# Taft Broadcasting
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{{Short description|American media conglomerate (1939–1999)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Taft Broadcasting Company
| former_name = Radio Cincinnati, Inc. (1939–1959)
| logo = Taft Broadcasting logo.svg
| type = [Subsidiary](/source/Subsidiary) (1939–1959)
[Corporation](/source/Corporation) (1959–1999)
| industry = [Television](/source/Terrestrial_television) and [Radio](/source/Radio) network
| fate = Acquired by [Clear Channel Communications](/source/iHeartMedia)
| founded = {{Start date and age|1939}}
| defunct = {{End date and age|1999}}
| successors = Radio:
[iHeartMedia](/source/iHeartMedia)
Library:
[Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution](/source/Warner_Bros._Television_Studios)
([Hanna-Barbera](/source/Hanna-Barbera), [Hanna-Barbera Pty, Ltd.](/source/Endemol_Australia)/Taft-Hardie Group Pty. Ltd., and pre-1991 [Ruby-Spears](/source/Ruby-Spears) library only)
[CBS Media Ventures](/source/CBS_Media_Ventures)
{{small|(through [Spelling Television](/source/Spelling_Television))}}
([Worldvision Enterprises](/source/Worldvision_Enterprises) library only)
[Paramount Pictures](/source/Paramount_Pictures)
{{small|(through [Republic Pictures](/source/Republic_Pictures))}}
([Taft International Pictures](/source/Sunn_Classic_Pictures) library only)
| location_city = [Cincinnati](/source/Cincinnati), [Ohio](/source/Ohio)
| location_country = [United States](/source/United_States)
| key_people =
}}
'''Taft Broadcasting Company''' (also known as '''Taft Television and Radio Company, Incorporated''') was an American media conglomerate based in [Cincinnati](/source/Cincinnati), [Ohio](/source/Ohio).
The company was rooted in the [family](/source/Taft_family) of [William Howard Taft](/source/William_Howard_Taft), the 27th [President of the United States](/source/President_of_the_United_States). In 1879, William Howard's brother, [Charles Phelps Taft](/source/Charles_Phelps_Taft), purchased two afternoon newspapers in Cincinnati, ''The Times'' and ''The Cincinnati Daily Star'', merging them into the ''[Cincinnati Times-Star](/source/The_Cincinnati_Times-Star)'' in 1880. It was during the tenure of the merged paper's second publisher, [Hulbert Taft Sr.](/source/Hulbert_Taft), son of Charles and William Howard's half-brother, Peter Rawson Taft II, that the newspaper also became involved in broadcasting.
The company was the owner of such major media and entertainment properties as [Hanna-Barbera Productions](/source/Hanna-Barbera), [Hanna-Barbera Pty, Ltd.](/source/Endemol_Australia)/Taft-Hardie Group Pty. Ltd., [Worldvision Enterprises](/source/Worldvision_Enterprises), [Ruby-Spears Productions](/source/Ruby-Spears), [KECO Entertainment](/source/Kings_Entertainment_Company) and many [television](/source/television_station) and [radio station](/source/radio_station)s. It also owned 50% of [CIC Video](/source/CIC_Video)'s [Australia](/source/Australia)n operations, CIC-Taft Home Video.
The company went through a long reorganization period starting in 1987 with its acquisition by [Carl Lindner, Jr.](/source/Carl_Lindner%2C_Jr.) and renamed '''Great American Broadcasting'''. Shortly after filing for bankruptcy in 1993, it became '''Citicasters''' and was, in 1999, acquired by Clear Channel Communications, which was renamed [iHeartMedia](/source/iHeartMedia) in 2014. Taft — as Citicasters — remained incorporated as a [holding company](/source/holding_company) within iHeartMedia[{{cite magazine|last=Albiniak|first=Paige|title=A Cloud Over Clear Channel; Petition says it controls stations through 'fronts,' including Ohio FM it seeks to buy|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/140615-A_Cloud_Over_Clear_Channel.php|access-date=20 April 2013|magazine=[Broadcasting & Cable](/source/Broadcasting_%26_Cable)|date=November 25, 2001}}] until 2020.[{{cite news|title=iHeart Retires Some Heritage Radio Corporate Names|url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/iheart-retires-some-heritage-radio-corporate-names/article_d8975f8e-4ff6-11eb-8981-47225a7826df.html|access-date=September 5, 2021|work=Inside Radio|date=January 6, 2021|language=en}}]
==History==
===1939–1959===
The Taft family's involvement in broadcasting began in 1939, when the ''[Cincinnati Times-Star](/source/The_Cincinnati_Times-Star)'' purchased [WKRC radio](/source/WKRC_(AM)) from [CBS](/source/CBS). The paper formed '''Radio Cincinnati, Inc.''' as a subsidiary to operate the station.[{{Cite magazine|title=Times-Star buys WKRC, Cincinnati|magazine=Broadcasting - Broadcast Advertising|date=September 1, 1939|page=34}}][{{Cite magazine|title=WKRC's transfer approved by FCC|magazine=Broadcasting - Broadcast Advertising|date=December 1, 1939|page=36}}]
