Bill Drake and Ron Unkefer's First Broadcasting Network

[HLeae]

Does anyone remember Bill Drake's last major radio partnership?

If memory serves me correctly, it was the Clear Channel announcement at the 1985 Billboard Radio Convention that they were starting a network that doomed First Broadcasting Network's plans and efforts/

 

[Kent]

Does anyone remember Bill Drake's last major radio partnership?

If memory serves me correctly, it was the Clear Channel announcement at the 1985 Billboard Radio Convention that they were starting a network that doomed First Broadcasting Network's plans and efforts/

I remember First Broadcasting got KIKM 96.7 moved into DFW and was planning to run its own programming on it. I also remember it aborting that plan and deciding it was going to go into the business of upgrading stations and selling them. I don't know what that programming plan was, though.

 

[HLeae]

I just spoke to a former Program Director for Ron Unikfer, he/she says:

The person who owned the network was Ron Unikifer out of Dallas.

It never got off the ground.

They did all the things leading up to its start but it failed.

Bill Drake was the QB.

Humble Harve, Charlie Fox, and other major market Talent were scheduled to join the network.

 

[TexasTom]

I remember First Broadcasting got KIKM 96.7 moved into DFW and was planning to run its own programming on it. I also remember it aborting that plan and deciding it was going to go into the business of upgrading stations and selling them. I don't know what that programming plan was, though.

That's a different First Broadcasting. The First Broadcasting that moved KIKM into DFW was responsible for a bunch of move-ins in multiple cities -- their focus was on the technical aspects of the move-ins and on cashing in on the stations once they were moved. Programming was an afterthought. I actually did interview with them for a job once upon a time.

 

[analog420]

That's a different First Broadcasting. The First Broadcasting that moved KIKM into DFW was responsible for a bunch of move-ins in multiple cities -- their focus was on the technical aspects of the move-ins and on cashing in on the stations once they were moved. Programming was an afterthought. I actually did interview with them for a job once upon a time.

No, it was the same company. They were doing both the move-ins/upgrades and starting the network. 101.7 was to have been the flagship of the Oldies network. They put everything together, had the staff on site at their studios in the Arts District, and were doing dry runs of the programming when the plug got pulled. They sold off the move-ins....101.7 Azle went to Z Spanish (later Entravision), and KIKM 96.7 to ABC.

 

[HLeae]

Thanks for the clarification.

Your account is the way I remember it happening.