Episode 3: The Rise of the Networks: NBC, CBS, and the Shaping of a Medium
RUSC Guide to Old-Time Radio
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| Season: 1 Episode: 3 | |
Step behind the curtain of radio’s golden age! In this week’s episode, we explore how radio transformed from a patchwork of local stations into a coast-to-coast media revolution engineered by powerhouse networks NBC and CBS. Host RUSC takes us back to the 1920s and ’30s, revealing juicy stories of backroom business deals, government-backed monopolies, and how advertisers quietly took over the airwaves.
You'll hear about:
-
The birth of radio giants NBC and CBS—and the surprising role of patent monopolies and government influence
-
How the rise of national programming sidelined quirky local flavors and community voices
-
The behind-the-scenes grip of sponsors and advertisers, and how radio slowly became a vehicle for commercial messages
-
Why decisions made in smoky boardrooms in New York affected what every American family heard at home
-
The impact on American culture, from lost local color to the creation of the first true national audience
It’s a fascinating, eye-opening look at how creativity found ways to shine—despite the big business interests shaping what hit the air. Join us for a deeper dive into radio’s dramatic transformation, and stay tuned for next week as we ask: what truly made the golden age golden? Happy listening!
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Episode Chapters
Step behind the curtain of radio’s golden age! In this week’s episode, we explore how radio transformed from a patchwork of local stations into a coast-to-coast media revolution engineered by powerhouse networks NBC and CBS. Host RUSC takes us back to the 1920s and ’30s, revealing juicy stories of backroom business deals, government-backed monopolies, and how advertisers quietly took over the airwaves.
You'll hear about:
-
The birth of radio giants NBC and CBS—and the surprising role of patent monopolies and government influence
-
How the rise of national programming sidelined quirky local flavors and community voices
-
The behind-the-scenes grip of sponsors and advertisers, and how radio slowly became a vehicle for commercial messages
-
Why decisions made in smoky boardrooms in New York affected what every American family heard at home
-
The impact on American culture, from lost local color to the creation of the first true national audience
It’s a fascinating, eye-opening look at how creativity found ways to shine—despite the big business interests shaping what hit the air. Join us for a deeper dive into radio’s dramatic transformation, and stay tuned for next week as we ask: what truly made the golden age golden? Happy listening!
Step behind the curtain of Old Time Radio with RUSC as we uncover the untold story of how networks like NBC and CBS didn’t just entertain America—they transformed it. This week, we dive deep into the business deals, technological monopolies, and high-stakes power plays that built the foundation of American broadcasting.
Discover how national programming and coast-to-coast connections sidelined local voices, how advertisers quietly took control of what reached the airwaves, and why the golden age of radio was as much about influence as innovation. From patent pools and government interventions to the seismic shift from community stations to slick network giants, we follow the fascinating evolution that turned radio into a cultural—and commercial—powerhouse.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of the classics or just curious about how radio shaped modern media, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on the voices, deals, and drama that defined America’s airwaves.
Tune in and explore the hidden forces behind your favorite old time shows!
