RKO General's Rise and Fall

RKO General's Rise and Fall was a wild ride, marked by rapid expansion and eventual decline. The company's roots date back to the 1920s, when it was founded by Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. as Radio Pictures.

RKO General's early success was largely due to its innovative approach to film distribution, which allowed it to reach a wider audience. This approach helped the company become one of the major film studios in Hollywood.

The company's fortunes began to shift in the 1950s, as television began to gain popularity. RKO General's attempts to adapt to this new medium were unsuccessful, leading to a decline in its film business.

On a similar theme: Pennsylvania Film Production Tax Credit

In November 1931, RKO's separate Pathé distribution network was folded into the studio, marking the beginning of a new era for RKO.

RKO Pathé was now effectively the studio's newsreel-and-shorts subsidiary, with features from the division continuing to come out under the combined brand until the following November.

Additional reading: The Simple Path to Wealth Review

Constance Bennett was named one of the industry's top six female "money stars" by Variety in January 1932.

RKO Radio Pictures was the revised name displayed in print advertising for the company's features starting from September, the beginning of the industry's exhibition season.

The New York City-based corporate headquarters of RKO moved into the new RKO Building, an Art Deco skyscraper that was one of the first Rockefeller Center structures to open.

Hollywood on the Air, an RKO-produced program for NBC radio, sparked independent exhibitors' ire at the free access to cinema stars it gave listeners.

The ban on radio appearances by contract actors, which was seemingly enforced by all of the Hollywood studios except for RKO toward the end of 1932, soon crumbled.

On a similar theme: Radio Africa Group

RKO General faced several challenges and troubles in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

In 1965, Fidelity Television challenged RKO's license renewal for KHJ-TV in Los Angeles, accusing the company of subpar programming quality and anti-competitive practices.

RKO and General Tire executives testified before the FCC, denying the accusations, but the commission initially ruled in favor of Fidelity in 1969.

In 1965, RKO applied for renewal of its license for KHJ-TV in Los Angeles, but things took a turn for the worse.

Fidelity Television, a local group, challenged the renewal, accusing RKO of second-rate programming. This was just the beginning of RKO's troubles.

The FCC, or Federal Communications Commission, investigated these claims and in 1969, issued an initial finding that Fidelity's accusations were correct. This was a major blow to RKO.

RKO faced similar challenges for its licenses in Boston and New York, with the FCC conditioning its renewal of the New York license on the outcome of the Boston case. This was a tough spot for RKO to be in.

Explore further: Automatic Renewal Clause

In 1965, RKO pursued the renewal of its KHJ-TV license in Los Angeles but encountered opposition from Fidelity Television.

RKO was criticized for subpar programming quality and accused of engaging in anti-competitive "reciprocal trade practices" by compelling vendors to purchase advertising on RKO-owned stations.

The FCC initially ruled in favor of Fidelity in 1969, after which comparable accusations emerged involving WNAC-TV in Boston.

In 1974, the FCC postponed the license renewal for WOR-TV in New York, awaiting the outcomes of the Boston inquiry.

On June 21, 1974, an administrative law judge renewed WNAC-TV's license, despite acknowledging the existence of reciprocal trade practices.

General Tire reached a settlement with the SEC in 1977, admitting to substantial corporate wrongdoing including bribery.

For more insights, see: Trade Act of 1974

The FCC stripped RKO of WNAC-TV's license on June 6, 1980, after a half-decade of investigations and hearings.

The primary reason for the revocation was RKO's dishonesty before the FCC, which included withholding evidence of General Tire's misconduct and denying improper exchanges of broadcast time for services.

RKO lacked the "requisite character" to be the station's licensee, according to the FCC, due to factors like reciprocal trade practices and false financial filings.

The FCC found that RKO displayed a "persistent lack of candor" regarding its own and General Tire's misdeeds, threatening the integrity of the Commission's processes.

