Tom Kent Radio Network Closes Operations – Radio World

Following Kent’s death last summer, the network’s 300 affiliates were notified in the fall of the closure

Radio programmers were sorry to learn on social media over the holiday break that the Tom Kent Radio Network had gone silent. Kent died of cancer at the age of 69 on June 24. We asked Ed Douglas, the network’s former senior VP of affiliate relations, about how the decision to close the business came about, and he shared more information.

[Related: Read a Letter to the Editor Tom Kent sent Radio World in 2014]

The Tom Kent Radio Network’s approximately 300 remaining affiliates were notified back in the fall after it made its final decision to cease operations. Douglas said affiliates were alerted via email, which was its usual method of communication. He came out of retirement following Kent’s death to help Tom’s wife, Karen and his family run the network and plan for 2025. He offered consulting services for replacement programming.

Douglas said that the network considered several plans, including running archived Kent shows and branding them as “Classic TK.” But with the family still grieving Kent’s loss and many other business factors at play, they decided to close the network. “With the star gone and not cranking out new material, it was going to be a tough business model to work with,” Douglas told Radio World. He alluded to difficulties with sales as a large factor for the closure.

The 24/7 Fun network, featuring classic hits, was available for its affiliates to run around the clock. Douglas said there were 25 such affiliates prior to the closure, with as many as 40 affiliates in the past. Two of Kent’s three children, Jackie Newton and Steve Kent, hosted shows on the 24/7 Fun network. An adult contemporary version of the 24/7 Fun network was also offered, per Douglas. Other programming was available on a five-hour basis, according to the TKRN website, including Bill Shannon’s morning show, “Totally 90’s Now,” “Powerline with Brother Jon Rivers” and “The Ultimate Party.” Individual show affiliates included 94.7 WLS(FM) in Chicago, as well as stations in markets such as Phoenix, Kansas City, Nashville and Providence, R.I.

According to Douglas, there were only a small number of employees who were part of the network. Programming was distributed by United Stations Radio Network.

Kent’s radio career spanned several major markets, including WLS(AM) in Chicago and KLIF(AM) in Dallas. After spending time with Elektra Records as an executive, he began his foray into syndication in the early 2000s. In 2008, he launched the Tom Kent Radio Network, which peaked at approximately 700 affiliates nationwide. Kent described it as his “crusade to end boring radio.”

“Tom was very proud of the product he put out there,” Douglas said. “It was excellent radio.”

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