A big part of my job during my early days at Learfield was affiate relations. Periodically, I would survey the stations to learn more about how they used our news and sports. Here’s a snapshot from 1988.

• 2/3 of stations had a full-time news person (I’ll bet it’s not 1/3 today)
• I was insensitive or stupid or both in asking about sex. It was a different time.
• Almost half had a wire service?! Amazing. Can’t be more than 10% now.
• “Cassette recorders” – Ah, my favorite. A world before digital recording.

Back in those pre-web days, we also did a newsletter each month. One page, front and back. I typed it on a typewriter, made copies and put them in the mail. Example: Missourinet newsletter – Jan87

The whole process now seems … quaint. Typewriters and envelopes, once a month. But there was a simplicity that seems appealing in retrospect.