Mutual Broadcasting System

The Mutual Broadcasting System (commonly referred to simply as Mutual; sometimes referred to as MBS, Mutual Radio or the Mutual Radio Network) was an American commercial radio network in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. radio drama, Mutual was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow. For many years, it was a national broadcaster for Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish football. From the 1930s until the network's dissolution in 1999, Mutual ran a respected news service with news and commentary programs. In the 1970s, Mutual pioneered the nationwide late night call-in talk radio program, introducing the country to Larry King and Jim Bohannon. In the 1970s, Mutual launched four sister radio networks: Mutual Black Network, Mutual Cadena Hispánica, regional outlet Mutual Southwest Network, and Mutual Progressive Network. For decades, Mutual had the largest number of affiliates but an uncertain financial position. For the first 18 years of its existence, Mutual was owned and operated as a cooperative. Mutual's member stations shared their own original programming, transmission and promotion expenses, and advertising revenues. From December 30, 1936, when it debuted in the West, the Mutual Broadcasting System had affiliates from coast to coast. Its business structure would change after General Tire assumed majority ownership in 1952 through a series of regional and individual station acquisitions. Once General Tire sold the network in 1957 to a syndicate led by Armand Hammer, Mutual's ownership was largely disconnected from the stations it served, leading to a more conventional, top-down model of program production and distribution. Due to the multiple sales of the network that followed, Mutual was once described in Broadcasting magazine as "often traded". After a group that involved Hal Roach Studios purchased Mutual from Hammer's group, the new executive team was charged with accepting money to use Mutual as a vehicle for foreign propaganda on behalf of Rafael Trujillo's dictatorship in the Third Dominican Republic, while the network suffered significant financial losses and affiliate defections. It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was sold twice in the span of four months to raise enough money to remain operational. Its reputation was severely damaged, but rebounded under its succeeding owner, 3M Company. Sold to private interests in 1966 and to Amway in 1977, Mutual purchased two radio stations in New York and Chicago in the 1980s, but sold them after Amway's interest in radio broadcasting waned. In 1985, Radio syndicator Westwood One acquired Mutual and in 1987 the NBC Radio gradually assimilated both of the network's operations. Westwood One retired the Mutual name in April 1999.

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