Jones Radio Networks
Corporate brand
UnclaimedJones Radio Networks was a United States radio syndication and satellite-format provider that supplied local stations with centrally produced programming, music formats, news, talk, sports and related services.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Jones Radio Networks was a U.S. radio network and programming-services business associated with Jones International and Jones Media Group. Its principal role was to provide local radio stations with syndicated and satellite-delivered programming, particularly in small and medium-sized markets where stations needed a cost-efficient alternative to maintaining fully staffed local programming operations. The company supplied complete radio formats, music scheduling, show preparation, research, news and talk programming, sales-related research, and nationally syndicated shows. The business grew out of Drake-Chenault, a radio programming company that began offering music delivered on reel-to-reel tape, station consultation and promotional support in the late 1960s. Jones International became involved in satellite radio programming through a 50/50 partnership with Drake-Chenault. In April 1989, the partnership launched five full-time satellite formats under the Drake-Chenault/Jones Satellite Services name. Jones acquired Drake-Chenault's interest in 1991 and renamed the operation Jones Satellite Services. The company subsequently became known as Jones Radio Networks. A significant feature of the early service was its commercial structure. Initially, Jones offered commercial-free formats for a higher fixed monthly fee, allowing affiliate stations to retain their commercial inventory and sell it locally. This model differed from networks that charged an affiliation fee while also requiring affiliates to clear network advertising. In 1993, Jones changed to an inventory-barter arrangement, bringing its commercial practices closer to those of competing radio networks while removing the separate subscription charge. Jones Radio Networks operated as part of a broader media group that also included Jones Media Networks and Jones Media America. Its services extended beyond automated formats. Stations could receive live or centrally produced programming designed around standardized programming clocks, with scheduled spaces for local advertisements and optional newscasts. The formats were used mainly by smaller and mid-sized stations, although they were also available for major-market HD Radio multicast channels and other applications. The system allowed an affiliate to operate with limited local staffing, a computer and a satellite connection, while retaining some local control through commercial breaks and other programming inserts. The broader Jones organization also distributed a substantial portfolio of nationally syndicated personalities and programs. Associated shows included The Ed Schultz Show, The Stephanie Miller Show, The Bill Press Show, The Neal Boortz Show, The Clark Howard Show, Lia, All Night with Danny Wright and A&E Network's Live by Request. Some programs were produced from Jones facilities, while others were produced by partner broadcasters. The organization maintained production studios in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, Seattle, the Denver-area community of Centennial, and Florida. Clark Howard and Neal Boortz were produced by Cox Radio from WSB-AM in Atlanta. Jones expanded its audio-services portfolio through acquisitions and distribution agreements. It acquired MediaAmerica, its New York-based advertising sales representative, in 1998. In 1999, Jones International acquired Broadcast Programming, a syndicator associated with programs including Delilah. Jones also entered a 2002 agreement with Sports USA Radio Network to distribute nationally syndicated sports content, including primarily National Football League programming. In 2006, Jones purchased TM Century, a Dallas-based producer of radio jingles, imaging and production materials, bringing a major radio production-services business into the group. Jones Radio Networks ceased operating as an independent network in 2008. On June 20 of that year, Triton Radio Networks, a subsidiary of Triton Media Group, announced the acquisition of Jones Media Group and its operating companies, including Jones Radio Networks, Jones Media America and JonesTM. The radio-format assets were subsequently integrated into the Dial Global Total division, with the Jones formats entering that structure in January 2009. The Jones name therefore represents a defunct radio-network brand rather than an active standalone service.
