American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) is the only African-American-owned-and-operated Nielsen RADAR-rated radio network in the United States.
The American Urban Radio Networks has been privately held since its founding, and it has not changed ownership since it was formed in 1991 through a merger of the
Sheridan Broadcasting Network (SBN), previously known as the
Mutual Black Network
The Mutual Black Network (MBN) was founded by the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1972 as the first national full-service radio network aimed at African Americans; it was initially branded as Mutual Reports Network (MRN) before the branding chang ...
, and the
National Black Network
The National Black Network (NBN) was an American radio network that began operation on July 2, 1973, as the first coast-to-coast radio network wholly owned by African Americans.
Early years
The idea for a National Black Network was conceiv ...
(NBN). AURN reaches an estimated 40 million listeners weekly on over 6,000 affiliates and provides the advertising community with multiple networks and marketing, gaming, and digital capabilities.
AURN is the only African-American broadcasting company with a desk in the White House and has offices in New York City, Pittsburgh, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
History
American Urban Radio Networks was formed in 1991 from a merger of the Sheridan Broadcasting Network (SBN) and
National Black Network
The National Black Network (NBN) was an American radio network that began operation on July 2, 1973, as the first coast-to-coast radio network wholly owned by African Americans.
Early years
The idea for a National Black Network was conceiv ...
(NBN). SBN was previously known as the
Mutual Black Network
The Mutual Black Network (MBN) was founded by the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1972 as the first national full-service radio network aimed at African Americans; it was initially branded as Mutual Reports Network (MRN) before the branding chang ...
(MBN) when it was founded by the
Mutual Broadcasting System
The Mutual Broadcasting System (commonly referred to simply as Mutual; sometimes referred to as MBS, Mutual Radio or the Mutual Radio Network) was an American commercial radio network in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the Golden Age of Radio, ...
in 1972 as the first national full-service radio network aimed at African Americans. African-American media company Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation purchased 49% of MBN in 1976, followed by the remaining 51% in 1979, renaming it SBN.
Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation owned 51% of AURN, until it was forced to give up its share in 2016, following a lawsuit launched by junior partner NBN.
Sheridan Broadcasting later went out of business.
Programming
AURN Inspirational is a 24/7 Gospel music network featuring ''The Hezekiah Walker Gospel Countdown'' and ''The Bobby Jones Radio Show''. AURN handles affiliations, sales, and marketing for national morning programs ''Yung Joc & The Streetz Morning Takeover'' and ''Ebro in The Morning with
Laura Stylez and
Peter Rosenberg
Peter Elliot Rosenberg (born July 23, 1979)Chris Richards''Washington Post'', May 31, 2013. is an American radio disc jockey, television show host, and professional wrestling personality. He is a co-host of two New York City radio programs: '' E ...
'', as well as ''Nessa on Air'', ''Quiet Storm with Lenny Green'', ''The Marvin Sapp Radio Show'', ''The Bassment with E-Rock'', ''The Come Up with Tye Tribbett'', ''Most Requested Live with Romeo'', ''Invisible Eagles Podcast'', ''Radio Health Journal'', ''Viewpoints Radio'', ''The Sic 60'', and ''Cafe Mocha Radio''.
References
*
*
External links
American Urban Radio Networks
1991 establishments in Pennsylvania
African-American radio
American radio networks
Organizations established in 1991
{{US-media-company-stub