A radio network is a network system which distributes programming to multiple stations simultaneously, or slightly delayed, for the purpose of extending total coverage beyond the limits of a single broadcast signal. The resulting expanded audience for programming essentially applies the benefits of mass-production to the broadcasting enterprise. A radio network has two sales departments, one to package and sell programs to radio stations, and one to sell the audience of those programs to advertisers.
Most radio networks also produce much of their programming. Originally, radio networks owned some or all of the radio stations that broadcast the network's programming. Presently however, there are many networks that do not own any stations and only produce and/or distribute programming. Similarly station ownership does not always indicate network affiliation. A company might own stations in several different markets and purchase programming from a variety of networks.
Radio networks rose rapidly with the growth of regular broadcasting of radio to home listeners in the 1920s. This growth took various paths in different places. In Britain the BBC was developed with public funding, in the form of a broadcast receiving license, and a broadcasting monopoly in its early decades. In contrast, in the United States of America various competing commercial networks arose funded by advertising revenue. In that instance, the same corporation that owned or operated the network often manufactured and marketed the listener’s radio.
Major technical challenges to be overcome when distributing programs over long distances are maintaining signal quality and managing the number of switching/relay points in the signal chain. Early on, programs were sent to remote stations (either owned or affiliated) by various methods, including leased telephone lines, pre-recorded gramophone records and audio tape. The world's first all-radio, non-wireline network was claimed to be the Rural Radio Network, a group of six upstate New York FM stations that began operation in June 1948. Terrestrial microwave relay, a technology later introduced to link stations, has been largely supplanted by coaxial cable, fiber, and satellite, which usually offer superior cost-benefit ratios.
Many early radio networks evolved into Television networks.
Radio Networks in various nations
This is the list of radio networks. For indivisual radio stations, see their respective lists.
Australia
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Barbados
Brazil
- Radio Jovem Pan
- Radio CBN
- Radio Bandeirantes
- BandNews FM
- MiliciaSat (catholic network)
- Radio Globo
- Transamérica Pop, Hits
Brunei
- BFBS Radio 1 Brunei
- Brunei Radio
Canada
Defunct
People's Republic of China
India
- All India Radio (AIR)
- Radio city (91.1)
- Big Fm (92.7)
- Radio One (94.3)
- Radio Mirchi (98.3)
- Red Fm (93.5)
- Surian Fm (93.5)
- h fm (106.4)
Indonesia
- Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI)
Iran
- All Iranian radio (many ch.)
Ireland
Japan
Republic of Korea
Montenegro
New Zealand
Almost all radio stations in New Zealand are part of a radio network and most are network-owned.
- The Edge FM
- More FM
- ZM
- Flava
- Classic Hits
- Solid Gold
- Radio Hauraki
- Viva
- The Breeze
- The Rock
- Radio Live
- Radio Pacific
- Newstalk ZB
- Coast
- Radio Sport
- Tourist Information FM
- Radio New Zealand National
- Life FM
- New Zealand's Rhema
- Southern Star
- Radio New Zealand Concert
Philippines
- ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation
- Advanced Broadcasting Media Broadcasting System
- Aliw Broadcasting Corporation
- AMP Broadcasting Network
- Audiovisual Communicators, Inc.
- Blockbuster Broadcasting System, Inc.
- Bombo Radyo Philippines
- Brainstone Broadcasting Inc.
- Eagle Broadcasting Corporation
- Empire Entertainment
- Far East Broadcasting Company
- FBS Radio Network, Inc.
- GMA Network
- Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation
- Manila Broadcasting Company, Inc.
- Mareco Broadcasting Network, Inc.
- Nation Broadcasting Corporation
- Palawan Broadcasting Corporation
- PBN Broadcasting Network
- Philippine Broadcasting Service, Inc.
- Progressive Broadcasting Corporation
- Quest Broadcasting Inc.
- Radio Mindanao Network
- Radio Philippines Network - Youth 96.3
- Radio Veritas
- Rajah Broadcasting Network - RJ 100 and RJ Underground Radio 105.9
- Raven Broadcasting Corporation
- Real Radio Network, Inc.
- Southern Broadcasting Network, Inc.
- Vanguard Radio Network
Turkey
- All Turkish radio
United Kingdom
British Broadcasting Corporation
United States of America
International
- United Nations Radio
- Radio Rainbow International the voice of peace
See also
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