In April 1949, Taft's first TV station, [WKRC-TV](/source/WKRC-TV) in Cincinnati, began broadcasting.[{{cite news |last=Wood |first=Mary |title=A Second T-Day: WKRC-TV Goes on the Air; Truman Speaks Tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-a-second-t-day-wkrc/188891901/ |access-date=January 14, 2026 |newspaper=The Cincinnati Post |date=April 4, 1949 |location=Cincinnati, Ohio |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}]
In 1951, in its first expansion outside Ohio, Radio Cincinnati acquired a 20 percent interest in WBIR-[AM](/source/WIFA_(AM))-[FM](/source/WIMZ) in [Knoxville, Tennessee](/source/Knoxville%2C_Tennessee) from father-and-son owners J. Lindsay and Gilmore Nunn.[{{Cite magazine|title=Taft gets WBIR interest|magazine=Broadcasting - Telecasting|date=September 17, 1951|page=4}}] A year-and-a-half later, the Taft family increased its stake to 30 percent when the Nunns sold additional shares in that station to Martha and Robert Ashe, John P. Hart, and Radio Cincinnati.[{{Cite magazine|title=FCC okays ownership shifts for KTHT, WBIR|magazine=Broadcasting - Telecasting|date=April 13, 1953|page=52}}]
In 1953, Radio Cincinnati purchased WTVN-TV (now [WSYX](/source/WSYX)) in [Columbus, Ohio](/source/Columbus%2C_Ohio), from Picture-Waves, Inc., controlled by [Toledo](/source/Toledo%2C_Ohio) attorney and broadcaster [Edward Lamb](/source/Edward_Lamb).[{{Cite news|title=TV station is purchased|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 13, 1953|page=32}}][{{Cite magazine|title=Taft buys WTVN for $1.5 million|magazine=Broadcasting|date=January 19, 1953|page=56}}][{{Cite magazine|title=FCC approves WTVN (TV) sale from Lamb to Taft family|magazine=Broadcasting|date=March 2, 1953|page=54}}]
In 1954, the company bought WHKC radio in Columbus from United Broadcasting, then-owners of [WHK](/source/WHK_(AM)) in [Cleveland](/source/Cleveland%2C_Ohio); WHKC is renamed [WTVN](/source/WTVN).[{{Cite magazine|title=WHKC bought by WTVN (TV), WKRC interests for $158,000|magazine=Broadcasting - Telecasting|date=April 19, 1954|page=7}}]
In August 1956, [WBIR-TV](/source/WBIR-TV) in Knoxville began broadcasting, under the same ownership structure as the WBIR radio stations.[{{cite news |title=WBIR-TV, Channel 10, Signs On Air Today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-journal-wbir-tv-channel-1/182375853/ |access-date=January 14, 2026 |newspaper=The Knoxville Journal |date=August 12, 1956 |location=Knoxville, Tennessee |page=7-A |via=Newspapers.com}}]
In 1957, Radio Cincinnati purchased WBRC-[AM](/source/WERC_(AM))-[FM](/source/WBPT)-[TV](/source/WBRC-TV) in [Birmingham, Alabama](/source/Birmingham%2C_Alabama), from [Storer Broadcasting](/source/Storer_Broadcasting).[{{cite news |title=WBRC-TV And WBRC Get New Management |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-wbrc-tv-and-wbrc/161017435/ |access-date=January 14, 2026 |newspaper=Birmingham Post-Herald |date=May 24, 1957 |location=Birmingham, Alabama |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}]
In 1958, the ''Cincinnati Times-Star'' was merged into the ''[Cincinnati Post](/source/Cincinnati_Post)'', published by the [E.W. Scripps Company](/source/E.W._Scripps_Company). Radio Cincinnati also purchased WKXP-TV in [Lexington, Kentucky](/source/Lexington%2C_Kentucky), from local interests and changed its call letters to [WKYT-TV](/source/WKYT-TV).[{{Cite magazine|title=Changing hands|magazine=Broadcasting|date=May 19, 1958|pages=88, 90}}]
In 1959, the company acquired the remaining 70 percent of WBIR-AM-FM-TV in Knoxville.[{{cite news |title=WBIR Sale Authorized |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-journal-wbir-sale-authoriz/188891832/ |access-date=January 14, 2026 |newspaper=The Knoxville Journal |date=October 30, 1959 |location=Knoxville, Tennessee |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}] Also in 1959, the Taft family merged its broadcasting subsidiaries into one, using the '''Taft Broadcasting Company''' name.[{{Cite magazine|title=Taft files with SEC to sell common stock|magazine=Broadcasting|date=June 15, 1959|page=66}}] Subsidiaries WBRC, Inc. (WBRC-AM-FM-TV), WTVN, Inc. (WTVN-TV), Radio Cincinnati, Inc. (WKRC-AM-FM-TV and WKYT-TV), and Radio Columbus, Inc. (WTVN-AM-FM) were merged on June 23, 1959[{{Cite magazine|title=For the record|magazine=Broadcasting|date=June 29, 1959|page=92}}] and WBIR, Inc. (WBIR-AM-FM-TV) was merged on February 1, 1960.[{{Cite magazine|title=For the record|magazine=Broadcasting|date=February 8, 1960|page=98}}]
===1960–1979===
thumb|right|Logo used from 1959 to 1974.
