“Operation Matthew”: The Cold War Comes to the Top 40

Abstract

“Operation Matthew” was the code name for a unique, news-based radio promotion of the McLendon radio stations in the winter of 1961–62, which rebroadcast taped segments of Radio Moscow's English-language news service. These rebroadcasts were publicity stunts disguised as public service. In this study, the researchers examine “Operation Matthew” as it illustrates one radio operator's responses to the issues and problems characteristic of the industry at the time. Among those were shrinking audiences and increasing competition for advertising clients both within the radio industry and with newspapers and television. The study also explores “Operation Matthew” as an example of how station promotions essential to the Top-40 format formula could both exploit and reflect larger political, regulatory, and economic concerns.

Notes

This work was supported by the Glasscock Center for Humanities Research at Texas A&M University.