Radio AAHS
Encyclopedia
Radio AAHS was a radio network managed by the Children's Broadcasting Corporation. Its flagship station was WWTC
-AM 1280 in Minneapolis, which broadcast from the former First Federal Bank building at Highway 100 and Excelsior Boulevard in St. Louis Park. At its height in 1996, Radio AAHS had 29 affiliates across the nation. Founder Christopher Dahl had purchased WWTC in 1990 and created an outlet for children's music, specifically targeted at listeners of elementary school age. The musical format had songs from children's films, but also created a niche for songs recorded specifically to entertain kids. The programming was driven, in large part, by listener requests, and many of the choices were little known outside that audience.
song, "She Drives Me Crazy
", as recorded on the album Muppet Singalong by Kermit the Frog
and Miss Piggy
. The "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers Theme" was #4, while two original songs by the Olsen twins
, "I Just Can't Wait To Be King
" (from The Lion King
soundtrack), a song for kids by Janet and Judy, and actor Jim Carrey
's version of "Cuban Pete
" rounded out the list.
Network programming began with a morning show, The All-American Alarm Clock (which was introduced by the Craig Taubman
song, "Good Morning" at the top of the hour from 6 to 11 ET), and continued with music throughout the day, as well as a feature of News for Kids, skits, jokes and stories. The network grew by creating original content at a regional level and then serving out the shows to the network at-large. One notable program, The Toy Talk Show, was produced by Pangea Corporation
and hosted by the three directors of the company, John Besmehn
, John Schulte and Cheryl Ann Wong. Kids would call in and ask questions about toys, animation and new video games and have the opportunity to win prizes provided by the show's sponsors. Programs like the Toy Talk Show were a model for the network for several years, where producers would create and deliver both content and sponsorships for their airtime. With increased production costs, lackluster ratings and the juggernaut of Disney Radio attracting larger audiences and more sponsorship dollars, the shift away from original childrens' programming required the network to find an alternative approach to content creation.
Advertising revenue for the network came from sponsors such as Disney
, Mattel
and General Mills
. During 1995–96, the network's magazine included a CD or tape of Radio AAHS favorites as part of the subscription. As the internet grew in popularity and kids were afforded more access to it, Radio AAHS signed a content carriage agreement with NetRadio
, a once rising and popular site for internet radio programming. The intent was to increase ad blocks for both the traditional radio network and the internet affiliation. As part of its expansion and vision, NetRadio was eager to attract a childrens audience, due to the amount of advertising dollars that are spent on that demographic.
-oriented children's network, Radio Disney
, spelled the demise of Radio AAHS. Children's Broadcasting Corporation was unable to compete with Disney's established brand and resources. After briefly renaming itself AAHS World Radio, the network discontinued programming in January 1998. The corporation broadcast a mix of random music and paid-programming (6am-6pm CT) and Beat Radio
, a dance/club music format (6pm-6am CT), until its ten company-owned stations could be sold. The sale of the stations was completed in late October 1998 to Catholic Family Radio.
Following the shuttering of the network, some of the Radio Aahs staff joined XM Kids, the childrens channel of XM Satellite Radio
, which launched in late 2001.
In 2002, Children's Broadcasting won a lawsuit against Disney for $9.5 million in damages, with the judgment becoming final in 2004. The assets of Radio AAHS were rolled into Intelefilm Corp. The business changed its focus to provision of digital services and products, but soon filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The award of $12.4 million from Disney was used to pay creditors following liquidation of the insolvent company.
in Minneapolis, Radio AAHS was broadcast on AM stations nationwide and on an FM station in Spokane. Many of the stations had call letters that reflected the programming for kids:
WWTC
WWTC is a long-standing radio station serving the Twin Cities region. Despite its up-and-down history, the station spawned two of the area's major television stations and had some very innovative and unusual periods in its history...
-AM 1280 in Minneapolis, which broadcast from the former First Federal Bank building at Highway 100 and Excelsior Boulevard in St. Louis Park. At its height in 1996, Radio AAHS had 29 affiliates across the nation. Founder Christopher Dahl had purchased WWTC in 1990 and created an outlet for children's music, specifically targeted at listeners of elementary school age. The musical format had songs from children's films, but also created a niche for songs recorded specifically to entertain kids. The programming was driven, in large part, by listener requests, and many of the choices were little known outside that audience.