In 1960, Taft launched WTVN-FM in Columbus (it is now [WLVQ](/source/WLVQ)).[{{Cite magazine|title=Changing hands|magazine=Broadcasting|date=September 26, 1960|page=50}}] A year later the company sold the WBIR stations in Knoxville to [Multimedia Inc.](/source/Multimedia_(media_company)) of [Greenville, South Carolina](/source/Greenville%2C_South_Carolina).[{{cite news |title=WBIR Radio, TV Sale Completed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-wbir-radio/188891871/ |access-date=January 14, 2026 |newspaper=The Knoxville News-Sentinel |date=January 4, 1961 |location=Knoxville, Tennessee |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}]
In 1961, Taft signed a group affiliation deal with [ABC](/source/American_Broadcasting_Company), converting all of the stations Taft had owned at that time, to the network. With WTVN-TV already an ABC affiliate, WBRC-TV, WKYT, and WKRC-TV switched to the network.[{{Cite magazine|title=Taft stations switch to ABC-TV|magazine=Broadcasting|date=February 27, 1961|page=36}}] This came after that network's founder [Leonard Goldenson](/source/Leonard_Goldenson) persuaded Taft president Hulbert Taft Jr., a longtime friend, to switch several of the company's stations to ABC.
In 1963, Taft purchased several stations from Transcontinent Television Corporation: [WDAF-AM](/source/KCSP_(AM))-[FM](/source/KCKC-FM)-[TV](/source/WDAF-TV) in [Kansas City, Missouri](/source/Kansas_City%2C_Missouri),[{{cite news |title=Terms Are Set in WDAF Sale |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-terms-are-set-in-w/192321001/ |access-date=February 27, 2026 |newspaper=The Kansas City Times |date=August 3, 1963 |location=Kansas City, Missouri |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}] [WGR-AM](/source/WGR)-[FM](/source/WGRF)-[TV](/source/WGRZ-TV) in [Buffalo, New York](/source/Buffalo%2C_New_York),[{{cite news |title=Transcontinent Signs $38.5 Million TV-Radio Deal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-transcontinent-signs-3/192321602/ |access-date=February 27, 2026 |newspaper=Buffalo Evening News |date=August 3, 1963 |location=Buffalo, New York |page=A-12 |via=Newspapers.com}}] and [WNEP-TV](/source/WNEP-TV) in [Scranton, Pennsylvania](/source/Scranton%2C_Pennsylvania).[{{cite news |title=WNEP-TV Sale Now Requires FCC Approval |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-tribune-wnep-tv-sale-now-requi/192321824/ |access-date=February 27, 2026 |newspaper=The Scranton Times |date=August 8, 1963 |location=Scranton, Pennsylvania |pages=3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-tribune-wnep/192321928/ 16] |via=Newspapers.com}}] The sale was completed on April 1, 1964.[{{cite news |author=J. Don Schlaerth |title=Ch. 2 Transfer Near |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-ch-2-transfer-near/192322198/ |access-date=February 27, 2026 |newspaper=Buffalo Evening News |date=March 28, 1964 |location=Buffalo, New York |page=TV Topics 7 |via=Newspapers.com}}]
In October 1966, Taft purchased the [Hanna-Barbera](/source/Hanna-Barbera) cartoon studio from its founders, [Joseph Barbera](/source/Joseph_Barbera), [William Hanna](/source/William_Hanna) and [George Sidney](/source/George_Sidney).[{{Cite magazine|title=Yogi and friends going to Taft|magazine=Broadcasting|date=October 31, 1966|page=78}}] Several months later in April 1967, the firm sold WKYT-TV to a subsidiary of [Kentucky Central Life Insurance Company](/source/Kentucky_Central_Life_Insurance_Company).[{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84217946/kincaid-buys-wkyt-tv/ |date=January 28, 1967 |page=1 |title=Kincaid Buys WKYT-TV |newspaper=The Lexington Herald and The Lexington Leader |location=Lexington, Kentucky |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 20, 2022 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827060603/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84217946/kincaid-buys-wkyt-tv/ |url-status=live}}]
On November 10, 1967, Taft Broadcasting president and chairman Hulbert Taft Jr. died in liquid propane gas-related explosion[{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/100695069/?terms=Hulbert%2BTaft%2C%2BJr|title=Gas Leak May Have Caused Blast Killing Hulbert Taft Jr.|date=November 12, 1967|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|page=1|archive-date=9 June 2020|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609152653/https://www.newspapers.com/image/100695069/?terms=Hulbert%2BTaft,%2BJr|url-status=live}}] in a bomb shelter he had built on his property in the Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill.[{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/100693617/?terms=Hulbert%2BTaft%2C%2BJr|title=Hulbert Taft Jr. Killed as Blast Rips Shelter|date=November 11, 1967|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|page=1|archive-date=9 June 2020|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609152646/https://www.newspapers.com/image/100693617/?terms=Hulbert%2BTaft,%2BJr|url-status=live}}] Days after his death, his son Dudley S. Taft replaced him on the firm's board of directors,[{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/100703851/?terms=Hulbert%2BTaft%2C%2BJr|title=Dudley S. Taft Named to Board|date=November 14, 1967|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|page=29|archive-date=9 June 2020|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609152432/https://www.newspapers.com/image/100703851/?terms=Hulbert%2BTaft,%2BJr|url-status=live}}] and he eventually became head of the company.
