SRN Broadcasting is a pioneering digital media company that has been based in Lake Bluff, Illinois for decades. It is widely recognized for its early adoption of internet streaming and its deep roots in Chicago-area sports reporting.
Origins & Evolution
- 1990’s Foundations: The company began as Sports Radio Nightly, a seven-day-a-week sports talk program based in Chicago.
- Expansion to SRN: By 1993, the company branched into non-sports talk and home improvement content, leading to its incorporation as SRN Broadcasting.
- Internet Pioneers: In 1995, they launched InternetFM.com, making them one of the first broadcasters to prioritize the web over traditional terrestrial radio.
- In 1998, they pioneered the use of audio streaming technology (RealAudio) to provide post-game interviews to major newspaper websites. SRN has a digital archive of sports audio from marquee sports events such as the Word Series, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, the NCAA Final Four, PGA Tour, and All-Star games.
Key Figures
- Steven Leventhal: The owner and founder, who served as the company’s sports director for 25 years before stepping aside in 2022 to focus on his novel and the InternetFM platform.
- David Rusch: Served as VP of Syndication and Sales in Lake Bluff from 1993 to 2001, covering major sporting events.
- Phil Meyers: Appointed as the new sports director in 2022 after years as the assistant director.
Notable Programming & Assets
- Acid Flashback: A popular psychedelic and progressive rock station managed by SRN.
- The Weekend Sports Report: A long-running program hosted by Dave Rusch and Steve Leventhal, covering regional sports rivalries (e.g., Bears vs. Packers). Formerly known as the Bears-Packers Showdown
- Home Improvement Radio: One of the company’s niche talk radio shows, and one of the longest running DIY shows, first heard in 1993.
Recent Changes
In 2021, SRN split into two distinct entities:
- SRN Broadcasting: Retained the sports reporting division, Home Improvement radio, and Acid Flashback.
- InternetFM: Became a standalone company focused on the mobile app and content curation
