One of the country's earliest state radio networks, LRN was launched in 1974 as the Louisiana Network by five investors — Tim Patton, Rhett and Ann McMahon, John Brewer, and John Keogh. The network offered live, hourly newscasts via leased broadcast circuits, or dedicated long-distance telephone lines, to 12 charter affiliates. Stations in Ferriday, Oak Grove and Farmerville were among the first affiliates, several of which remain with the network. After assembling the broadcast and electronic equipment, the McMahons and Brewer constructed a studio and small office. Once the studio was linked to the broadcast circuits leased from
South Central Bell, the first LRN newscast aired in October 1974. Brewer and Ann McMahon wrote and announced 13 daily newscasts Monday-Friday for the first year. Though the newscasts originally were timed by hand, the network used a control clock synchronized with
Greenwich Mean Time to maintain accurate broadcast schedules. The LRN staff began expanding in 1975 with the hiring of a full-time sales manager and a farm director in 1976.
Gulf Coast expansion In 1978, LRN and the
Georgia Network formed Interstate Communications Inc. and launched the Florida Network. Separately, LRN bought the fledgling Mississippi Network (MN) in 1980 and moved its operations from the outskirts of
Jackson, Mississippi, to a new downtown office and studio space closer to the
Mississippi State Capitol, where MN reporters conducted a majority of newsgathering.
College sports Beginning in the mid-1980s, LRN has at various times offered radio play-by-play broadcasts rights for several Louisiana universities. With the Mississippi Network, LRN was among the country’s first regional radio networks to acquire university sports broadcasting rights. LRN also pioneered the combination of game-day broadcasts with advertising and stadium sales of game-day programs, now common for the industry. LRN held the network rights for LSU sports from 1994-2006. In 2000, LRN acquired
Tiger Rag Magazine, which bills itself as "the Bible of LSU sports." The magazine offers game previews and recaps, in-depth interviews and photos. It is known for its extensive LSU football recruiting coverage and insider information. In 2005, the magazine's operations were moved into LRN's offices. The two companies are based in the Court Plaza Building, located south of downtown Baton Rouge and LSU. In 2016, the magazine launched
Tiger Rag Extra in addition to its main publication.
Tiger Rag Extra covers recruiting and game analysis, along with the food, fashion and passion of LSU sports. In 2019,
Tiger Rag launched
Tiger Rag TV, an hour long, in-depth look at LSU sports. The weekly show features recognized sports guests and coaches from throughout Louisiana, with emphasis on fans, tailgating, and the rich history of LSU sports. Engster serves as one of the program's hosts, along with
Tiger Rag editor Ron Higgins, associate editor Tyler Nunez and Louisiana Radio Network news and sports director Jeff Palermo and WAFB-TV weekend reporter Chelsea Leblanc.
Technology upgrades In 1983, LRN became one of the first regional radio networks to move from leased broadcast circuits to
satellite transmission. The network refined a system that used a much smaller portion of a single satellite
transponder. The new method lowered costs and allowed LRN to sublease its satellite equipment to other companies that still use it for their own communications. Uplink facilities were built in Jackson, Mississippi, and in Baton Rouge to transmit programming from both networks. By 1985, LRN installed more than 150 downlinks to affiliates in both states.
Consolidation, ownership change LRN began consolidating operations in the mid-1980s, selling its stake in the Florida Network to the Georgia Network. It also sold the Mississippi Network and the associated college-sports contracts. The company name was returned to Louisiana Network Inc. In April 2010,
Jim Engster, a long-time Baton Rouge journalist and radio talk-show host, bought a controlling interest in the network after getting final approval from the
Federal Communications Commission. Engster is now owner and president of Louisiana Radio Network. Engster worked for the network as a reporter, news director and talk-show host from 1983-1998. He returned in 2006 as general manager. Engster hosts "Talk Louisiana" on
WRKF, National Public Radio. == Tiger Rag ==