In 1969, Taft purchased WIBF-TV in [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia) and changed its call letters to [WTAF-TV](/source/WTXF-TV).[{{Cite magazine|title=$20 million in TV sales approved|magazine=Broadcasting|date=May 12, 1969|page=48}}] The FCC initially granted Taft a waiver to keep both WTAF-TV and WNEP-TV, but later reversed itself in 1973 (four years later), and Taft sold the Scranton outlet to the station's management, who formed NEP Communications.[{{Cite magazine|title=Changing hands|magazine=Broadcasting|date=November 26, 1973|page=28}}] Also that year, the broadcasting group formed The Sy Fischer Company to produce television programming.[{{Cite news |date=September 8, 1980 |title=Under one roof |pages=38 |work=[Broadcasting](/source/Broadcasting_%26_Cable) |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/80-OCR/1980-09-08-BC-OCR-Page-0038.pdf |access-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-date=24 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024093136/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/80-OCR/1980-09-08-BC-OCR-Page-0038.pdf |url-status=live }}]
In 1970, Taft formed [Rhodes Productions](/source/Blair_Entertainment), a television syndication arm for various independent TV programs, including those of Hanna-Barbera.[{{Cite magazine|title=New syndication firm goes under Taft banner|magazine=Broadcasting|date=March 2, 1970|page=55}}][{{Cite magazine|title=Jack Rhodes as Taft's New Syndie Bossman; Reeves Pilots Talkshow|date=March 11, 1970|magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))|page=52}}]
In 1972, Taft opened its first theme park, [Kings Island](/source/Kings_Island), outside of Cincinnati. Taft owned five other theme parks through its [KECO Entertainment](/source/KECO_Entertainment) division. WBRC radio and WBRC-FM in Birmingham are sold to Mooney Broadcasting.[{{Cite magazine|title=Taft's WBRC-AM-FM sold for $2 million|magazine=Broadcasting|date=January 24, 1972|page=29}}] Taft's Rhodes Productions subsidiary has hired John Pearson International as international backer of its programming.[{{Cite news |date=April 10, 1972 |title=Program notes |pages=94 |work=[Broadcasting](/source/Broadcasting_%26_Cable) |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/72-OCR/1972-04-10-BC-OCR-Page-0094.pdf |access-date=November 2, 2023 |archive-date=2 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102053727/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/72-OCR/1972-04-10-BC-OCR-Page-0094.pdf |url-status=live }}]
In 1973, Taft sold WNEP-TV in Scranton to its management, called NEP Communications.[{{cite news |title=Scranton, Others Buy Channel 16 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-tribune-scranton-others-buy-c/192322520/ |access-date=February 27, 2026 |newspaper=The Scranton Times |date=May 1, 1973 |location=Scranton, Pennsylvania |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}]
In 1974, Taft acquired [Top 40](/source/Top_40) station [KQV](/source/KQV) and [rock](/source/Rock_music) outlet [WDVE](/source/WDVE), both in [Pittsburgh](/source/Pittsburgh%2C_Pennsylvania), from [ABC Radio](/source/Cumulus_Media).[{{cite news |title=KQV Sold To Taft, May Be Headed For Country Format |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-kqv-sold-to-taft-m/192317859/ |access-date=February 27, 2026 |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |date=March 27, 1974 |location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |page=90 |via=Newspapers.com}}]
In 1975, a second theme park based on Kings Island, [Kings Dominion](/source/Kings_Dominion), opened outside of [Richmond](/source/Richmond%2C_Virginia). Rhodes Productions was renamed to Taft, H-B Program Sales while Taft, H-B International was established as the new overseas television distribution arm for the company.[{{Cite magazine|title=Fates & Fortunes|magazine=Broadcasting|date=May 19, 1975|page=68}}] Rhodes was eventually revived two weeks later under [Filmways](/source/Filmways).[{{Cite magazine|title=Rhodes under Filmways flag|magazine=Broadcasting|date=May 26, 1975|page=33}}] [Carowinds](/source/Carowinds) in [Charlotte, North Carolina](/source/Charlotte%2C_North_Carolina) was acquired by the company in 1975 from the Carowinds Corporation.
