Michigan Regional Network
Encyclopedia
The Michigan Regional Network was an American
regional radio network
, in operation from 1933 to 1946. It is sometimes referred to as the "Michigan State Network" or the "Michigan Regional Network".
The "Michigan Radio Network" also refers to a modern radio network, unrelated to the original "Michigan Radio Network".
The network consisted of WXYZ: Detroit, WIBM
: Jackson, WKZO: Kalamazoo, WJIM
: Lansing, WBCM
: Bay City, WFDF: Flint, WELL:Battle Creek and WASH-FM-WOOD
: Grand Rapids.
The Michigan Regional Network was started by George W. Trendle
on January 31, 1933. It was originally intended to become part of the Amalgamated Broadcasting System
radio network which was established on September 25, 1933. However, the ABS network launch immediately proved to be a public relations disaster, and Amalgamated went out of business on October 28, 1933.
The Michigan Regional Network was the first to broadcast the Lone Ranger
radio series produced by WXYZ, either beginning with, or shortly after its first episode on January 30, 1933. (Sources differ as to when the other stations in the Network began broadcasting WXYZ's Lone Ranger program, some indicate that it was with the first episode while many others indicate an unspecified later date).
The network used telephone lines to connect each station.
Beginning in November 1933, Silvercup Bread (Gordon Baking Company), which sponsored the Lone Ranger program, arranged for WGN
, Chicago to broadcast the program. Early in 1934, WOR
: New York and WLW
: Cincinnati were added.
In September 1934, WOR, WGN, WLW, and WXYZ formalized their relationship with a contract, and the following month, the Mutual Broadcasting System
was established.
In 1946, the newly formed American Broadcasting Company purchased the King-Trendle Broadcasting Company and its radio stations for $3.65 million. This sale was for the broadcast facilities (including WOOD, WXYZ and the Michigan Regional Network).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
regional radio network
Radio network
There are two types of radio networks currently in use around the world: the one-to-many broadcast type commonly used for public information and mass media entertainment; and the two-way type used more commonly for public safety and public services such as police, fire, taxicabs, and delivery...
, in operation from 1933 to 1946. It is sometimes referred to as the "Michigan State Network" or the "Michigan Regional Network".
The "Michigan Radio Network" also refers to a modern radio network, unrelated to the original "Michigan Radio Network".
The network consisted of WXYZ: Detroit, WIBM
WIBM
WIBM is an ESPN Radio branded Sports Talk station in Jackson, Michigan. The station broadcasts at 1450 kHz on the AM dial. Jackson Radio Works owns the station along with news/talk WKHM-AM 970 and hot AC WKHM-FM "K105.3"....
: Jackson, WKZO: Kalamazoo, WJIM
WJIM (AM)
WJIM is a radio station licensed to Lansing, Michigan broadcasting a news-talk format. WJIM began broadcasting in 1934 on 1210 kHz with 250 watts daytime and 100 watts at night, under the ownership of Gross Telecasting...
: Lansing, WBCM
WTCM-FM
WTCM-FM consists of two radio stations: WTCM-FM 103.5 in Traverse City, Michigan and simulcast WBCM 93.5 FM in Boyne City, Michigan. The two stations carry a country music format and are owned by Midwestern Broadcasting. Today, WTCM-FM/WBCM is on or near the top of the Arbitron ratings...
: Bay City, WFDF: Flint, WELL:Battle Creek and WASH-FM-WOOD
WOOD (AM)
WOOD is a news/talk radio station broadcasting at 1300 kHz and 106.9 FM in Michigan, United States. WOOD-AM is licensed to Grand Rapids, Michigan and WOOD-FM to Muskegon, Michigan.-Full-service station:...
: Grand Rapids.
The Michigan Regional Network was started by George W. Trendle
George W. Trendle
George Washington Trendle was a Detroit lawyer and businessman, best known as the producer of the Lone Ranger radio and television programs along with The Green Hornet. He is entombed in Detroit's Woodlawn Cemetery.-Movie theaters:...
on January 31, 1933. It was originally intended to become part of the Amalgamated Broadcasting System
Amalgamated Broadcasting System
The Amalgamated Broadcasting System was a radio network established on September 25, 1933 by two men: American comedian and radio star Ed Wynn, the "Fire Chief" of the original Fire Chief Program program on NBC and CBS; and Hungarian-born violinist Ota Gygi.Wynn had been concerned with two things:...
radio network which was established on September 25, 1933. However, the ABS network launch immediately proved to be a public relations disaster, and Amalgamated went out of business on October 28, 1933.
The Michigan Regional Network was the first to broadcast the Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked Texas Ranger who, with his Native American companion Tonto, fights injustice in the American Old West. The character has become an enduring icon of American culture....
radio series produced by WXYZ, either beginning with, or shortly after its first episode on January 30, 1933. (Sources differ as to when the other stations in the Network began broadcasting WXYZ's Lone Ranger program, some indicate that it was with the first episode while many others indicate an unspecified later date).
The network used telephone lines to connect each station.
Beginning in November 1933, Silvercup Bread (Gordon Baking Company), which sponsored the Lone Ranger program, arranged for WGN
WGN (AM)
WGN is a radio station in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is the only radio station owned by the Tribune Company, which also owns the flagship television station WGN-TV, the Chicago Tribune newspaper and Chicago magazine locally. WGN's transmitter is located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois...
, Chicago to broadcast the program. Early in 1934, WOR
WOR (AM)
WOR is a class A , AM radio station located in New York, New York, U.S., operating on 710 kHz. The station has a talk format and has been owned by Buckley Broadcasting since 1987, after the station was sold by RKO. The station has conservative, or right-of-center hosts.Its call letters have no...
: New York and WLW
WLW
WLW is a clear channel talk radio station located in Cincinnati, Ohio, run by Clear Channel Communications. The station broadcasts locally on 700 kHz AM...
: Cincinnati were added.
In September 1934, WOR, WGN, WLW, and WXYZ formalized their relationship with a contract, and the following month, the Mutual Broadcasting System
Mutual Broadcasting System
The Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. radio drama, MBS was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow...
was established.
In 1946, the newly formed American Broadcasting Company purchased the King-Trendle Broadcasting Company and its radio stations for $3.65 million. This sale was for the broadcast facilities (including WOOD, WXYZ and the Michigan Regional Network).