Mutual Broadcasting System

Mutual began in 1929 as the Quality Network with four radio stations, in Chicago, New York City, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan. In 1934 it was reincorporated as the Mutual Broadcasting System. By the 1940s Mutual had more stations than any other radio network, but usually trailed 3rd or 4th in number of listeners and in advertising revenue. The most popular Mutual shows were The Lone Ranger, Lum and Abner[?], The Green Hornet, and The Shadow. Mutual also lured Amos & Andy to their network from CBS for the 1936 season.

Mutual's newscasts were well regarded. In the 1930s Mutual rebroadcast English language news reports from the BBC in addition to other nations including Germany and Czechoslovakia.

Mutual was purchased by Westwood One[?] in 1985, which discontinued using the Mutual name in favor of CNN radio in 1999.

External Links

• Mutual on oldradio.com (http://www.oldradio.com/archives/prog/mutual.htm)
• Some History of the Mutual Broadcasting System (http://members.aol.com/jeff1070/mutual)