In 1979, Taft purchased [WDCA-TV](/source/WDCA) in [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.) from the Superior Tube Company.[{{Cite magazine|title=Taft's turn to buy WDCA-TV; price this time is $13.5 million|magazine=Broadcasting|date=May 1, 1978|page=50}}][{{Cite magazine|title=FCC stays on course, just barely, with top-50 policy; grants waiver for Taft buy of WDCA-TV|magazine=Broadcasting|date=August 20, 1979|pages=25–26}}] Around this same period, Taft also acquired independent distributor [Worldvision Enterprises](/source/Worldvision_Enterprises) (formerly a division of ABC) and production company [QM Productions](/source/Quinn_Martin).[{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117475065/taft-broadcasting-acquires-qm/|title=Taft Broadcasting acquires QM Productions (Page 1)|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=1 February 1979|pages=55|accessdate=17 March 2023|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=17 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317055127/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117475065/taft-broadcasting-acquires-qm/|url-status=live}}][{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117475180/taft-broadcasting-acquires-qm/|title=Taft Broadcasting acquires QM Productions (Page 2)|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=1 February 1979|pages=56|accessdate=17 March 2023|via=newspapers.com}}]
===1980–1987===
In 1980, Taft acquired [Sunn Classic Pictures](/source/Sunn_Classic_Pictures) and two additional [Schick](/source/Schick_(razors)) divisions. Sunn Classic was reincorporated as '''Taft International Pictures'''.[{{Cite news |date=July 14, 1980 |title=Bottom Line |pages=54 |work=[Broadcasting](/source/Broadcasting_%26_Cable) |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/80-OCR/1980-07-14-BC-OCR-Page-0054.pdf |access-date=October 22, 2023}}] In 1981, two Taft executives launched Jensen Farley Pictures to purchase the company's distribution assets, while in 1982, Taft had reinstated the Sunn Classic Pictures name as a unit in order to produce TV movies and miniseries.[{{Cite news |last=Hollinger |first=Hy |date=November 18, 1982 |title=Jensen Farley Pictures Wants To Fill Niche Once Held By Avco and Filmways |pages=1, 22 |work=[Daily Variety](/source/Daily_Variety)}}][{{Cite news |date=April 26, 1982 |title=Monitor |pages=83 |work=[Broadcasting](/source/Broadcasting_%26_Cable) |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/82-OCR/1982-04-26-BC-OCR-Page-0083.pdf |access-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-date=24 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024093137/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/82-OCR/1982-04-26-BC-OCR-Page-0083.pdf |url-status=live }}]
In 1981, Taft acquired [Ruby-Spears Productions](/source/Ruby-Spears) from [Filmways](/source/Filmways). Around this time, in the early 1980s, Taft split its operation into two "subdivisions": the "'''Taft Entertainment Company'''" (which included Hanna-Barbera, Ruby-Spears, Worldvision, the theme parks, Taft International Pictures, and Taft Entertainment Television), which was headed by Sy Fischer.[{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/24/travel/a-theme-park-called-wonderland-opens-near-toronto.html|title=A THEME PARK CALLED WONDERLAND OPENS NEAR TORONTO|date=1981-05-24|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-08-10|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811115549/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/24/travel/a-theme-park-called-wonderland-opens-near-toronto.html|url-status=live}}] Taft also bought television producer Titus Productions, run by [Herbert Brodkin](/source/Herbert_Brodkin) later that year as part of the Taft Entertainment Company.[{{Cite news |date=February 17, 1986 |title=When it was good, it was very, very good (A Herbert Brodkin bio) |pages=93 |work=[Broadcasting](/source/Broadcasting_%26_Cable) |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/86-OCR/BC-1986-02-17-OCR-Page-0093.pdf |access-date=October 8, 2023}}]
In 1982, KQV in Pittsburgh was sold to its general manager Robert W. Dickey and newspaper publisher [Richard Mellon Scaife](/source/Richard_Mellon_Scaife), under the "Calvary, Inc." banner.[{{cite news |title=Scaife buys all-news KQV |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-scaife-buys-all/192317628/ |access-date=February 27, 2026 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=April 3, 1982 |location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}]
