COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 4832

Radio Broadcasting Stations

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

24companies1922–1993founding years22still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedBritish Broadcasting Corporation Ltd.FoundedBritish Broadcasting Corporation Ltd.
1922
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedMuzak, Inc.
1934
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
FoundedHachette Filipacchi Medias S.A.FoundedHachette Filipacchi Medias S.A.
1957
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedSinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
1965
FoundedMultimedia, Inc.FoundedMultimedia, Inc.
1968
FoundedSusquehanna Pfaltzgraff Company
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedClear Channel Communications, Inc.FoundedClear Channel Communications, Inc.
1974
FoundedAckerley Communications, Inc.FoundedWestwood One, Inc.FoundedWestwood One, Inc.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedBloomberg L.P.FoundedSaga Communications, Inc.FoundedSaga Communications, Inc.
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedChancellor Media Corporation
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

British Broadcasting Corporation Ltd. →
Active · founded 1922 · England
The British Broadcasting Corporation Ltd.
British Broadcasting Corporation Ltd. →
Active · founded 1922 · England
The British Broadcasting Corporation Ltd.
Muzak, Inc. →
Active · founded 1934
A fixture of the American soundscape, Muzak, Inc.
Muzak, Inc. →
Active · founded 1934
A fixture of the American soundscape, Muzak, Inc.
Hachette Filipacchi Medias S.A. →
Defunct · founded 1957 · France
The June 1997 fusion of Filipacchi Medias S.A.
Hachette Filipacchi Medias S.A. →
Defunct · founded 1957 · France
The June 1997 fusion of Filipacchi Medias S.A.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1965
Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1965
Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
Multimedia, Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
One of the most profitable media communications companies in the United States, Multimedia, Inc.
Multimedia, Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
One of the most profitable media communications companies in the United States, Multimedia, Inc.
Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff Company →
Active · founded 1970
Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff Company is a holding company whose major subsidiary is The Pfaltzgraff Co., an historic…
Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff Company →
Active · founded 1970
Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff Company is a holding company whose major subsidiary is The Pfaltzgraff Co., an historic…
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1974
A fast-growing, diversified media company, Clear Channel Communications, Inc., operates nearly 200 radio stations and…
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1974
A fast-growing, diversified media company, Clear Channel Communications, Inc., operates nearly 200 radio stations and…
Ackerley Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
Ackerley Communications, Inc.
Ackerley Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
Ackerley Communications, Inc.
Westwood One, Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
The second largest producer and distributor of radio programs in the United States, Westwood One, Inc.
Westwood One, Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
The second largest producer and distributor of radio programs in the United States, Westwood One, Inc.
Bloomberg L.P. →
Active · founded 1986
Bloomberg L.P.
Bloomberg L.P. →
Active · founded 1986
Bloomberg L.P.
Saga Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
In the Nordic language, "saga" means an ongoing adventure.
Saga Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
In the Nordic language, "saga" means an ongoing adventure.
Chancellor Media Corporation →
Active · founded 1993
Consolidation of radio station ownership accelerated dramatically following the passage of the Telecommunications Act…
Chancellor Media Corporation →
Active · founded 1993
Consolidation of radio station ownership accelerated dramatically following the passage of the Telecommunications Act…
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