A different take: Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

RKO appealed the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, but the court upheld the revocation solely on the basis of RKO's "egregious lack of candor".

The court interpreted the candor issue narrowly, only upholding the decision to strip WNAC-TV's license, and ordered rehearings for the WOR-TV and KHJ-TV licenses.

RKO eventually lost the case for good when the United States Supreme Court refused to review the license revocation on April 19, 1982.

As a result, RKO sold WNAC-TV's non-license assets to New England Television, which relaunched the station as WNEV-TV and later changed its call letters to WHDH-TV.

RKO General's license to operate WNAC-TV in Boston was revoked by the FCC in 1980 due to deficient character as a license holder.

The revocation was based on RKO's dishonesty before the FCC, specifically its failure to disclose evidence of General Tire's SEC probe and inaccurate reporting of broadcast time barter arrangements.

RKO's severe lack of candor was the critical issue, undermining regulatory trust and leading to the termination of licenses for KHJ-TV and WOR-TV.

RKO appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which affirmed the revocation and ordered further hearings regarding WOR-TV and KHJ-TV licenses.

A federal appeals court ruled that RKO displayed an "egregious lack of candor" by concealing misconduct by its parent company, General Tire and Rubber Co.

The FCC had found that General Tire and RKO tried to pressure companies into placing advertising with RKO stations as a condition of doing business with General Tire.

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia agreed with the FCC's decision to strip RKO of its Boston license, stating that the firm was "playing the dodger" to serious charges involving it and its parent company.

For your interest: Djia Circuit Breakers

RKO General Inc. displayed an egregious lack of candor by concealing misconduct by its parent company.

In 1980, the FCC refused to renew RKO's license to operate WNAC-TV in Boston due to corporate misconduct involving RKO and General Tire and Rubber Co.

RKO was accused of withholding evidence of the corporate misconduct, which included bribery of foreign government officials and illegal political contributions.

The FCC's decision was upheld by a federal appeals court, which stated that RKO's conduct was "consistent with the candor required of an applicant for a license to the public airwaves."

The court also ordered the FCC to reconsider its decision not to renew the licenses of RKO's stations in Los Angeles and New York City.

RKO's license was revoked due to its failure to disclose evidence of General Tire's SEC probe and inaccurate reporting of broadcast time barter arrangements.

The FCC's revocation of RKO's license led to the termination of licenses for KHJ-TV and WOR-TV.

RKO appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which affirmed the revocation based solely on RKO's severe lack of candor.

RKO sold the non-license assets of WNAC-TV to New England Television (NETV) after the revocation of its license.

The FCC granted NETV a full license to relaunch the station as WNEV-TV, which is now known as WHDH-TV.

Expand your knowledge: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company

Radio stations have a fascinating history, and it's interesting to see how some of these stations have changed hands over the years. For example, in Los Angeles, CA, KHJ and KRTH/KKHJ 930 were owned by RKO General from 1951 to 1989.

The current status of some of these stations is quite different from their past. In Chicago, IL, WFYR-FM 103.5 was owned by RKO General from 1973 to 1989, but is now owned by iHeartMedia.

RKO General was a significant player in the radio industry, owning numerous stations across the United States. Some of these stations were later sold or changed hands, such as WNAC/WRKO 680 in Boston, MA, which was owned by RKO General from 1953 to 1989 and is now owned by iHeartMedia.

Here is a list of some of the notable radio stations and their current status:

It's worth noting that some of these stations have undergone significant changes over the years, such as the sale of WONS/WGTH 1410 in Hartford, CT, which was owned by RKO General from 1946 to 1956 and is now owned by iHeartMedia.

Worth a look: Is Cash App Owned by Square

RKO General's exit from the media industry was a gradual process that spanned several years. By the end of the 1980s, the company had already started to divest its broadcasting assets.

In 1988, RKO gave up its bid to renew the license for KHJ-TV, which was then granted to Fidelity Television. RKO sold the station's non-license assets to The Walt Disney Company for $324 million.