In 1983, Taft exchanged WGR-TV in Buffalo to General Cinema Corporation's Coral Television subsidiary in return for [WCIX](/source/WFOR-TV) in [Miami](/source/Miami).[{{cite news |last=Pergament |first=Alan |title=There's a Full Day of News at Ch. 2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-theres-a-full-day-of-n/192318098/ |access-date=February 27, 2026 |newspaper=The Buffalo News |date=March 15, 1983 |location=Buffalo, New York |page=B-12 |via=Newspapers.com}}][{{cite news |last=Burger |first=Frederick |title=Taft Broadcasting assumes control of WCIX-Ch. 6 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-taft-broadcasting-assum/192318259/ |access-date=February 27, 2026 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |date=May 3, 1983 |location=Miami, Florida |page=7E |via=Newspapers.com}}] In 1984, the Taft Entertainment Company was reorganized, in order to set up various theatrical projects that was made by the studio, such as ''On Wings with Eagles''.[{{Cite news|last=Loynd|first=Ray|date=1984-02-08|title=Taft Entertainment Reorganized; Consolidates, Sets New Projects|page=24|work=Variety}}] Also that year, it formed a partnership with [Keith Barish](/source/Keith_Barish) to start out a joint venture, with a worldwide distribution alliance at [20th Century Fox](/source/20th_century_Fox) to distribute the films.[{{Cite news|date=1984-05-02|title=Taft Entertainment, Barish Form Pact|page=4|work=Variety}}] During that year, Taft decided to rename the former QM Productions unit as Taft Entertainment Television, with ''[The Lucie Arnaz Show](/source/The_Lucie_Arnaz_Show)'' being the first show to be produced under that name.[{{Cite news |last=Hastings |first=Julianne |date=April 15, 1984 |title=Here's Lucie's TV new comedy |pages=157 |work=[New York Daily News](/source/New_York_Daily_News)}}]
On August 20, 1986, Taft/Barish Productions, the feature film joint venture between the broadcasting group and Keith Barish Productions had inked a ten-picture distribution deal with [Tri-Star Pictures](/source/TriStar_Pictures) for $200 million, to handle domestic distribution of the films at a rate of four to six films per year.[{{Cite news|last=Tusher|first=Will|date=1986-08-20|title=Taft/Barish Pacts With Tri-Star For 10 Pics, With More Possible|page=7|work=Variety}}]
In 1985, Taft purchased Gulf Broadcasting, which included [KTXA](/source/KTXA) in [Fort Worth](/source/Fort_Worth%2C_Texas);[{{cite news |last=Benedetti |first=Marti |title=Channel 21 to be sold to Ohio firm |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-channel-21-to-b/192345958/ |access-date=February 28, 2026 |newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=February 2, 1985 |location=Fort Worth, Texas |page=9B |via=Newspapers.com}}] [KTXH](/source/KTXH) in [Houston](/source/Houston);[{{cite news |last=Scott |first=Tom |title=Taft's broadcasting buys biggest ever in industry |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle-tafts-broadcastin/192348958/ |access-date=February 28, 2026 |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=February 28, 1985 |location=Houston, Texas |page=2:3 |via=Newspapers.com}}] [WTSP](/source/WTSP) in [St. Petersburg, Florida](/source/St._Petersburg%2C_Florida);[{{cite news |last=Schlesinger |first=Jacob M. |title=Gulf Broadcast to sell radio, TV stations, including WTSP |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-gulf-broadcast-to-sell-r/180204947/ |access-date=February 28, 2026 |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |date=February 2, 1985 |location=St. Petersburg, Florida |page=12A |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=15 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250915115505/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-gulf-broadcast-to-sell-r/180204947/ |url-status=live }}] KTSP-TV (now [KSAZ-TV](/source/KSAZ-TV)) in [Phoenix](/source/Phoenix%2C_Arizona);[{{cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Bud |title=5 TV, 7 radio stations on firm's shopping list |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-5-tv-7-radio-stations/192349167/ |access-date=February 28, 2026 |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |date=February 2, 1985 |location=Phoenix, Arizona |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-stations/192349277/ A2] |via=Newspapers.com}}] [KESQ-TV](/source/KESQ-TV) in [Palm Springs, California](/source/Palm_Springs%2C_California); and [WGHP](/source/WGHP) in [High Point, North Carolina](/source/High_Point%2C_North_Carolina).[{{cite news |title=FCC Approves Purchase Plans For WGHP-TV |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-high-point-enterprise-fcc-approves-p/192349727/ |access-date=February 28, 2026 |newspaper=The High Point Enterprise |date=June 5, 1985 |location=High Point, North Carolina |page=1D |via=Newspapers.com}}] As a result, Taft sold several radio stations to [CBS](/source/CBS) to comply with FCC rules.[{{Cite magazine|title=CBS's audio concentration|magazine=Broadcasting|date=May 6, 1985|page=40}}] KESQ-TV was spun off to former Gulf Broadcasting executive E. Grant Fitts.[{{Cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook, 1987|page=353}}]
