In 2020, radio marked a century of entertaining, informing and serving their local audience.
The enduring value of radio cannot be overstated - it is an intrinsic part of the fabric of American life.
From protecting the foundations of democratic ideals and delivering lifesaving information during emergencies, to playing the music, entertainment and sports that make us feel connected to our communities, listeners have always counted on radio to be there for them. And artists depend on radio to get their music to the masses, turning musicians into superstars.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating your favorite radio moments using the hashtag #Radio100 across social media. Here’s to more than 100 wonderful years of radio, and to at least 100 more!
In turbulent times, Americans have always turned to radio for news they can trust. In 100 years of radio, one of the most trusted voices was that of Edward R. Murrow.
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As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States, radio stations across the country moved quickly to focus their programming on news, emergency information and resources related to the crisis. We spoke to Levi May, director of Branding and Programming at KRMG Tulsa, about how daily life at a local radio station has changed in the wake of the coronavirus.
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As stay-at-home practices continue during the COVID-19 pandemic, local radio stations are providing listeners with a valuable connection to the community and to each other even when self-isolating.
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As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States, radio stations across the country moved quickly to focus their programming on news, emergency information and resources related to the crisis. We spoke to Renee Nash, director of News and Public Affairs at WHUR-FM Washington, D.C., about how daily life at a local radio station has changed in the wake of the coronavirus.
Read the Story »In uncertain times, Americans have always turned to their local radio stations for news and a sense of community. Perhaps the most well-known example of radio bringing listeners together during a crisis is President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s iconic fireside chats.
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For decades, Americans have turned to radio for breaking news and emergency information during uncertain times. As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, listeners are again tuning in to their local stations for news that is helping them keep safe but also for the human connection that radio provides.
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Radio can reach listeners all the way from space. Astronaut Christina Koch granted an exclusive radio interview while aboard the ISS, demonstrating the connecting power of radio.
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If you turned on the radio in 1975, you’d probably hear “Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain and Tennille or Frankie Valli’s “My Eyes Adored You.” But not on WHUR during the late-night hours. That year, Cathy Hughes, the general manager of Howard University’s radio station, invented the “Quiet Storm” radio format — a late night show featuring a mix of rhythm and blues, soul and jazz, often hosted by a DJ with a soothing, baritone voice. The format quickly grew in popularity, becoming a mainstay on more than 480 stations across the country.
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Whether it's a cherished song that brings back memories or a championship sports game, radio has the ability to bring people together, even when they're miles apart. For 100 years, radio broadcasts have crossed towns, cities and countries to bring us the sense of kinship we'vee come to expect from stations invested in our communities.
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As we reflect on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., we remember the impact his words had on millions around the world. Broadcast stations across the country, covered Dr. King’s speeches, most notably, of course, “I Have A Dream,” delivered on August 28, 1963, at the March on Washington. Radio brought Dr. King’s call for racial justice straight to the living rooms of Americans, and the speech became an important turning point in the civil rights movement.
Read the Story »November 2, 2020 marked the 100th anniversary of the first commercial radio broadcast. To celebrate more than a century of local radio, we’re shining a spotlight on 100 key moments in radio's history.
Moment #1: November 2, 1920
KDKA Makes First Commercial Broadcast
Moment #3: 1971
Bob Uecker Begins His Radio Career
Moment #5: 1947
Groucho Marx Hosts 'You Bet Your Life'
Moment #6: January 1, 1997
Emergency Alert System (EAS) Launches
Moment #7: July 1, 1987
Debut of Country's First 24-hour All Sports Radio Station, WFAN
Moment #8: June 18, 1940
Winston Churchill Delivers 'This Was Their Finest Hour' Speech
Moment #9: October 25, 1954
First Transitor Radio Hits the Consumer Market
Moment #10: June 8, 1954
Elvis Presley Heard on the Radio for the First Time
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