The sale of KHJ-TV marked a significant turning point for RKO General. The company had effectively been disqualified as a broadcast licensee, and it was forced to exit the broadcasting business.

Over the next two years, RKO continued to sell off its remaining broadcasting assets. The company sold its radio stations in Boston, New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles to various buyers.

By 1990, RKO's last significant media holdings were the WHBQ TV and AM radio stations in Memphis and KFRC-AM in San Francisco. The Memphis stations were sold to Adams Communications in 1990, and KFRC was sold to Bedford Broadcasting the following year.

RKO General fully exited the broadcasting business with the sale of its last media properties in 1991.

Broaden your view: Gas Stations That Take Apple Cash

RKO General had a production arm called RKO General Productions, which had a distinctive logo featuring a wave-like animation and a blend of forest green, salmon, and pale yellow colors.

The logo animation is quite complex, involving a white line that ruptures into a wavelength, revealing the letters "A" and eventually the full company name. This animation is accompanied by a series of wave-like bursts that add to the visual interest.

Some of the RKO General Productions films may have been released on VHS, such as "The Smallest Show on Earth", which was released in the US under the title "Big Time Operators" on a VCI VHS release.

The logo was also used on television series produced for RKO General television stations, where a superimposed variant was used.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Distributed by Paramount Pictures Dreamworks Animation Skg

The company's former holdings were a diverse mix of industries.

They owned a significant stake in a major telecommunications company.

Their portfolio also included a large real estate development firm.

In addition, they had a substantial holding in a prominent media conglomerate.

This media conglomerate was responsible for producing several popular TV shows and movies.

One of their most notable productions was a long-running sitcom that aired for over a decade.

Their film division produced several critically acclaimed movies, including a Oscar-winning drama.

This diversity of holdings allowed the company to spread risk and explore new opportunities.

Readers also liked: Conglomerate Discount

RKO General Productions was a unique entity that produced television shows for RKO General television stations. They used a superimposed variant of the RKO General Productions logo on these shows.

The logo itself was quite elaborate, featuring a black background that transitioned into a blend of forest green, salmon, and pale yellow. A white line would draw in below, rupturing a wavelength and revealing the letters "A" and eventually "RKO" one by one.

The availability of this logo is extremely rare, with only a few instances of it being seen on early 1960s television prints of RKO Radio Pictures films. It also appeared on a VCI VHS release of The Smallest Show on Earth, which was released in the US under the title Big Time Operators.

Depending on the film quality, the background may appear as pink instead of the intended blend of colors.

Explore further: Card Declines but Shows Charge

RKO General was involved in a major controversy in 1976 when the company was accused of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act. This led to a significant fine and damage to the company's reputation.

The company's financial struggles were also a major point of contention, with RKO General facing financial difficulties in the 1970s. The company's debt had grown to over $70 million by 1975.

RKO General's ownership structure was also a source of controversy, with the company's chairman and CEO, Lawrence Tisch, facing criticism for his management style. Tisch had acquired a significant amount of RKO General stock in the early 1970s.

The company's television stations were also a point of contention, with RKO General facing criticism for its programming decisions. The company's stations were accused of airing too much violence and sex on television.

RKO General's financial struggles continued throughout the 1970s, with the company eventually filing for bankruptcy in 1980.

Check this out: What Gas Stations Have Tap to Pay

RKO General was a prominent broadcasting enterprise that spanned across the United States, with a presence in major cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.

The company's primary broadcasting holdings included a range of radio stations, such as WOR in New York City, KHJ in Los Angeles, and CKLW in Windsor/Detroit, which it fully acquired in 1963.

RKO General extended its reach into the Chicago and Miami–Fort Lauderdale markets and controlled Hartford's UHF outlet WHCT from 1960 until 1972.

The company was compelled to divest its Windsor stations in 1970 due to regulatory mandates.

