Copyright 2020
Greenstone Media Consulting, LLC
Greenstone Media Consulting, LLC
American Broadcasting Company
Seattle - 1929
Seattle - 1929
The Aftermath
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Perhaps sensing trouble ahead, Eric Palmer resigned his ABC position in June, 1929 and continued working as publicity director for the Cigar Institute of America. He remained there for over 20 years.
Immediately after ABC’s crash Frederick Dahlquist was designated receiver of KYA, San Francisco. However, back in Seattle less than a year after the ABC’s collapse, he was busy trying to resurrect ABC’s concept. The October 16, 1930 Heinl Radio Business Letter reported his writing Federal Radio Commission Harold Lafount (who was responsible for western stations at the FRC) describing detailed plans for a network to be operated by the Pacific Broadcasting Company. According to Dahlquist, Pacific would serve the west coast but had “nation-wide aspirations”. Claiming the project was “adequately financed”, its investors were principally from Seattle and San Francisco. Centered around Los Angeles’ KFWB (owned by Warner Brothers), the new network anticipated going into operation on November 1, 1930. It actually took to the air under the name United Broadcasting Network but lasted less than a year.
Subsequently, Dahlquist relocated to Los Angeles where he founded American Radio Features, a radio program production and syndication house. Its major undertaking was the creation of the Tarzan radio series which was enormously successful. The company subsequently produced numerous programs for both network and syndicated distribution.
George Coats remained in New York and spent much of the rest of his life working as a promoter of various undertakings. Arthur Judson remained a successful artists representative and symphony orchestra manager. Subsequent obituaries for both Judson and Coats identified them as founders of the Columbia Broadcasting System/CBS.
A number of the ABC staff were hired by KJR. ABC’s popular Harper’s Corner series returned to the air on KJR in June, 1930.
Because KJR had a coveted clear channel frequency, KOMO attempted to use the bankruptcy to secure it. In order for KJR to preserve its use of the channel, the station had to say on the air and the station turned to listeners for help. Explaining the predicament, Tommy Freebairn Smith’s pleas produced donations of a piano and funds to purchase phonograph records. KJR used these resources to remain on the air - and KOMO’s attempt to secure KJR’s frequency was denied by the Federal Radio Commission.
Apparently as a result of the ABC collapse, Franceso Longo plunged into a deep depression from which he never recovered. He took his own life in 1932.
Linden went to prison in 1933 seemingly with great alacrity. Upon his parole he returned to Seattle and founded a highly-regarded recording studio and associated Linden record label. He operated both for many years.
Immediately after ABC’s crash Frederick Dahlquist was designated receiver of KYA, San Francisco. However, back in Seattle less than a year after the ABC’s collapse, he was busy trying to resurrect ABC’s concept. The October 16, 1930 Heinl Radio Business Letter reported his writing Federal Radio Commission Harold Lafount (who was responsible for western stations at the FRC) describing detailed plans for a network to be operated by the Pacific Broadcasting Company. According to Dahlquist, Pacific would serve the west coast but had “nation-wide aspirations”. Claiming the project was “adequately financed”, its investors were principally from Seattle and San Francisco. Centered around Los Angeles’ KFWB (owned by Warner Brothers), the new network anticipated going into operation on November 1, 1930. It actually took to the air under the name United Broadcasting Network but lasted less than a year.
Subsequently, Dahlquist relocated to Los Angeles where he founded American Radio Features, a radio program production and syndication house. Its major undertaking was the creation of the Tarzan radio series which was enormously successful. The company subsequently produced numerous programs for both network and syndicated distribution.
George Coats remained in New York and spent much of the rest of his life working as a promoter of various undertakings. Arthur Judson remained a successful artists representative and symphony orchestra manager. Subsequent obituaries for both Judson and Coats identified them as founders of the Columbia Broadcasting System/CBS.
A number of the ABC staff were hired by KJR. ABC’s popular Harper’s Corner series returned to the air on KJR in June, 1930.
Because KJR had a coveted clear channel frequency, KOMO attempted to use the bankruptcy to secure it. In order for KJR to preserve its use of the channel, the station had to say on the air and the station turned to listeners for help. Explaining the predicament, Tommy Freebairn Smith’s pleas produced donations of a piano and funds to purchase phonograph records. KJR used these resources to remain on the air - and KOMO’s attempt to secure KJR’s frequency was denied by the Federal Radio Commission.
Apparently as a result of the ABC collapse, Franceso Longo plunged into a deep depression from which he never recovered. He took his own life in 1932.
Linden went to prison in 1933 seemingly with great alacrity. Upon his parole he returned to Seattle and founded a highly-regarded recording studio and associated Linden record label. He operated both for many years.