In October 1986, WTAF-TV in Philadelphia and WCIX in Miami became [charter affiliates](/source/charter) of the [Fox Broadcasting Company](/source/Fox_Broadcasting_Company).[{{cite magazine |title=Fox network begins to take shape |magazine=Broadcasting |date=August 4, 1986 |page=44}}] One month later, Taft announced the sale of both of those stations along with its three [independent](/source/Independent_station_(North_America)) stations (WDCA-TV, KTXA, and KTXH) to the [TVX Broadcast Group](/source/TVX_Broadcast_Group); the sale was completed in April 1987.[{{cite magazine |title=Taft's TV's go to TVX for $240 million |magazine=Broadcasting |date=November 24, 1986 |page=41}}][{{cite magazine |title=McDonald paints a bright picture for TVX |magazine=Broadcasting |date=May 11, 1987 |page=37}}] Taft also sold WGR radio and WRLT-FM (the former WGR-FM) in Buffalo to Rich Communications, a subsidiary of Buffalo-based [Rich Products](/source/Rich_Products).[{{cite magazine |title=Changing hands |magazine=Broadcasting |date=February 23, 1987 |page=64}}] In 1987, Taft, wanting to purchase more network-affiliated television stations, is looking to sell Taft Entertainment Group, the entertainment subsidiary of the Taft Broadcasting company to a different buyer, with estimates cost $300 million, and the group had a record production year in 1986 out of 334 animated half hours and 63 live-action half hour programs, to the three networks, to the cable networks, to first-run syndication.[{{Cite news|date=1987-02-04|title=Taft Out to Shed Entertainment Unit; Eyes TV Stations|pages=43, 148|work=Variety}}]
Taft Broadcasting Company was purchased by TFBA Limited Partnership, which included [Robert M. Bass](/source/Robert_Bass) as a partner, in April 1987 for $1.43 billion, taking the company private.[{{cite news|last1=Applebome|first1=Peter|title=TEXAS DEAL MAKER: Robert M. Bass; A Younger Brother Steps Out on His Own|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/05/business/texas-deal-maker-robert-m-bass-a-younger-brother-steps-out-on-his-own.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=July 3, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=June 5, 1988|archive-date=26 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126121714/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/05/business/texas-deal-maker-robert-m-bass-a-younger-brother-steps-out-on-his-own.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}]
===Successor companies===
Later in 1987, Cincinnati-based businessman [Carl Lindner, Jr.](/source/Carl_Lindner%2C_Jr.) staged a hostile takeover and acquired controlling interest in Taft Broadcasting. Lindner renamed the company '''Great American Broadcasting''' (also known as '''Great American Communications''') following a major restructuring of its operations. The new name came from Linder's insurance company, [Great American Insurance](/source/American_Financial_Group).
Since Taft Broadcasting was legally dissolved and replaced by Great American, the FCC considered this restructuring to be an ownership change. It ordered Great American to sell either WTVN-TV or WKRC-TV. The Cincinnati station provided at least secondary coverage to the Columbus area, and the common ownership had been "grandfathered" when the FCC enacted its "one to a market" rule in the 1970s. With the restructuring, however, they lost this protection. As a result, Great American spun off WTVN-TV to Anchor Media, a new firm composed of former Taft Broadcasting board members led by Robert Bass. (The two stations have since been reunited under the [Sinclair Broadcast Group](/source/Sinclair_Broadcast_Group), with cross-ownership rules having since been relaxed.) Another new company, led by former Taft Broadcasting president Dudley S. Taft Sr., took the Taft Broadcasting name. This new company retained WGHP and later purchases another Philadelphia station, [WPHL-TV](/source/WPHL-TV).[{{cite magazine |title=Taft Broadcasting now Taft-less |magazine=Broadcasting |date=February 2, 1987 |page=43}}][{{cite magazine |title=Green light expected for Taft sale |magazine=Broadcasting |date=September 28, 1987 |pages=36–37}}]
In 1988, Great American Broadcasting sold Worldvision to [Aaron Spelling Productions](/source/Spelling_Television). Included with Worldvision were outright ownership of all of Great American's programming assets (including the remnants of Taft International Pictures and Taft Entertainment Television), except for the Hanna-Barbera and Ruby-Spears libraries, which remained owned by Great American for the time being. However, Worldvision continued to hold syndication rights until the two animation studios found new owners.
