NBC Talknet - Programming

Programming

At the time when Talknet was introduced, the Fairness Doctrine was still in place, requiring radio and television stations to, among other things, give equal time to both sides of controversial issues presented on the air. As a result, it would be some time before openly partisan radio hosts such as Rush Limbaugh began to appear and prosper. All of the programming of Talknet was instead advice-oriented, with listeners calling into ask questions and receive help with various issues and problems in their lives.

Talknet premiered on 21 stations nationwide on Monday November 2, 1981. Early affiliates were WRC Washington, WIOD Miami, KXL Portland, WJW Cleveland, KFBK Sacramento, WLW Cincinnati, KOB Albuquerque, WDAY Fargo, WOOD Grand Rapids. Maurice Tunick was creator and executive producer.

Tunick: "I came up with the name 'Talknet' and created and developed the 'Dear Abby' format for Sally Jessy Raphael which I tested earlier that year on NBC's WRC in Washington D.C. Prior to Talknet the only radio advice shows were hosted by clinical psychologists. My idea for Sally was 'a friend.' Over the back fence advice. Someone to talk to, someone who cares (as the theme music said). A daring, revolutionary idea at the time. Sally was a well traveled but unknown broadcaster at the time. Sally's TV show would start a couple of years later (1983) - a direct result of her Talknet success."

"Much forgotten is that Bruce Williams originally aired at 10PM Eastern to Midnight, and Sally Jessy Raphael aired Midnight to 3AM Eastern time. That quickly changed. I'm not sure how long, maybe a couple of months, to 7-10PM and 10-1AM. The shows were a hit out of the box and stations asked for an earlier feed time. Weekend programming was added a year later with Bernard Meltzer and Dr. Harvey Ruben."

Bruce Williams answered questions from listeners on issues related to money, personal finance, investments, business and other similar topics. On December 5, 1982 Williams crashed while attempting to land his airplane in Princeton, New Jersey.

Tunick: "He was critically injured and nearly clinically dead when he arrived at the Medical Center of Princeton. One week later Bruce was back on the air from his hospital room and did his show from there for a week before he was released and originated his program from home for the next three months. We were told at the time this was the first national radio show to originate from a hospital."

Bruce Williams is now syndicating his own program. He has contracted with Rocky Mountain Radio/Global American Broadcasting to provide satellite and technical services. Sally Jessy Raphael hosted the 10 pm-1 am time slot and spoke to callers about issues involving relationships and their personal lives. Her radio show was recently revived in 2006.

Williams was a tentpole of the Talknet lineup and continued with the service until its demise. Raphael, however, remained as host for a total of six years, from 1981-1987. Following her departure, several other hosts filled the 10 pm-1 am slot, dispensing personal and relationship advice. These included Dara Welles and Neil Myers.