Talk Radio Network

Talk Radio Network originated from Advice Line, a syndicated program hosted by Roy Masters. TRN was established and operated by Masters's sons and carried Advice Line throughout its existence.

Among the network's earliest offerings was Art Bell's Coast to Coast AM produced by David Masters from 1994 through 1998 which had reached record station affiliates of over 500 during that time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/company/talk-radio-network|title=Talk Radio Network Companies|website=www.linkedin.com|access-date=2016-05-03}} In 1998, the original Talk Radio Network Inc. company and all of its programs was acquired by Premiere Radio Networks for the syndication rights of Coast to Coast AM.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/1998/01/26/daily9.html|title=Jacor unit makes $9M buy - Cincinnati Business Courier|website=Cincinnati Business Courier|access-date=2016-05-03}} At that time, TRN's programs were broadcast nationally by more than 300 radio stations.{{Cite web|url=http://imaginativeworlds.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-5054.html|title=Jacor: Signs agreement for Art Bell and KOPE|date=January 28, 1998}}

Actor Jerry Doyle was introduced to TRN by Mancow Muller, who at the time hosted The Mancow Experience on TRN. Before starting his own show, Doyle was invited to guest-host for Rusty Humphries' TRN-syndicated Saturday Night America, which was broadcast to over two hundred stations. Based on the broadcast, TRN offered Doyle a regular show that became The Jerry Doyle Show.{{Cite book|title=Have You Seen My Country Lately?: America's Wake-Up Call|last=Doyle|first=Jerry|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2010|pages=Section "Forks in the Road"|no-pp=yes}} Doyle hosted the show for TRN until his sudden death in 2016. TRN has been responsible for syndicating and producing other notable talk radio programs including The Sam Sorbo Show, Science Fantastic with Michio Kaku, The Laura Ingraham Show (from 2004 to 2012), The Andrea Tantaros Show, Monica Crowley, and The Phil Hendrie Show.

In June 2009, TRN partnered with The Washington Times to debut America's Morning News (AMN) with a focus on investigative reporting and live news and commentary from Washington, D.C.{{Cite web|url=http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=1344686 |title=TRN TO LAUNCH 'AMERICA'S MORNING NEWS,' WITH MORGAN, MCCASLIN |date=May 28, 2009 |access-date=May 3, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526190320/http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=1344686 |archive-date=May 26, 2015 }} At its launch, AMN was hosted by Melanie Morgan and John McCaslin.[http://www.talkradionetwork.com/companynews;jsessionid=71278AC6D5CAC21401A4FB9535523B34 TRN press release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502060317/http://www.talkradionetwork.com/companynews |date=2009-05-02 }}. Accessed 2009-05-28.

TRN rolled out America's Radio News Network (ARNN) in January 2011 as an all news network service for stations, which ran for 15 hours every weekday. TRN (permanently) suspended ARNN operations on September 6, 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/84948/talk-radio-network-suspending-operations/ |title=Talk Radio Network Makes Statement; Shuts Down ARNN |date=September 9, 2013 |access-date=July 3, 2019}}

TRN effectively ceased regular operations on December 22, 2017 when its programming stopped being delivered via satellite to radio stations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/172681/talk-radio-network-affiliates-left-in-dark-as-prog |title=Talk Radio Network Affiliates Left In Dark As Programming Gone From Satellite |date=December 28, 2017 |access-date=July 3, 2019}} Advice Line later moved to Radio America.[https://www.radioamerica.com/program/advice-line-a-voice-of-reason-in-a-perilous-world/ Advice Line: A Voice of Reason in a Perilous World]. Radio America. Retrieved March 30, 2021.

TRN syndicated The Michael Savage Show from 1999 until 2012. In 2006, Michael Savage was accused of Islamophobia based on comments he made on-air. Mark Masters defended Savage's free speech rights and said, "CAIR threw the kitchen sink at us with the goal of getting Savage fired, but we weren't intimidated. His audience supports him and so do his sponsors who have renewed... [Savage is] just a guy with an opinion venting his heartfelt feelings to his audience, and they support him."{{Cite book|title=Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio|last=Jennings|first=Brian|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2009|pages=Chapter 27|no-pp=y}}

