Dismantling the Golden Age: Broadcast scheduling strategies on 1950s US network radio.

This article examines the transformation of major commercial radio networks in the United States from 1948 to 1962, focusing on programming and scheduling strategies during the decline of the Golden Age of Radio. It highlights how networks shifted from scripted, live programming to formats emphasizing recorded music, news, and talk shows, alongside innovations such as simulcasting (broadcasting simultaneously on radio and television), block programming targeting specific demographics, and the decline of single sponsorship in favor of segmented advertising. Case studies of CBS, NBC, ABC, and Mutual reveal varied approaches to this transition, including the persistence of certain legacy shows and the rise of new programming models like NBC's Monitor. The study situates these historical changes within the theoretical framework of remediation, drawing parallels to contemporary shifts from linear broadcasting to streaming and on-demand media, emphasizing a gradual evolution in media technologies and audience control over content consumption.