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Talk Radio networks based in Tampa

S

smedge2006

One forgotten corner of local radio history is the number of national satellite-distributed talk radio networks that were based in Tampa.

There was the Sun Radio Network, which started with Chuck Harder, and IBN, which was started by Sonny Bloch after he left Sun, and continued until he was busted for various shenanigans.

Someone told me there was a third network in the mid-90's, the Gulf Breeze Radio Network, which rented a satellite channel and hired a staff, but never had any affiliates and went out of business after a month. Anybody know anything about this?
 
Smedge...

More info on the Independent Broadcasters Network. IBN was sort of a spin off of Sun Radio, and was primarily owned by Sonny Bloch. They had terrific studios next to 98 Rock (in Feather Sound) overlooking the Bay.

As I recall the timeline, Sonny left SRN and set up IBN around 90 or 91... and in addition to carrying Sonny's Real Estate Show, IBN also carried Doug Stephan in the morning, Jack Anderson at night, and Stan Major's overnight program. Weekends were filled with specialty programs like "On The Road with Jeff Brooks."

Michael Crose, help me out here... I think you were there around that time too...

The concept was simple... you paid to be a part of the "syndication" and program distribution, and they sought affiliates and clearances.

---

In addition to talk... other radio syndicators came out of Tampa Bay too... Ed Winton's "Primetime" was a competitor to "Music of Your Life."... and I know there more.

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Ain't free enterprise great ???
 
I was at WEND (760) briefly, during the days it was Sun Radio Network. I remember, many of the "national" hosts were unaware of the fact, flagship WEND would broker time, usually on weekends.

One Saturday evening, I remember being in the Network control room, when Jack Ellery (who had previously been on WFLA but had moved to New Jersey I think), commented to the board op during a commercial break, "I used to be big in Tampa, I wonder why I'm not getting any calls?" The operator cleared his voice then reluctantly admitted, "Jack, they brokered out your slot in Tampa." To say Jack was pissed off was an UNDERSTATEMENT.

If memory serves correct, Jack's time had been "sold out" to "Smitty's Sports Talk" though I remember many financial advisors and even a psychic took time on the weekend. I could tell you some stories about that psychic (name withheld)...let's just say the phone screeners were VERY GOOD and pretty much got all the info beforehand, so it was pretty convincing.

BTW, I joined WEND when they broadcast from Feather Sound. Previously, they had been located in a ramshackle building on Hillsborough Avenue (I think)...which was where Carson Cooper ended up after leaving 102.5 The Point. (Where is he now?)
 
What? doesn't everyone know that "for less than the cost of a :60 commercial on many Tampa Bay stations... "
 
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