CRN Digital Talk Radio Networks, sometimes simply referred to as CRN or CRN Digital Talk, is a syndicator and distributor of radio programs and talk radio networks. Its legal name, and former branding, is Cable Radio Networks, Inc.
The content is primarily talk radio programming, produced both in house and from syndicated sources.
CRN broadcasts seven audio feeds. It is distributed, as its former name implies, mostly through various cable television providers, much in the way the more widely available Music Choice is distributed. However, it is also available via Ku band satellite and on the Internet.[1]
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At one time, CRN announced new channels CRN7 and CRN8, but CRN7's debut was delayed for several years, not debuting until late 2010 and CRN8 never materialized. Air America Media was heard on CRN4 (replacing TRN) from November 2009 until the network's 2010 collapse. CRN6 was previously used by the now-defunct National Radio Network, which primarily consisted of rebroadcasts of CRN shows.
CRN was founded in 1983 by Michael Horn, a veteran programmer and disc jockey in the Los Angeles media market. Originally offering a single satellite-delivered analog programming feed, CRN primarily featured adult contemporary music, providing cable television operators with audio programming suitable for use as a soundtrack to their 24-hour computer-generated information kiosk channels (such as the original, full-screen version of Prevue Guide). Cable operators frequently utilized CRN for secondary purposes as well, including on-hold telephone audio applications, and as background audio for Public-access television cable TV channels during non-programming hours. In addition to adult contemporary music programming, CRN also aired nighttime talk shows, including cable television-related discussion forums such as "Cable Talk." Audio from Prime Ticket's telecasts of Los Angeles Kings hockey games, and occasional remote broadcasts from such events as the Western Cable Show and a Special Olympics fundraiser that starred comedian Rich Hall, were also featured.
Horn is still a host at CRN, hosting "The PM Show", "The PM Show With Robert Conrad," and "What's Cookin" with Paul Stern.
CRN was the home of "Talk Back" with George Putnam until Putnam's 2008 death. Up until 2006 or so, Los Angeles-based local programs such as John and Ken and The Loose Cannons were also carried on the network. Until November 2009, programming from Talk Radio Network (most notably The Laura Ingraham Show and The Savage Nation) was heard on CRN (mostly on CRN4, with overflow airing on CRN2 and CRN5), but without explanation, the two parties failed to reach an agreement to continue carrying TRN on CRN. Air America Media replaced TRN on the CRN4 channel. TRN programs eventually returned in 2010 after the foldings of both Air America and the National Radio Network, which ran on CRN6 and consisted mostly of relays of other network programs.
The Internet feed is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hours of operation on cable companies vary from area to area. Many providers air programs only during daylight hours, before that channel is given over to public-access television cable TV providers. (One example is Time Warner Cable in the Los Angeles suburbs.)