Programming
A list of the "Radio AAHS Top 20 Countdown" in the inaugural (March 1995) issue of the network's short-lived magazine, shows the eclectic mix of music. Number one was a cover of the Fine Young CannibalsFine Young Cannibals
Fine Young Cannibals were a British band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1984, by bassist David Steele and guitarist Andy Cox , and singer Roland Gift...
song, "She Drives Me Crazy
She Drives Me Crazy
"She Drives Me Crazy" is a song recorded by the Fine Young Cannibals, included on their 1989 album The Raw and the Cooked. The song peaked at #5 as a single in the band's native UK in January 1989 before hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US on 15 April 1989...
", as recorded on the album Muppet Singalong by Kermit the Frog
Kermit the Frog
Kermit the Frog is puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous Muppet creation, first introduced in 1955. He is the protagonist of many Muppet projects, most notably as the host of The Muppet Show, and has appeared in various sketches on Sesame Street, in commercials and in public service announcements over...
and Miss Piggy
Miss Piggy
Miss Piggy is a Muppet character who was primarily played by Frank Oz on The Muppet Show. In 2001, Eric Jacobson began performing the role, although Oz did not officially retire until 2002....
. The "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers Theme" was #4, while two original songs by the Olsen twins
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Fuller Olsen are American actresses and entrepreneurs.Both have appeared in television and films since infancy. Since then, they have continued their celebrity through numerous television programs, films, interviews, as well as commercial endorsements...
, "I Just Can't Wait To Be King
I Just Can't Wait to Be King
"I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is a stylistic musical number from Disney's popular 1994 animated film, The Lion King."I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is a large contrast from the film's non-musical segments, as emphasized by the number's usage of lively colors and sounds...
" (from The Lion King
The Lion King
The Lion King is a 1994 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 32nd feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series...
soundtrack), a song for kids by Janet and Judy, and actor Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian. He has received two Golden Globe Awards and has also been nominated on four occasions. Carrey began comedy in 1979, performing at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, Ontario...
's version of "Cuban Pete
Cuban Pete
Cuban Pete may refer to one of the following:*Cuban Pete , a 1946 film starring Desi Arnaz and The King Sisters.*Cuban Pete, the nickname of the Mambo dancer Pedro Aguilar...
" rounded out the list.
Network programming began with a morning show, The All-American Alarm Clock (which was introduced by the Craig Taubman
Craig Taubman
Craig Reid Taubman is an American singer/songwriter and music producer based in Los Angeles, California. Through his independent label/production office, Craig 'N Company, he has produced 11 albums...
song, "Good Morning" at the top of the hour from 6 to 11 ET), and continued with music throughout the day, as well as a feature of News for Kids, skits, jokes and stories. The network grew by creating original content at a regional level and then serving out the shows to the network at-large. One notable program, The Toy Talk Show, was produced by Pangea Corporation
Pangea Corporation
Pangea Corporation is an entertainment development and creative services company that specializes in the animation and toy industries. The company was part of the original creative team that launched the wildly popular "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" for Playmates Toys and Murakami-Wolf-Swenson, the...
and hosted by the three directors of the company, John Besmehn
John Besmehn
John Charles Besmehn from San Jose, California, is a writer, director, and producer of animated and live action shows, and a developer of toys and entertainment properties...
, John Schulte and Cheryl Ann Wong. Kids would call in and ask questions about toys, animation and new video games and have the opportunity to win prizes provided by the show's sponsors. Programs like the Toy Talk Show were a model for the network for several years, where producers would create and deliver both content and sponsorships for their airtime. With increased production costs, lackluster ratings and the juggernaut of Disney Radio attracting larger audiences and more sponsorship dollars, the shift away from original childrens' programming required the network to find an alternative approach to content creation.
Advertising revenue for the network came from sponsors such as Disney
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
, Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
and General Mills
General Mills
General Mills, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 corporation, primarily concerned with food products, which is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The company markets many well-known brands, such as Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Colombo, Totinos, Jeno's, Pillsbury, Green...
. During 1995–96, the network's magazine included a CD or tape of Radio AAHS favorites as part of the subscription. As the internet grew in popularity and kids were afforded more access to it, Radio AAHS signed a content carriage agreement with NetRadio
NetRadio
NetRadio was a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based company founded by Scott Bourne and radio veteran Scot Combs in 1994. NetRadio helped pioneer online radio and was the world's first Internet-only radio network. NetRadio began using RealAudio 1.0 in November of 1995 to stream their music...
, a once rising and popular site for internet radio programming. The intent was to increase ad blocks for both the traditional radio network and the internet affiliation. As part of its expansion and vision, NetRadio was eager to attract a childrens audience, due to the amount of advertising dollars that are spent on that demographic.
