USA Radio Network

USA Radio Network is an American mass media company, specializing in long-form spoken word (talk radio) and radio newscasts, produced and distributed with a generally conservative focus.

USA Radio Network
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryRadio Broadcasting
FoundedSeptember 15, 1985 (1985-09-15)
FounderMarlin Maddoux
HeadquartersDallas, Texas,
United States
Area served
United States
ParentIndependent (1985–2008)
Information Radio Network (2008–2014)
Cross Platform Media (2014–2015)
Liftable Media (2015–2018)
Nevada Radio (2018–2021)
Exit 9 Group LLC (2021-present)
Websiteusaradio.com

USA Radio Network produces and distributes 24-hour news, news/talk, information, opinion and talk/entertainment radio programming to approximately 1,100 radio stations around the world on two full-time satellite channels and through various digital protocol systems.

It has no connection to NBCUniversal Cable's USA Network.

History

USA Radio Network was established in 1985 by Marlin Maddoux. Maddoux had hosted his own local conservative news talk program, Point of View, in Dallas since 1972.[1] In 1982, the program began broadcasting nationwide on the Satellite Radio Network. Maddoux identified the need for a national news service for radio stations not served by the major networks. The newly chartered USA Radio Network went on the air with its first newscast via satellite on September 15, 1985.[1] Maddoux died on March 4, 2004.[1]

In 2008, USA Radio Network merged its corporate structure under Larry Bates of Memphis, Tennessee, with Information Radio Network, with programming on the two networks remaining separate. The combined company was known as IRN/USA Radio Network. The old IRN became IRN/USA-1, and the two existing USA Radio Network channels became channels 2 and 3. IRN/USA Radio Network went into receivership in 2013 due to the legal issues of its sister company First American Monetary Consultants.[2] Cross Platform Media took over day-to-day management of the network under the direction of the courts until Cross Platform purchased it from receivership in September 2014.

Cross Platform Media immediately removed the IRN moniker, shut down all of IRN's programming, and relaunched the original USA Radio Network brand as the first step in an revitalization program that included overhauling USA Radio News and rebuilding its programming lineup. Russ Jones stepped in as Senior Vice President and News Director to oversee the 24-hour news department.[3]

On October 9, 2015, Liftable Media, a company that specializes in digital and social news websites, acquired USA Radio Networks from Cross Platform Media.[4][5] On October 15, Liftable hired former nationally syndicated conservative talk show host Rusty Humphries as Senior Vice President of Programming.[6]

Nevada Radio, LLC based in Washoe Valley, Nevada, acquired the network in 2018.[7] It then severed ties with Humphries.[8]

Daybreak USA is the network's long-running morning news magazine.[9] The program was replaced by Doug Stephan's Good Day in June 2022.

USA Radio brought Wyatt Cox on board in December 2015 to produce a 24-hour old-time radio Christmas special.[10] Old-time radio broadcasts were a staple of the network for many years, with Wyatt Cox as host since December 26, 2015. The broadcasts aired under the umbrella title "Classic Radio Theater." In May 2023, it was reported that Classic Radio Theater with Wyatt Cox had left USA Radio Network for independent syndication. The following month, Cox announced the program would end on June 30, 2023, in a letter to affiliates.[11]

Mainstay hosts of the network include Wayne Allyn Root, and Ron Seggi.

In July 2023, radio news veteran Rich Johnson exited USA Radio News, leaving his role as Director, News Content. The experienced Johnson told All Access, “We hit a disagreement over the local/national priorities at USA."[12]

References
  1. Jordan, Jamie S. (3 March 2004). "Radio network founder Marlin Maddoux dies". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Hearst Communications. Associated Press. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  2. "Father, Sons Indicted for Defrauding Victims of More Than $18 Million". justice.gov. Memphis, TN: United States Department of Justice. The United States Attorney's Office: Western District of Tennessee. 5 August 2015. Archived from the original on 6 February 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019. A father and two sons were indicted on multiple charges this week for their alleged roles in a scheme that defrauded victims of more than $18 million.
  3. "Russ Jones Named Sr. Vice President of News Operations of IRN/USA Radio Network". prnewswire.com. PR Newswire Association. 1 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019. Cross Platform Media Group, LLC announced today that Russ Jones has been named Sr. Vice President of News Operations for IRN/USA Radio Network and Director of News and Public Relations for Cross Platform Media.
  4. "Liftable Media Announces Acquisition of USA Radio Networks". truthpr.com. TruthPR. 12 October 2015. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2019. ...the CEO of Liftable Media Inc., announced this afternoon the acquisition of USA Radio Networks from Cross Platform Media.
  5. "New USA Radio Networks CEO Floyd Brown Steps Up". allaccess.com. All Access Music Group. 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019. Coming on the heels of ALL ACCESS' report this morning that former USA RADIO NETWORKS owner CROSS PLATFORM MEDIA has filed for bankruptcy comes word from FLOYD BROWN, the new CEO of USA RADIO NETWORKS, which was acquired by LIFTABLE MEDIA last OCTOBER
  6. "NEW NETWORK OWNERS HIRE HUMPHRIES". radioink.com. Radio Ink. 15 October 2015. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2019. Rusty Humphries is the new Senior VP of Programming for the USA Radio Networks, which is now owned by Liftable Media.
  7. "USA Radio: About". usaradio.com. USA Radio Network. Archived from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019. In April 2018, Nevada Radio LLC acquired the assets of Anthem Broadcasting, which previously owned USA Radio Network.
  8. "Tuesday, May 2, 2017". talkers.com. Talkers Magazine. 2 May 2017. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2019. After the recent departure of host Rusty Humphries, Liftable Media announces it brings talk radio pro Ernie Brown aboard as the new host of "Trending Today USA."
  9. "USA Radio Networks: Daybreak USA". usaradio.com. USA Radio Network. Archived from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019. Hosts Rodd William Stowell and Rachel Marie have been talking to America for decades and now bring their popular morning show to the USA Radio Networks.
  10. "Christmas On The Radio". christmasradio.com. 22 July 2019. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019. Classic Christmas Radio Theater was a family-friendly spoken word program.
  11. "'Classic Radio Theater' To End June 30th". All Access - Net News. All Access Music Group. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  12. "Rich Johnson Exits USA Radio News". All Access - Net News. All Access Music Group. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.

Further reading
  • "Maranville Sues Cross Platform Media for Back Wages". radio-online.com. RADIO ONLINE. 14 October 2015. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019. Former Cross Platform Media (CPM) Chief Content Officer and Director of Channel Development Tim Maranville (pictured) has filed suit against CPM, which is also the parent company of USA Radio Networks.
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