) was heard on CRN (mostly on CRN4, with overflow airing on CRN2 and CRN5), but without explanation, the two parties failed to reach an agreement to continue carrying TRN on CRN. Air America Media replaced TRN on the CRN4 channel. TRN programs eventually returned in 2010 after the foldings of both Air America and the National Radio Network
National Radio Network (USA)
National Radio Network is a defunct commercial radio network in United States. It is owned and operated by Langer Broadcasting, which is located in Framingham, Massachusetts, and was operated from flagship station WSRO...
, which ran on CRN6 and consisted mostly of relays of other network programs.
Hours
The Internet feed is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hours of operation on cable companies vary from area to area. Many providers air programs only during daylight hours, before that channel is given over to public-access televisionPublic-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
cable TV providers. (One example is Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable is an American cable television company that operates in 28 states and has 31 operating divisions...
in the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
suburbs.)