The year 1970 in radio saw the debut of a nationally syndicated music countdown show[1] and the incorporation of NPR.

List of years in radio (table)
In music
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
In television
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
+...

Events edit

  • April – KKDA in Dallas, Texas returns to rhythm and blues format.
  • May 1 – Also in the Dallas/Fort Worth market, WBAP-AM 820 and WFAA-AM 570 finally end the time-share arrangement on both frequencies that had lasted since the earliest days of radio, leaving both stations free to finally adopt full-time formats. WBAP launches a country music format that will soon become very popular.[2]
  • July 11 – "American Top 40", hosted by Oakland, California radio personality (and show co-founder) Casey Kasem, is launched in national syndication. Created by Kasem and Don Bustany, and distributed by Watermark Inc., the program features the top 40 hits from Billboard magazine's Hot 100 chart. The show is a success and sets the standard for radio countdown programs for years to come.
  • August 29 – Attempted hijacking of Radio North Sea International off the coast of the Netherlands in a commercial dispute, with events being broadcast live.[3]

No dates edit

Debuts edit

No dates edit

Closings edit

Births edit

  • February 14 – Simon Pegg, British comedian, film and television actor, radio personality
  • March 21 – Cenk Uygur, Turkish-American political commentator
  • August 16 – Bonnie Bernstein, American television and radio sports reporter and anchor.
  • November 23 – Zoë Ball, British television and radio presenter

Deaths edit

  • May 14 – Billie Burke, 84, American film, stage, radio and television actress

References edit

  1. ^ Walt Bailey. "Casey Kasem American Top 40 - 7/4/70 Debut Show". Oldradioshows.com. Archived from the original on 2009-04-12. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  2. ^ DFW Radio Archives - 1970
  3. ^ "The Radio Northsea Story". Archived from the original on 2015-05-21. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  4. ^ Pop chronicles. 3 (RU 29-0 [Jan. 1970]) (Audiobook on LP, 1970). [WorldCat.org]. OCLC 50113216.
  5. ^ "How NPR Works". NPR. Archived from the original on 2009-05-01. Retrieved 2009-05-07.