A news talk station in Arkansas plans to go dark on March 20th. The Arkansas Radio Network (ARN) will cease to exist next month.
The network’s Affiliates, which originates at Cumulus Media news/talk KARN Hot Springs, AR (102.9), were told earlier this month that they plan to be signing off.
“For over 50 years the Arkansas Radio Network has delivered news and information throughout the Natural State, and we could not have done that without affiliates like you,” KARN PD Toby Howell wrote in a letter obtained by Arkansas Business.
“We have appreciated the opportunity to serve your news and information needs, and we will continue to do so for the next 30 days so that you may transition to a new service.”
The network launched in 1967 as the Delta Farm Network on the former KARK, and by the 1980s, nearly 70 stations across the state heard the network. However, the current network consists of 18 stations. Furthermore, there were no details as to why it was shutting down.
“I haven’t been there in a couple of years, but at that time, I was affiliate relations director, and it was going well,” Former network News Director Bob Steel said. “I couldn’t really say what the reason [for shutting down the network] was.”
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
