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National Association of Broadcasters
The Beginning of Talk Radio(1945)
1945

Moment 24: The Beginning of Talk Radio

Barry Gray is widely credited for creating the talk show format. Initially a disc jockey, Gray was working for New York City radio station WOR in 1945 when bandleader Woody Herman called in while Gray was talking about him. Gray broadcast the call and the spontaneous live interview was such a hit with both his listeners and station managers that the talk radio format resulted. Gray subsequently began doing listener call-ins as well.







November 2, 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the first commercial radio broadcast. To celebrate this special anniversary, we’re shining a spotlight on 100 key moments in radio's history.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating your favorite radio memories throughout 2020. Use the hashtag #Radio100 across social media to share these moments with the world. Here’s to 100 wonderful years of radio, and to at least 100 more!


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