In 1991, Hanna-Barbera, along with much of the original Ruby-Spears library, was acquired by [Turner Broadcasting System](/source/Turner_Broadcasting_System), which became part of [Time Warner](/source/WarnerMedia) in 1996. As part of this deal, syndication rights to the libraries were passed to [Turner Program Services](/source/Turner_Program_Services) (via [Turner Entertainment Co.](/source/Turner_Entertainment_Co.)) prior to Time Warner's purchase of Turner. Eventually, TPS was folded into [Warner Bros. Television Distribution](/source/Warner_Bros._Television_Distribution). The Ruby-Spears studio was spun off and bought back by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, and operated as an independent operation from then forward.[Shostak, Stu (01-16-2013). "[https://www.stusshow.com/archives.php?y=2013 Interview with Joe Ruby and Ken Spears] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918230458/https://www.stusshow.com/archives.php?y=2013 |date=18 September 2020 }}". ''Stu's Show.'' Retrieved 03-18-2013.]
In 1992, KECO Entertainment, Great American's theme park division, was sold to Paramount Communications (the parent of [Paramount Pictures](/source/Paramount_Pictures); the parent company was formerly known as [Gulf+Western](/source/Gulf_and_Western_Industries)) and became [Paramount Parks](/source/Paramount_Parks), later to be acquired by [Viacom](/source/Viacom_(1952%E2%80%932006)).[{{cite news |title=Taft Sells Parks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/10/business/taft-sells-parks.html#:~:text=The%20Taft%20Broadcasting%20Company%20said,the%20headline:%20Taft%20Sells%20Parks. |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=10 April 1984 |archive-date=27 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127020311/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/10/business/taft-sells-parks.html#:~:text=The%20Taft%20Broadcasting%20Company%20said,the%20headline:%20Taft%20Sells%20Parks. |url-status=live }}][{{cite news |title=Paramount to buy 4 theme parks for $400 million - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/07/31/Paramount-to-buy-4-theme-parks-for-400-million/2902712555200/ |access-date=17 August 2025 |work=UPI |date=31 July 1992 |language=en}}] (These parks were sold to [Cedar Fair](/source/Cedar_Fair) Entertainment Co. by CBS in 2006.) Great American also reacquired WGHP from Dudley Taft.
In 1993, Great American filed for [Chapter 11 bankruptcy](/source/Chapter_11_bankruptcy) and renamed to Citicasters Communications in 1994.[{{cite magazine|title=GACC Becomes Citicasters|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1990s/1994/RR-1994-05-27.pdf|work=Radio and Records|page=6|date=May 27, 1994|access-date=December 29, 2025|via=World Radio History|archive-date=7 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507092445/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1990s/1994/RR-1994-05-27.pdf|url-status=live}}][
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1990s/1993/RR-1993-11-12.pdf|title=Thumbs Up for Great American Reorganization|work=Radio and Records|date=November 12, 1993|pages=6, 8|access-date=December 29, 2025|via=World Radio History|archive-date=7 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507084147/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1990s/1993/RR-1993-11-12.pdf|url-status=live}}] It also sold WKRC radio to [Jacor](/source/Jacor) and shut down [Electra](/source/Electra_(teletext)), a teletext service operated as a joint venture between Taft, [Zenith](/source/Zenith_Electronics), and Turner Broadcasting's WTBS (now [WPCH-TV](/source/WPCH-TV)) in [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta).
In 1994, Citicasters sold most of its TV stations, including WDAF-TV and KSAZ-TV to [New World Communications](/source/New_World_Pictures), and WBRC and WGHP to the [News Corporation](/source/News_Corporation_(1980%E2%80%932013))'s [Fox Television Stations](/source/Fox_Television_Stations) unit, which would later acquire the New World chain. Around the same time, when two of the markets switched to ABC via Scripps, Citicasters agreed to a two-station deal with [CBS](/source/CBS) to affiliate with [WTSP](/source/WTSP) and [WKRC](/source/WKRC-TV).
In 1996, Citicasters, by then the owner of two television stations, five AM radio stations and 14 FM radio stations, merged with Jacor, which became a subsidiary of Citicasters. Three months after the merger was completed, Jacor exchanged WTSP to Gannett in return for Gannett's radio stations in [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles), [San Diego](/source/San_Diego) and Tampa. In 1997, as a condition of the merger, Jacor sold WKRQ and the original WDAF-FM (by then KYYS, now KCKC) to [American Radio Systems](/source/American_Radio_Systems), which would become acquired by [Infinity Broadcasting](/source/Infinity_Broadcasting) (later renamed [CBS Radio](/source/CBS_Radio)) in 1998. Also in 1997, Jacor sold WDAF (AM) (now KCSP) to [Entercom](/source/Entercom).
In 1997, the Worldvision properties that had previously been under Taft and Great American (with the exception of the Hanna-Barbera and most of the Ruby-Spears material) were incorporated into [Republic Pictures](/source/Republic_Pictures) (today part of [CBS Studios](/source/CBS_Studios)).
In 1999, [Clear Channel Communications](/source/iHeartMedia) acquired Citicasters and Jacor. The Citicasters name lived on as a holding company and licensee under the Clear Channel corporate structure