End of operations
Disney's launch of its own, CHRContemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
-oriented children's network, Radio Disney
Radio Disney
Radio Disney is a radio network based in Burbank, California and headquartered out of the Disney Channel headquarters on West Alameda Ave., from where it has been based since November 2008. Prior to that, the network was based in Dallas, Texas...
, spelled the demise of Radio AAHS. Children's Broadcasting Corporation was unable to compete with Disney's established brand and resources. After briefly renaming itself AAHS World Radio, the network discontinued programming in January 1998. The corporation broadcast a mix of random music and paid-programming (6am-6pm CT) and Beat Radio
Beat Radio
Beat Radio originally was an unlicensed radio station in Minneapolis, Minnesota that played dance music. Founded by local radio DJ and programmer, Alan Freed, in 1996, the station served downtown Minneapolis and surrounding neighborhoods and reached into the western, northwestern and southwestern...
, a dance/club music format (6pm-6am CT), until its ten company-owned stations could be sold. The sale of the stations was completed in late October 1998 to Catholic Family Radio.
Following the shuttering of the network, some of the Radio Aahs staff joined XM Kids, the childrens channel of XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
, which launched in late 2001.
In 2002, Children's Broadcasting won a lawsuit against Disney for $9.5 million in damages, with the judgment becoming final in 2004. The assets of Radio AAHS were rolled into Intelefilm Corp. The business changed its focus to provision of digital services and products, but soon filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The award of $12.4 million from Disney was used to pay creditors following liquidation of the insolvent company.
Network of affiliates
In addition to flagship station WWTCWWTC
WWTC is a long-standing radio station serving the Twin Cities region. Despite its up-and-down history, the station spawned two of the area's major television stations and had some very innovative and unusual periods in its history...
in Minneapolis, Radio AAHS was broadcast on AM stations nationwide and on an FM station in Spokane. Many of the stations had call letters that reflected the programming for kids:
- KDZZ 1520 (Albuquerque, NM)
- KYAKKENIKENI is a radio station broadcasting a News/Talk format. Licensed to Anchorage, Alaska, USA, the station serves the Southcentral Alaska area...
650 (Anchorage, AK) - WKDBWNSTWNST is a sports radio station located in Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. It is owned and operated by local sports media personality Nestor Aparicio through Nasty 1570 Sports, LLC....
1570 (Baltimore, MD) - WAZSWAZS (AM)WAZS is a radio station rebroadcasting the Regional Mexican format of WZJY. Licensed to Summerville, South Carolina, USA, it serves the Charleston SC area. The station is currently owned by Thomas B. Daniels....
980 (Charleston, SC) - WAURWAURWAUR is a radio station broadcasting a Religious format. Licensed to Sandwich, Illinois, USA, the station serves the Chicago area. The station is currently owned by Starboard Media Foundation....
930 (Chicago, IL) - WAOZWSAIWSAI is an AM radio station broadcasting out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Its studios are in the Towers of Kenwood building next to I-71 in the Kenwood section of Sycamore Township and its transmitter is located in Mount Healthy.WSAI is known as "Fox Sports 1360," including The Dan Patrick Show and The...
1360 (Cincinnati, OH) - KAHZKMNYKMNY KMNY KMNY (1360 AM, is a radio station in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, which broadcasts on 1360 kHz and is under ownership of Multicultural Broadcasting...
1360 (Dallas/Ft. Worth TX) - KKYDKVOQKVOQ is a radio station licensed to Denver, Colorado. The station is owned by Colorado Public Radio , and recently launched the "Open Air" service, which consists of adult album alternative music.-External links:*...
1340 (Denver, CO) - KKSO 1390 (Des Moines, IA)
- WDOZWDTW (AM)WDTW is a Detroit-area radio station, operating at 1310 kHz with 5,000 watts. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications and airs mostly syndicated progressive talk radio programs....
1310 (Detroit, MI) - WCARWCARWCAR, 1090 AM, in the Detroit market, is a 24-hour talk radio station based out of Livonia, Michigan. The station airs a variety of talk show programs, including the nationally syndicated Imus in the Morning.- History :...
1090 (Detroit, MI) - WEIOWDVMWDVM is a radio station in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA. It is part of the Relevant Radio Christian network. It was also the call sign for Channel 9, now WUSA in Washington, D.C.-External links:*...
1050 (Eau Claire, WI) - KDUKKRVM (AM)KRVM is an NPR-member radio station broadcasting a news and information format. Licensed to Eugene, Oregon, USA, the station is currently owned by the Lane County School District, and is affiliated with Jefferson Public Radio....