In 2010, a dispute arose when TRN attempted to exercise a "right to match" provision in Savage's contract at the end of its term.[http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/12/21/32756.htm Shock Jock Savage Wants out of Contract]. Courthouse News Service. Retrieved 2010-12-22. Savage argued against going into arbitration with TRN but was shot down.{{Cite web|url=http://www.law360.com/articles/232225/talk-radio-host-s-contract-suit-heads-to-arbitration|title=Talk Radio Host's Contract Suit Heads To Arbitration - Law360|website=www.law360.com|access-date=2016-05-03}} The American Arbitration Association (AAA) awarded Savage more than $1 million, ruling in his favor, and allowing him to sign with Cumulus Media Networks.McCartney, Anthony. [https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/michael-savage-wins-legal-battle-with-boss-leaves-airwaves-in-search-of-new-network Michael Savage leaves radio show after legal win]. Associated Press. Retrieved September 28, 2012. TRN told the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that, through ex parte letters, Savage had threatened the AAA with a negative public relations campaign during proceedings, which interfered with the arbitrator's decision-making. The Ninth Circuit refused to allow the evidence.{{Cite web|url=http://www.law360.com/articles/718507/radio-host-s-threats-corrupted-arbitration-high-court-hears|title=Radio Host's Threats Corrupted Arbitration, High Court Hears - Law360|website=www.law360.com|access-date=2016-05-03}} The Supreme Court later denied TRN's request for writ of certiorari in 2016.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

The Laura Ingraham Show moved from Westwood One to Talk Radio Network in 2004. In June 2008, Ingraham walked away from the program in a contract dispute.{{cite news |title=Ingraham Speaks Up About Her Silencing on Talk Radio |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209215802/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/16/AR2008061602835.html |archive-date=2020-12-09 |url-status=live |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/16/AR2008061602835.html}} She eventually returned to the show a month later.

Immediately after Savage won his case against the network, Ingraham's contract also expired; in addition to leaving the network, she also won rights to her entire show's archive from TRN.{{cite news|last1=|title=Laura Ingraham goes off the air – to pursue modern dance|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Latest-News-Wires/2012/1128/Laura-Ingraham-goes-off-the-air-to-pursue-modern-dance|access-date=15 March 2017|work=The Christian Science Monitor|agency=Associated Press|date=28 November 2012|quote=Laura Ingraham, a conservative talk radio host, has left the Talk Radio Network after 9 years. Laura Ingraham jokes that she plans to pursue modern dance and the xylophone. If those don't work out, she'll go back to radio.}} Ingraham joined Norman Pattiz's Courtside Entertainment Group in January 2013.{{cite interview |last=Ingraham |first=Laura |subject-link=Laura Ingraham |interviewer=Diane Brady |title=Laura Ingraham on Leaving Talk Radio Network |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-01-03/laura-ingraham-on-leaving-talk-radio-network |date=3 January 2013 |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |access-date=15 March 2017 | quote = I want the show to be livelier, funnier, newsier, more unpredictable.}}

In June 2013, shortly after both Savage and Ingraham left TRN, Phil Hendrie terminated his relationship with the network in a mutual decision. After years of rebuilding Hendrie's affiliate base, it abruptly switched the affiliates to Roy Masters's Advice Line.[http://rbr.com/trn-pulling-the-phil-hendrie-show/ TRN pulling the Phil Hendrie Show]. Radio and Television Business Report. Retrieved June 17, 2013.

In August 2011, TRN, representing the three largest privately held syndicators, filed an antitrust lawsuit against Dial Global after it merged with Westwood One.{{Cite web|url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/08/31/49861.htm|title=Dial Global Accused of Talk Radio Monopoly|last=Youderian|first=Annie|date=2012-08-31|website=Courthouse News Service}} TRN also said that "Dial Global/Westwood One has been collecting our advertising revenues, but refusing to pay them over to us or to account for them." In 2013, Cumulus Media acquired Dial Global (renamed Westwood One) for $260 million, to which TRN publicly opposed.{{Cite web|url=http://www.radioworld.com/article/opposition-emerges-against-dial-global-sale-to-cumulus/221255|title=Radio World: Opposition Emerges Against Dial Global Sale to Cumulus|website=www.radioworld.com|access-date=2016-05-04}} Shortly after, TRN scaled back its operations resulting in the sudden suspension of America's Radio News Network.[http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/122072/changes-at-talk-radio-network-raise-questions "Changes At Talk Radio Network: ARNN Closes, Other Programming Continues"]. All Access. In March 2014, TRN and Cumulus Media announced a settlement of TRN's lawsuit over claims of unpaid advertising revenues and unfair competition against Dial Global.{{Cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/127550/trn-settles-with-cumulus-over-suit-against-dial-gl|title=TRN Settles With Cumulus Over Suit Against Dial Global/Westwood One|website=All Access|access-date=2016-05-03}} Regarding the settlement, Cumulus Media President/CEO Lew Dickey said, "While Cumulus Media had no role in the lawsuits filed by TRN Companies, we are pleased to resolve these claims and move forward together."{{Cite web|url=http://rbr.com/trn-cumulus-announce-westwood-one-settlement/|title=TRN, Cumulus announce Westwood One settlement|website=Radio & Television Business Report|date=8 March 2014 |access-date=2016-05-05}}

