September 18, 1927…The Second Radio Network Debuts

87 years ago today, The Columbia Phonograph Broadcasting Company went on the air with a 16 station network (list below).

What we now know as CBS actually started on January 27, 1927, as United Independent Broadcasters, Inc., when talent agent Arthur Judson, unable to obtain work for any of his clients on the radio programs carried by NBC, established his own network…United Independent Broadcasters.

Even before United got started, the Columbia Phonograph Co. had become interested in the venture. The Columbia Phonograph Broadcasting System, which was to act as sales agent for United, was organized in April of 1927. United contracted to pay each of the original 16 stations $500 per week for 10 hours of radio time. Soon the sales agent could not sell enough air time and the network was near collapse after only a few months.

Plagued with mounting financial losses, the network was purchased for a modest $400,000 by William S. Paley, whose father owned the company that made La Palina cigars, one of the network’s principal advertisers. On January 18, 1929, the newly christened Columbia Broadcasting System signed on the air.

Sunday, September 18, 1927: The Columbia Phonograph Broadcasting Company made its debut at 3 PM EST.

16 stations were on board for Opening Day.
Originating station: WOR Newark
Other Stations:
WEAN Providence
WNAC Boston
WFBL Syracuse
WMAK Buffalo-Lockport
WCAU Philadelphia
WJAS Pittsburgh
WADC Akron
WAIU Columbia
WKRC Cincinnati
WGHP Detroit
WMAQ Chicago
KMOX St. Louis
WCAO Baltimore
KOIL Council Bluffs
WOWO Fort Wayne

Enjoy and share! -Bobby Ellerbee

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