1280 (Eugene, OR) - WISZWMFNWMFN is a radio station broadcasting a brokered Regional Mexican format. The station is known on-air as "La Poderosa" . The station is owned by Birach Broadcasting...
640 (Grand Rapids, MI) - WLWZWELPWELP is a Religious formatted radio station located in Easley, South Carolina. The station is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast on 1360 AM with 5000 Watts of power during the day and 36 Watts at night.- External links :*...
1360 (Greenville, SC) - WSYWWSYWWSYW is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish Oldies format, branded as La Joya . Licensed to Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, the station serves the Indianapolis area. The station is currently owned by Continental Broadcast Group, LLC.-History:The station went on the air as WIGO in 1963. Luke...
810 (Indianapolis, IN) - WJAXWJAXWJAX is an American radio station licensed to serve Jacksonville, Florida, USA. Established in 1958, the station is currently owned and operated by Jones College...
1220 (Jacksonville, FL) - KCAZKCZZKCZZ is a Spanish language radio station licensed to Mission, Kansas and serving the Kansas City market. The radio station plays a mix of modern Spanish music and talk, in contrast to the more traditional music of its Kansas City Spanish-language counterpart, 1250 AM.KCZZ, despite the usual...
1480 (Kansas City, MO) - KDYSKFXZ (AM)KFXZ is an AM radio station located in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA. Licensed to Lafayette, the station operates on a frequency of 1520 kHz and serves the Lafayette Radio Market with a Gospel format...
1520 (Lafayette, LA) - KKDDKSHPKSHP is a radio station broadcasting a sports and shopping format. Licensed to North Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, it serves the Las Vegas area. The station is currently owned by Las Vegas Radio Co. Inc and features programing from Sports Byline USA...
1400 (Las Vegas, NV) - KPLS 830 (Los Angeles/Orange CA)
- WKDVWKDVWKDV is a Regional Mexican formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Manassas, Virginia, serving Manassas and Prince William County, Virginia. WKDV is owned and operated by Metro Radio, Inc.-External links:*...
1460 (Manassas, VA) - WOWWWOWWWOWW is a Radio Disney affiliate radio station serving the Memphis, Tennessee, market. WOWW broadcasts on 1430 kHz. The station is one of the few Radio Disney stations not owned by the Walt Disney Company.-History:...
1430 (Memphis, TN) - WHOZWXQWWXQW is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Fairhope, Alabama. The station, established in 1964, is currently owned by Cumulus Media and the broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC.-Programming:...
660 (Mobile, AL) - WJDMWWRUWWRU is a Korean language AM radio station licensed to Jersey City, New Jersey, broadcasting to the New York metropolitan area on 1660 kHz AM. The station's studios are located in Manhattan....
1660 (Elizabeth, N.J.-New York City area) - WZKDWTLNWTLN is a radio station broadcasting a Religious format. Licensed to Orlando, Florida, USA, it serves the greater Orlando area. The station is currently owned by Salem Communications.Programming on WTLN is repeated on WHIM AM 1520 in Apopka....
950 (Orlando, FL) - WPWAWPWAWPWA is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish Religious format. Licensed to Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, it serves the Philadelphia area. The station is currently owned by Mount Ocean Media, L.L.C.....
1590 (Philadelphia, PA) - KIDRKIDRKIDR, 740AM, is a Spanish Language news/talk station serving the Phoenix, Arizona, area. KIDR has been an affiliate of Catholic Radio Network, Beat Radio, Radio AAHS, and Radio Disney in the past....
740 (Phoenix, AZ) - KKDS 1060 (Salt Lake City, UT)
- KMYZKZLIKZLI is a radio station broadcasting Talk Radio plus news from the Radio Oklahoma Network. The station is licensed to serve the community of Catoosa/Tulsa, Oklahoma. The station is owned by Reunion Broadcasting LLC....
1570 (Tulsa, OK) - KAHS 850 (Ventura/Thousand Oaks CA)
- WKDL 1050 (Washington, DC)
- WOHZWKKXWKKX is a News/Talk formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Wheeling, West Virginia, serving Wheeling in West Virginia and St. Clairsville in Ohio. WKKX is owned and operated by RCK 1 Group, LLC.-Programming:...
1600 (Wheeling, WV) - KAZZKAZZKAZZ is a radio station licensed to serve Deer Park, Washington, USA. The station is operated by licensee Nancy L. Isserlis, receiver for KAZZ. JP Bzet is the currently running daily operations....
107.1 (Spokane, WA)
External links
- Radiotapes.com Airchecks of WWTC radio formats dating back to 1972 including Radio Aahs and more.