COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 513112

Radio Stations

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

36companies1851–1997founding years34still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedThe New York Times Company
1851
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedJefferson-Pilot Corporation
1907
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedRogers Communications Inc.
1920
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedEMAP plc
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedRoularta Media Group NV
1954
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedBonneville International Corporation
1964
FoundedChrysalis Group plc
1968
FoundedMorris Communications Corporation
1970
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
FoundedGrupo Televisa, S.A.
1972
FoundedCanWest Global Communications CorporationFoundedCapital Radio plc
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedEmmis Communications Corporation
1980
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedSpanish Broadcasting System, Inc.
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedIXC Communications, Inc.FoundedMediaNews Group, Inc.
1985
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedCitadel Communications Corporation
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedHispanic Broadcasting Corporation
1992
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedCumulus Media Inc.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
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

The New York Times Company →
Active · founded 1851
The New York Times Company (NYTC) is a diversified media company including newspapers, magazines, television and radio…
The New York Times Company →
Active · founded 1851
The New York Times Company (NYTC) is a diversified media company including newspapers, magazines, television and radio…
Jefferson-Pilot Corporation →
Active · founded 1907
Jefferson-Pilot Corporation is a major U.S.
Jefferson-Pilot Corporation →
Active · founded 1907
Jefferson-Pilot Corporation is a major U.S.
Rogers Communications Inc. →
Active · founded 1920 · Canada
The largest communications company in Canada, Rogers Communications Inc.
Rogers Communications Inc. →
Active · founded 1920 · Canada
The largest communications company in Canada, Rogers Communications Inc.
EMAP plc →
Active · founded 1947 · United Kingdom
EMAP plc is a world-leading publisher of specialty and business-to-business magazines, with such titles as FHM, Smash…
EMAP plc →
Active · founded 1947 · United Kingdom
EMAP plc is a world-leading publisher of specialty and business-to-business magazines, with such titles as FHM, Smash…
Roularta Media Group NV →
Active · founded 1954 · Belgium
Roularta Media Group NV is a Belgian-based media conglomerate.
Roularta Media Group NV →
Active · founded 1954 · Belgium
Roularta Media Group NV is a Belgian-based media conglomerate.
Bonneville International Corporation →
Active · founded 1964
Bonneville International Corporation operates Salt Lake City's KSL-TV and also KCSG-TV in St.
Bonneville International Corporation →
Active · founded 1964
Bonneville International Corporation operates Salt Lake City's KSL-TV and also KCSG-TV in St.
Chrysalis Group plc →
Active · founded 1968 · United Kingdom
1970s-80s:Company experiences success with Tull, Blondie, Billy Idol, and other recording artists.
Chrysalis Group plc →
Active · founded 1968 · United Kingdom
1970s-80s:Company experiences success with Tull, Blondie, Billy Idol, and other recording artists.
Morris Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1970
Morris Communications Corporation (MCC) is a mid-sized media company with holdings in diverse media.
Morris Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1970
Morris Communications Corporation (MCC) is a mid-sized media company with holdings in diverse media.
Grupo Televisa, S.A. →
Active · founded 1972 · Mexico
1920s:Emilio Azcarraga Vidauretta opens one of Mexico's first radio stations.
Grupo Televisa, S.A. →
Active · founded 1972 · Mexico
1920s:Emilio Azcarraga Vidauretta opens one of Mexico's first radio stations.
CanWest Global Communications Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1973 · Canada
CanWest Global Communications Corporation is Canada's largest private sector television broadcaster.
CanWest Global Communications Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1973 · Canada
CanWest Global Communications Corporation is Canada's largest private sector television broadcaster.
Capital Radio plc →
Active · founded 1973 · United Kingdom
London-based Capital Radio plc is one of the United Kingdom's leading radio and media groups.
Capital Radio plc →
Active · founded 1973 · United Kingdom
London-based Capital Radio plc is one of the United Kingdom's leading radio and media groups.
Emmis Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1980
Emmis Communications Corporation is a diversified media company with interests in radio, television, and publishing.
Emmis Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1980
Emmis Communications Corporation is a diversified media company with interests in radio, television, and publishing.
Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
The Florida-based Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.
Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
The Florida-based Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.
IXC Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
IXC Communications, Inc., is among five "new-age carriers" (a group including Frontier Corporation, Level 3…
IXC Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
IXC Communications, Inc., is among five "new-age carriers" (a group including Frontier Corporation, Level 3…
MediaNews Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
MediaNews Group, Inc., is the seventh largest newspaper company in the United States.
MediaNews Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
MediaNews Group, Inc., is the seventh largest newspaper company in the United States.
Citadel Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1991
Citadel Communications Corporation ranks among the top six owners of U.S.
Citadel Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1991
Citadel Communications Corporation ranks among the top six owners of U.S.
Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation →
Active · founded 1992
1960s:Heftel family owns and operates a radio station, KSSK-AM, in Hawaii.
Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation →
Active · founded 1992
1960s:Heftel family owns and operates a radio station, KSSK-AM, in Hawaii.
Cumulus Media Inc. →
Active · founded 1997
Since it was established in 1997, Cumulus Media Inc.
Cumulus Media Inc. →
Active · founded 1997
Since it was established in 1997, Cumulus Media Inc.
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