History
Jones Radio Networks developed from the U.S. radio-programming business associated with Drake-Chenault. Beginning in the late 1960s, Drake-Chenault supplied music on reel-to-reel tape, advised stations on programming and promotion, and provided services intended to help broadcasters create consistent formats. The company later became involved in satellite delivery, a technology that enabled a centrally produced program service to reach stations across multiple markets. In 1986, the business acquired TM Programming, the 24-hour-format operation owned by TM Communications in Dallas. This acquisition expanded its format capabilities and helped establish the foundation for a satellite-delivered service. In April 1989, Drake-Chenault and Jones International formed an equal partnership called Drake-Chenault/Jones Satellite Services. The partnership introduced five full-time satellite formats. Jones International acquired Drake-Chenault's share in 1991 and renamed the service Jones Satellite Services. The remaining Drake-Chenault business was later acquired by Broadcast Programming, which itself eventually became part of Jones International. Jones's initial commercial model was distinctive. Its formats were presented as commercial-free services, and affiliate stations paid a higher fixed monthly charge rather than surrendering commercial minutes to the network. This arrangement allowed local stations to sell their advertising inventory directly, including national advertising that might otherwise have been unavailable to them. In 1993, Jones abandoned this approach and moved to a barter model in which stations cleared network commercial inventory instead of paying a separate affiliation fee. Affiliates reacted in different ways, but the change aligned Jones more closely with prevailing network economics. The company expanded from format delivery into a broader radio-services platform. Jones supplied local stations with music scheduling, show preparation, news and talk programming, research and syndicated programs. Its satellite formats were especially useful to small and medium-sized stations and later to HD Radio multicast channels. A typical service used a standardized programming clock containing a live or centrally presented format, optional newscasts and designated openings for local advertising. Because presenters had to serve stations in multiple time zones, the programming was designed to avoid highly localized references such as specific weather conditions. An 800 telephone line was eventually added to support listener requests. The Jones organization also developed interests beyond radio formats. Jones Media Networks launched the cable channel Great American Country in 1996. The company had earlier been involved with Mind Extension University, an educational cable service that later shifted toward technology programming under the Knowledge TV name. Jones Computer Network was offered as a 12-hour service in 1994, combining in-house productions with material from CNET TV and Turner Broadcasting; it was later sold to Vulcan Ventures. These cable ventures were separate from the core radio-network operation but demonstrate the broader media strategy surrounding the Jones businesses. In 1998, Jones acquired MediaAmerica, its New York advertising-sales representative. The founders, Gary Schonfeld and Ron Hartenbaum, continued in senior positions, with Schonfeld leading Jones MediaAmerica and Hartenbaum becoming president of Jones Radio Networks. In 1999, Jones International acquired Broadcast Programming, adding a major syndicated-radio operation and shows such as Delilah. Delilah later moved to Premiere Radio Networks in 2004. Jones continued building its national distribution footprint. In 2002, it reached an agreement with Sports USA Radio Network to distribute syndicated sports programming, primarily National Football League games. Its associated Jones Media Networks operation also distributed a large collection of talk, entertainment and specialty programs, including shows hosted by Ed Schultz, Stephanie Miller, Bill Press, Neal Boortz and Clark Howard. The group operated production facilities in several major U.S. media centers, while some programs were produced through external partners such as Cox Radio. In September 2006, JonesTM acquired TM Century, a major Dallas radio-jingle and production-services company. TM Century had roots in Tom Merriman's Commercial Recording Corporation and TM Productions, and later combined with Century 21 Programming. Under Jones ownership, the business formed part of the group's production-services portfolio, supplying jingles, imaging and promotional music. This acquisition broadened Jones's relationship with stations beyond programming distribution. The decisive change came in 2008. On June 20, Triton Radio Networks, a wholly owned subsidiary of Triton Media Group, announced that it had acquired Jones Media Group and its operating companies. The transaction included Jones Radio Networks, Jones Media America and JonesTM. JonesTM was subsequently renamed TM Studios and operated as a separate reporting unit, while the satellite-format business was integrated into Dial Global's Jones-related operations. The Jones formats were placed within the Dial Global Total division on January 6, 2009. Jones Radio Networks consequently ceased to exist as an independent operating brand.
- 2009
Integration into Dial Global Total
[1]The Jones satellite-format division was integrated into Dial Global's Jones-related operations.
- 2008
Sale to Triton Radio Networks
[1]Triton Radio Networks acquired Jones Media Group and its operating companies, including Jones Radio Networks.
- 2006
Acquisition of TM Century
[1]JonesTM acquired TM Century, expanding Jones's production, jingle and radio-imaging services.
