 | |
| Type | Radio network |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Availability | National; also distributed in Canada, Europe, Armed Forces Radio |
| Owner | Westwood One |
Key people | Peter Stewart, Tom Kennedy, Carl Anderson |
Launch date | 1981 |
Former names | Starstation |
Official website | Westwood One information page |
Adult Contemporary, billed on-air with the slogan Today's Hits and Yesterday's Favorites (or Hits & Favorites for short), is a 24-hour music format produced by Cumulus Media Networks (now Westwood One).
Starstation, as it was formerly known, was part of the original Satellite Music Network, with studios in Mokena, Illinois, outside of Chicago. After being acquired by ABC/Capital Cities, the format moved to studios in Dallas, Texas, along with many of the other SMN formats and was internally billed as ABC AC but using the on-air branding of "Today's Hits and Yesterday's Favorites." ABC AC combined a highly researched Adult Contemporary music mix targeted to women aged 25–49.
Citadel Broadcasting purchased ABC Radio Networks (now Cumulus Media Networks) and the ABC owned-and-operated radio stations from The Walt Disney Company in February 2006. The Citadel acquisition has been completed and did not include Radio Disney or the ESPN Stations. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011. [1]
As of 2025, Westwood One continues to offer the Adult Contemporary format using the "Today's Hits and Yesterday's Favorites" slogan.
The format officially ceased broadcasting in mid-July 2014, after a final merger with Westwood One. No personalities were retained from this format. Affiliates now carry Westwood One's AC Total format.
Other former hosts have included:
Richard Stevens is a former Hollywood Squares announcer and is the brother of another Squares announcer and American Top 40 host, Shadoe Stevens.