In April 2016, TRN launched a new federal antitrust lawsuit against Cumulus Media, Westwood One, Compass Media Networks, Ron Hartenbaum's WYD Media Management & WYM Media Management, former Cumulus Media CEO Lew Dickey and Westwood One COO Charles Steinhauer. TRN said in its lawsuit that Westwood One uses its monopoly power to conceal and misrepresent its accounting of advertising revenue allocations and advantage its own programming at the expense of programs of independent radio syndicators.{{Cite web|url=http://www.law360.com/articles/783213/cumulus-hit-with-antitrust-suit-over-advertising-payouts|title=Cumulus Hit With Antitrust Suit Over Advertising Payouts - Law360|website=www.law360.com|access-date=2016-05-04}}[http://www.plainsite.org/dockets/2yls8g9ly/oregon-district-court/talk-radio-network-enterprises-llc-et-al-v-cumulus-media-inc-et-al/ Talk Radio Network Enterprises, LLC et al v. Cumulus Media, Inc. et al]. United States District Court, District of Oregon. Retrieved May 4, 2016.

The lawsuit was dismissed on September 11, 2016, but TRN immediately appealed the decision.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/169885/talk-radio-network-files-appeal-of-dismissal-of-an |title=Talk Radio Network Files Appeal Of Dismissal Of Antitrust Case Against Cumulus/Westwood One, Compass, WYD/WYM |date=September 22, 2017 |access-date=July 3, 2019}} While Cumulus Media sorted through its bankruptcy, an automatic stay of the TRN appeal was in effect. Upon Cumulus Media's exit from bankruptcy on June 4, 2018, TRN asked the bankruptcy judge to terminate the automatic stay and allow it to proceed with its appeal.{{cite web | title=TRN Moves To Keep Appeal Alive Of Tossed Suit Against Cumulus. | website=Insideradio.com | date=July 4, 2019 | url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/trn-moves-to-keep-appeal-alive-of-tossed-suit-against/article_04a8ca88-7401-11e8-988e-f748acb94513.html | access-date=July 4, 2019}} On July 3, 2018, the New York-based court cancelled the stay, allowing TRN's appeal to proceed.{{cite web | title=Stay Cancelled As TRN Scuttles Cumulus Motion | website=Radio & Television Business Report | date=July 5, 2018 | url=https://www.rbr.com/without-comment-trn-scuttles-cumulus-motion/ | access-date=July 4, 2019}} In a two-page filing on August 10, 2018, TRN made a plaintiff’s motion for “voluntary dismissal.” It stated, “Plaintiffs hereby respectfully move to dismiss the appeal in this matter with prejudice, with an order that each party bear its own costs and attorney’s fees.” And added, “Defendants have authorized us to represent that they consent to this Motion.”{{cite web | title=TRN, Cumulus Agree To Dismiss Long-Lived Antitrust Suit. | website=Insideradio.com | date=July 4, 2019 | url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/trn-cumulus-agree-to-dismiss-long-lived-antitrust-suit/article_c9d38f42-a0c9-11e8-a8f8-536ae97dcab5.html | access-date=July 4, 2019}} The court record reflects the dismissal with prejudice on August 23, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4366316/talk-radio-network-enterprises-llc-v-cumulus-media-inc/ |title=alk Radio Network Enterprises, LLC v. Cumulus Media, Inc. (1:16-cv-00609) District Court, D. Oregon |access-date=July 3, 2019}} Meanwhile, TRN ceased operations in December 2017.

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{{American broadcast radio}}

Category:Defunct radio networks in the United States

Category:Conservative talk radio

Category:Companies based in Jackson County, Oregon

Category:Central Point, Oregon

Category:Radio stations established in 1993

Category:Radio stations disestablished in 2017

Category:Privately held companies based in Oregon