AT&T's "WEAF Chain" Following the
introduction of radio broadcasting in the early 1920s, the
American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) developed the first
radio network, linking together individual stations with specially prepared long-distance
telephone lines in what at the time was called a "chain". The key station was AT&T's
WEAF (now WFAN) in
New York City. The network featured a variety of regularly scheduled programs which included sponsorships (at the time not called advertising but "toll broadcasting"). From the beginning, AT&T planned to eventually expand nationwide, so that national companies would be able reach large portions of the nation with their brand names and slogans in an efficient manner. At first the network's expansion was slow. In 1924, the
Eveready Hour was broadcast over 12 stations, primarily located in the
U.S. Northeast.
Eveready Hour was the first commercially
sponsored variety show in the history of broadcasting. By 1925, AT&T had linked together 26 stations in its network.
RCA's "WJZ Chain" In 1922, the
Radio Corporation of America (RCA) followed AT&T's network model lead, and formed a small competing network centered on its New York City station,
WJZ (now WABC). However, conflict resulted as RCA had a limited ability to lease lines from AT&T and often had to use telegraph lines to connect stations, which had inferior acoustical properties. reviewed the alleged monopolistic practices of the radio networks. The FCC was concerned NBC Red and NBC Blue were anti-competitive. Because the FCC did not have the power to directly regulate networks, it decided to enact regulations affecting the stations, and adopted standards intended to force NBC to relinquish one of its networks. In 1943, the Supreme Court upheld the FCC's power to enforce its chain broadcasting regulations. As a consequence, NBC Blue was sold to
Edward Noble who later named it the
American Broadcasting Company (ABC).
ABC In 1945, the NBC Blue network was sold to
Edward John Noble, who later renamed it
American Broadcasting Company (ABC). the first ABC
television show to top the list.
Mutual In 1929, a group of four radio stations in the major markets of New York City, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Detroit organized into a loose confederation known as the Quality Network. In 1934 this was reorganized as the Mutual Broadcasting System. The network was organized with the members contracting for telephone-line transmission facilities and agreeing to collectively enter into contracts with advertisers for their networked shows.
Westwood One News Radio news network launched on January 1, 2015, and operated by
Westwood One through its parent company
Cumulus Media. ==Canadian national networks==