Transcription discs, also known as electrical transcriptions (ETs), were audio discs used to record and distribute radio broadcasts to stations across the United States. The 33 1/3 RPM discs were popularized in the 1930s, during the golden age of radio, and were used until the 1960s when magnetic tape became the primary recording format.
- 1929 – WOR in New York City was one of the first radio stations to broadcast transcriptions.
- 1930s – Radio broadcasting corporations used transcription discs to record and distribute content to their syndicated stations. For example, CBS could use transcription discs to distribute The Adventures of Superman to local stations like KVWC in Vernon, TX. Once the station had aired the episode, it could be sent to another station until all stations had aired it.
- 1943 – CBS used transcription discs to record one of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “fireside chats” at the White House. The discs allowed FDR to reach the entire country without any other means.
- 1961 – The US Air Force’s Country Music Time was a weekly radio show that starting in ’61 and featured country music stars, both established and up-and-coming. The show was produced in Nashville, a major center of the country music scene, and was recorded and syndicated for general distribution. The show’s performances included Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Hawkshaw Hawkins, the Jordanaires, Hank Snow, and Red Sovine, among others.
LARGE COLLECTION OF TRANSCRIPTION BROADCAST RECORDS AVAILABLE
- 16″ & 12″ USAF Country Music Time
- 16″ & 12″ Navy Country Hoedown
- Faron Young Show – Pearl Beer Sponsored Show w/ Beer Ads
- US Army’s Country Express, It’s Music, Ebony & Ivory, Spotlight, etc.
- Stars for Defense – Office of Civil & Defense Mobilization (nuclear fallout era ads)
- Variety of Public Service Programs
- 16″ & 12″ Chevrolet Dealer ads from the early 1960’s
- Disney Movie Radio Ad/Spots
- And More …
