State radio network
Encyclopedia
There are currently 30 state radio networks in the National Association of State Radio Networks. Each network operates on a similar premise but ownership of each network varies. In principle, each individual network provides live satellite fed radio programs to radio stations in their respective state. The networks rarely charge each individual radio station for these programs, but rather barters with each affiliate for commercial radio time. The network subsequently sells this bartered commercial time to local, regional and national advertisers.
Programming on each network tends to focus on news, weather and sports that concern residents of each respective state. For example, The Louisiana Network will distribute news cast and sportscasts that pertain to the state of Louisiana. Programs tend to be between three and five minutes long. Radio stations are allowed to air all or parts of any broadcast but are contractually obligated to carry all commercial inventory. The vast majority of radio stations will air each fed program in its entirety.
The sale of commercial radio time is administered by each individual network on a local (in state) level. National and regional sales are conducted by StateNets Sales located in Homewood, Illinois
.
The Texas State Network (TSN) was the first interconnected network and began broadcasting over 60 years ago. TSN is the oldest and largest state radio network in America, incorporated by Elliott Roosevelt
(Eleanor
's son) and others on August 2, 1938. Five weeks later, TSN's debut broadcast originated from the old Casa Manana in Fort Worth, and featured personalities like Bob Hope
and Texas Governor James Allred, along with a 300-voice choir.
Original programming included soap operas such as Uncle Jeremiah and The Adventures of Gary and Jill. Most of TSN's early programming, like today's, was devoted to news and sports. Nearly 30 network announcers, production personnel. and control room operators produced Grand Prize Beer's Highlights in the World News each day.
Today, TSN provides news, sports, business, weather, agriculture and talk programming to about 130 radio stations, including seven of the affiliates that carried TSN's premier broadcast.
All 30 networks in the National Association of State Radio Networks are interconnected via satellite and distribute programming via downlinks. Most networks have recently begun delivering their programming via the internet. The average network has 55 affiliates.
Many networks are also affiliated with professional and college sports teams. By providing efficient audio delivery, the networks are a major delivery service for dozens of college and university sports programs. They also make this inventory available for sale.
Programming on each network tends to focus on news, weather and sports that concern residents of each respective state. For example, The Louisiana Network will distribute news cast and sportscasts that pertain to the state of Louisiana. Programs tend to be between three and five minutes long. Radio stations are allowed to air all or parts of any broadcast but are contractually obligated to carry all commercial inventory. The vast majority of radio stations will air each fed program in its entirety.
The sale of commercial radio time is administered by each individual network on a local (in state) level. National and regional sales are conducted by StateNets Sales located in Homewood, Illinois
Homewood, Illinois
Homewood is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 19,543 at the 2000 census. Homewood is a sister city to Homewood, Alabama.- Geography :...
.
The Texas State Network (TSN) was the first interconnected network and began broadcasting over 60 years ago. TSN is the oldest and largest state radio network in America, incorporated by Elliott Roosevelt
Elliott Roosevelt
Elliott Roosevelt was a United States Army Air Forces officer and an author. Roosevelt was a son of U.S. President Franklin D...
(Eleanor
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
's son) and others on August 2, 1938. Five weeks later, TSN's debut broadcast originated from the old Casa Manana in Fort Worth, and featured personalities like Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
and Texas Governor James Allred, along with a 300-voice choir.
Original programming included soap operas such as Uncle Jeremiah and The Adventures of Gary and Jill. Most of TSN's early programming, like today's, was devoted to news and sports. Nearly 30 network announcers, production personnel. and control room operators produced Grand Prize Beer's Highlights in the World News each day.
Today, TSN provides news, sports, business, weather, agriculture and talk programming to about 130 radio stations, including seven of the affiliates that carried TSN's premier broadcast.
All 30 networks in the National Association of State Radio Networks are interconnected via satellite and distribute programming via downlinks. Most networks have recently begun delivering their programming via the internet. The average network has 55 affiliates.
Many networks are also affiliated with professional and college sports teams. By providing efficient audio delivery, the networks are a major delivery service for dozens of college and university sports programs. They also make this inventory available for sale.