Flagship (broadcasting)

In broadcasting, a flagship (also known as a flagship station) is the broadcast station which originates a television network, or a particular radio or television program that plays a key role in the branding of and consumer loyalty to a network or station.This includes both direct network feeds and broadcast syndication, but generally not backhauls. Not all networks or shows have a flagship station, as some originate from a dedicated radio or television studio.

The term derives from the naval custom where the commanding officer of a group of naval ships would fly a distinguishing flag. In common parlance, "flagship" is now used to mean the most important or leading member of a group, hence its various uses in broadcasting. The term is primarily used in TV and radio in the United States and Canada.

A flagship radio station is the principal station from which a radio network's programs are fed to affiliates.

In the United States, traditional radio networks currently operate without flagship stations as defined in this article. Network operations and those of the local owned-and-operated or affiliated stations in the same city are now separate and may come under different corporate entities.

In the U.S., ABC Radio programming is produced by ABC News and distributed by Cumulus Media, which owns and operates WABC in New York City and KABC in Los Angeles (among other stations). CBS Radio produces programming for distribution by Westwood One, but local stations WCBS and WINS in New York City and KNX and KFWB in Los Angeles are operated separately from the network radio news operation. Clear Channel Communications follows a similar model: flagship stations WOR/New York City (which it acquired in 2012) and KFI/Los Angeles are both operated mostly separately from its syndication wing, Premiere Networks (Premiere does produce some limited programming, including The Jesus Christ Show, The Tech Guy and Handel on the Law, through KFI).

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