- 2002
Sports USA distribution agreement
[1]Jones Radio Networks agreed to distribute nationally syndicated sports programming from Sports USA Radio Network.
- 1999
Acquisition of Broadcast Programming
[1]Jones International acquired Broadcast Programming, adding syndicated radio operations and associated shows to its portfolio.
- 1998
Acquisition of MediaAmerica
[1]Jones acquired its New York-based advertising sales representative, MediaAmerica.
- 1996
Launch of Great American Country
[1]Jones Media Networks launched the GAC cable channel, later selling it to The E.W. Scripps Company.
- 1993
Change from subscription pricing to barter
[1]Jones ended its commercial-free, fixed-fee model and made affiliates clear network commercial inventory through an inventory-barter arrangement.
- 1991
Jones takes full control of the satellite partnership
[1]Jones acquired Drake-Chenault's interest and renamed the operation Jones Satellite Services.
- 1989
Launch of Drake-Chenault/Jones Satellite Services
[1]Drake-Chenault and Jones International launched five full-time satellite-delivered radio formats through a 50/50 partnership.
Products and positioning
A network-services provider for local radio stations, positioned around centralized programming, satellite delivery, syndicated talent and operational efficiency for stations that wanted broad-format programming without maintaining a large in-house production staff.
Radio network service · 1989
Satellite-delivered radio formats
Jones provided centrally produced, satellite-delivered radio formats for affiliate stations. The services supplied programming clocks, music or talk content, presenter-led segments, optional newscasts and scheduled openings for local advertising. They were particularly useful to small and medium-sized stations and could also be used on HD Radio multicast channels. The format structure enabled stations to maintain continuous programming with limited local staffing while preserving some local commercial and operational control.
Radio syndication
Syndicated radio shows
Jones Media Networks and Jones Radio Networks distributed nationally syndicated programs across talk, entertainment and specialty categories. Associated programming included The Ed Schultz Show, The Stephanie Miller Show, The Bill Press Show, The Neal Boortz Show, The Clark Howard Show, Lia, All Night with Danny Wright and Live by Request. Programs could be produced at Jones facilities or through external production partners.
Sports radio syndication · 2002
Sports USA syndicated programming
Through a 2002 distribution agreement, Jones Radio Networks carried nationally syndicated sports programming from Sports USA Radio Network. The package primarily involved National Football League broadcasts and extended Jones's distribution role beyond music formats and talk programming.
Radio production and imaging · 2006
JonesTM / TM Studios production services
JonesTM expanded the group's station-services portfolio through radio jingles, imaging, production libraries and promotional music. After the 2008 acquisition by Triton, JonesTM was renamed TM Studios and continued as a separate production-services business rather than remaining part of the Jones Radio Networks brand.
Brand decisions
2008
Sell Jones Media Group to Triton Radio NetworksM&ABackground
Jones Radio Networks operated within a broader Jones Media Group that included advertising representation, radio syndication and production services.
Action taken
Triton Radio Networks acquired Jones Media Group and its operating companies, including Jones Radio Networks, Jones Media America and JonesTM.
Aftermath
The radio-format operations were later integrated into Dial Global Total, while JonesTM was renamed TM Studios and treated as a separate reporting unit. Jones Radio Networks no longer operated independently.
2006
Acquire TM CenturyM&ABackground
Jones sought to expand beyond programming distribution into station imaging, jingles and production assets.
Action taken
JonesTM acquired TM Century, a Dallas-based radio production and jingle company.
Aftermath
The acquisition added production libraries, imaging and promotional-music capabilities to the Jones portfolio.
1993
Replace the commercial-free subscription model with barterStrategyBackground
Jones had initially offered commercial-free satellite formats for a higher fixed monthly fee, allowing affiliates to retain their advertising inventory. The approach differed from networks that combined fees with required commercial clearances.
Action taken
Jones changed the affiliation structure so that stations cleared network commercial inventory through an inventory-barter arrangement instead of paying a separate subscription fee.
Aftermath
The move produced mixed reactions among affiliates but brought Jones closer to the commercial model used by competing radio networks.
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