You might like: Todd Pacific Shipyards, Los Angeles Division

In 1955, General Teleradio purchased RKO Radio Pictures for $25 million from Howard Hughes, who had previously tried to acquire total control of the RKO Pictures Corp. holding company.

This purchase marked a significant shift in General Teleradio's strategy, as they recognized the need for better programming for their television stations.

The film library acquired in the purchase included many famous movies made by stars like Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Katharine Hepburn, and Cary Grant.

General Teleradio quickly recouped much of the purchase price by selling the primary rights to RKO's film library to C&C Television Corp for $15.2 million.

This sale had a profound impact on the television industry, as historian William Boddy describes it as "the trigger for the flood of feature films to television in the mid-1950s."

The purchase of RKO Radio Pictures also led to the creation of RKO Teleradio Pictures, with a reorganized RKO Radio Pictures as its motion pictures division.

Worth a look: Daytrading Radio

RKO General's broadcasting enterprise was a prominent player in the industry, with a vast reach across the United States. The company's primary broadcasting holdings included a number of notable stations, such as WOR in New York City, KHJ in Los Angeles, and KFRC-AM-FM in San Francisco.

RKO's broadcasting empire spanned multiple markets, including Chicago and Miami-Fort Lauderdale. The company also controlled Hartford's UHF outlet WHCT from 1960 until 1972.

The company's radio assets were particularly notable, with leading stations specializing in top 40 and urban contemporary formats. KHJ-AM introduced the influential Boss Radio format in 1965, which was later adopted across RKO's AM outlets.

RKO's Boss Radio format had a significant impact on the industry, significantly enhancing market share across the company's stations. This format was particularly successful with CKLW's commanding presence beyond Detroit.

In addition to its radio stations, RKO also operated a number of television stations, including independent outlets in New York, Hartford, Los Angeles, and Windsor. These stations gained recognition for airing classic films under the Million Dollar Movie banner.

RKO's subscription television service, which was launched in 1962, was another innovative venture for the company. The service used Zenith Electronics' Phonevision system and generated income through equipment rentals and pay-per-view content.

Broaden your view: Do Gas Stations Put a Hold on Credit Cards

The RKO Radio Pictures logo, also known as the "Transmitter", was inspired by a 200-foot tower built in Colorado for a giant electrical amplifier, or Tesla coil, created by inventor Nikola Tesla.

This iconic logo, featuring a spinning globe and radio tower, was a well-known trademark for the studio, and it beeped out the Morse code for "A Radio Picture" during much of World War II, substituting "V for Victory" in some cases.

Orson Welles, a notable figure associated with RKO, referred to the Transmitter as his "favorite among the old logos", highlighting its reliability and significance.

The RKO Pathé feature logo replaced the radio tower with the Pathé brand's hallmark rooster, who stood stock-still as the world turned beneath his feet.

The studio's closing logo, an inverted triangle enclosing a thunderbolt, was also a well-known trademark, often used in place of the Transmitter in main title sequences.

In the 1990s, the Hartley–Merrill RKO Pictures commissioned a new, CGI version of the Transmitter, updating the classic logo for modern audiences.

A fresh viewpoint: Look up Trademark Registration

Briskin and Berman are a duo of renowned entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to the business world. They are known for their innovative approach to marketing and advertising.

Their most notable achievement is the creation of the Briskin and Berman Advertising Agency, which quickly gained popularity for its creative and effective campaigns. The agency's success can be attributed to its unique blend of traditional and digital marketing strategies.

One of their most famous campaigns was for a major fashion brand, which resulted in a 25% increase in sales within a year. This campaign showcased their ability to effectively target a specific audience and create a lasting impression.

Briskin and Berman's expertise in marketing and advertising has led to numerous collaborations with top brands and organizations. They have also written several books on entrepreneurship and marketing, which have become bestsellers.

A different take: Levelup Campaigns