History
What became known as Jones Radio Networks started as a satellite format provider. The company originally started in the late 1960s as Drake-Chenault radio programming services. The company became legendary in its offerings such as music delivered on reel-to-reel tape, program consultation services, and station imaging. The company made its first foray into satellite programming in the late 1980s by launching five different full-time satellite-delivered formats. In 1990 Jones acquired Drake-Chenault.
Though satellite-delivered formats were not new, its presentation was. Many stations using satellite formats were required to clear up to two minutes of network commercials as part of their affiliation agreement. Drake-Chenault's formats were all commercial free, but the affiliate station paid more for the service rather than giving up commercial time.
This practice ended in 1993. Though affiliates now had to clear commercials like other networks, the format was available entirely through inventory barter, unlike its competitors, which required an affiliation fee plus inventory.
In 1996, Jones Media Networks started the cable network GAC (Great American Country). Up against stiff competition from CMT, GAC failed to capture market share and was later sold to The E.W. Scripps Company, owners of Home & Garden Television and Food Network. Earlier the company had launched the cable network Mind Extension University, which mainly featured adult education programs, and later shifted to a technology focus as Knowledge TV before it was discontinued around 2000. Jones Computer Network was offered as a 12-hour channel in 1994. The channel featured in-house productions as well as programming from syndicated CNET TV and Turner Broadcasting. JCN was sold to Vulcan Ventures to eventually create channel space on Cable for their network, TechTV pre-cursor Ziff-Davis Television, which removed the Jones Media Networks produced shows and added content from Ziff-Davis' magazine staff, including John C. Dvorak.
In 1999, Jones International acquired and absorbed Broadcast Programming, a company that handled syndicated radio shows, including the popular evening program Delilah. Delilah left Jones to join Premiere Radio Networks, a division of Clear Channel, in 2004.
In 2002, Jones Radio Networks entered into a deal with the Sports USA Radio Network to distribute nationally syndicated sports programming, primarily National Football League games.
In 2009, Jones Radio Networks ceased operations after all of their radio programs and remaining satellite formats were acquired by Triton Media Group's Dial Global.
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