Connecticut Radio Network Archives

The audio tapes in this collection were produced by the Connecticut Radio Network, originally called Connecticut Public Information Network, which is a division of CRN International Inc. The Connecticut Radio Network, CRN, was originally created in 1973 in response to the annual meetings of the state legislature. CRN International Inc. realized that much of what was important to people’s day-to-day lives was influenced by state government and the CRN was created to provide the people of Connecticut with updated governmental information. The founding members of the CRN originally met at UConn.

The CRN’s first production was “Dialogue” which became one of the longest running radio programs in Connecticut. “Dialogue” is an interview program with guests including every Connecticut governor since Thomas Meskill and former presidential candidates Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. The CRN would go on to broadcast a wide range of topics including UConn basketball and football games, a program called Ski Watch which was the only independent ski report of its time, coverage of the Greater Hartford Open, and storm coverage ranging from blizzards to hurricanes.

The CRN staff was led by State Capitol news dean Steve Kotchko with supporting staff Mark Sims, Bruce Verlato, and John Gill. Steve and his team spent decades building up the CRN until June 9th, 2017 when CRN International discontinued the daily news service operation of the CRN. The discontinuing of the CRN’s daily news service operations resulted from the continued deregulation of the broadcast industry and the dominance of national corporations, with decreased interest in the news and local programs, buying up many local radio stations in larger Connecticut cities. The news interview program “Dialogue” was continued by Steve after the discontinuation of the daily news service operation back in 2017.