History
The American Forces Network can trace its origins to 26 May 1942, when theOrigins
World War II
Post-war contraction and expansion
Post-War Europe
A large number of AFN stations continued broadcasting from American bases inKorean War
When war broke out inIran
An AFRTS radio station became operational inLadies and Gentlemen, I'm Chief Master Sergeant Bob Woodruff Station Manager of the American Forces Radio and Television Service inThe following day, AFRTS radio and television services in Iran were replaced by those operated by the state broadcasterTehran Tehran (; fa, تهران ) is the largest city in Tehran Province and the capital of Iran. With a population of around 9 million in the city and around 16 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran, Tehran is the most popul .... After 22 years of radio broadcasting and 17 years of telecasting in Tehran, AFRTS Radio 1555 and TV Channel 7 cease all operations in this country at this time. I bid you all goodbye and thank you for letting us serve you. And now the national anthem of the United States of America."
South Vietnam
As the U.S. military presence in South Vietnam increased, AFRTS opened radio and later television stations there. AFRTS stations in Vietnam were initially known by the name "AFRS" (Armed Forces Radio Saigon), but as the number of stations quickly expanded throughout South Vietnam became known as "AFVN" (American Forces Vietnam Network) and had several stations, includingThailand
InTaiwan
Before the United States and theCaribbean
Then still known as the American Forces (or Armed Forces) Radio and Television Service, military bases and facilities throughout Puerto Rico received original radio programming from Army studios at Ft. Brooke in San Juan, Air Force studios at Ramey Air Force Base, and radio and television originating from Navy studios at Roosevelt Roads, in addition to local playback of stateside entertainment radio and television shows. This broadcast service was known as AFCN, the American Forces Caribbean Network in the 1970s (later as the Armed Forces Caribbean Network) served military bases and facilities throughout Puerto Rico from transmitters in San Juan (Fort Brooke, Fort Buchanan), Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, and Ramey Air Force Base. Each of these bases also had their own television transmitters or cable systems that played back stateside TV programming delivered to each location in weekly "packages" of 16mm film, kinescope recordings, video tape, and satellite news programming feeds. AFCN Roosevelt Roads also produced live radio programming featuring Navy Journalist/Broadcaster disc jockeys in a Top 40 hits format, combined with programming from AFRTS Hollywood-sourced stateside shows such as American Top 40. Programming broadcast over AFCN broadcast radio and television transmitter antennas also reached some local civilian markets across Puerto Rico, such as San Juan.Central America
Radio, and later television, to U.S. troops stationed in the Panama Canal Zone was provided initially by Armed Forces Radio (AFN) atShortwave radio
With the advent of satellite broadcasting, AFRTS has shifted its emphasis away from shortwave. Currently, the U.S. Navy provides the only shortwaveOrganization
The American Forces Network (AFN) is the operational arm of the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS), an office of theTelevision services
European operations
Until the early 1970s, U.S. military television service was provided inPacific operations
Over-the-air TV for U.S. Forces in the Pacific is currently provided by AFN-Korea, AFN-Japan and AFN-Kwajalein. All local operations merged under the AFN banner effective 1 January 1998.South Korea
AFN-Korea, formerly American Forces Korea Network (AFKN), was the largest of AFN's Pacific TV operations, although there are also AM and FM operations from military bases around Korea. AFKN began TV operations on 15 September 1957, and consisted of an originating studio atJapan
AFN-Japan, formerly theLatin America
AFN-Latin America, formerly the Las CableVision (LCV), has one full-power VHF terrestrial TV outlet. Located onKwajalein Atoll
AFN-Kwajalein at the Reagan Missile Test Range on Kwajalein Atoll is the only civilian-run affiliate in AFN, broadcasting on U.S. channel 13 for military personnel and civilian contractor employees and their families. AFN-Kwajalein's signal is beamed by microwave to the nearby island ofGulf War
In January 1991, the network dispatched news teams and technicians toOperation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom
AFN Afghanistan operated out of a building onOperations in Western Europe
AFN in Germany and SEB (Southern European Broadcasting) in Italy provided broadcasting to U.S. troops in Western Europe throughout the Cold War. The U.S. defense drawdown began in earnest after the Gulf War, and affected AFN stations across Europe, as many stations were consolidated or deactivated with the closing of bases. In Europe, AFN is still on the air fromMedia services
There have been ongoing plans for transitioning AFN TV toAFN programming
While the audience tunes into AFN to watch their favorite shows or listen to the latest stateside hits, entertainment is the "candy coating" used to attract the military viewer/listener. AFN's primary mission is to provide access for worldwide, regional and local command information (CI) spots, which air during commercial breaks in programming instead of commercial advertisements. These CI spots run the gamut from reminding service members to register to vote, promoting local command-sponsored recreation events and off-duty educational programs, providing health and wellness tips, and listing what's playing at local base movie theaters. AFN also insertsRadio
AFN also offers a variety of radio programming over its various frequencies throughout the world. Not only is there local programming (with military disc jockeys), but there is satellite programming, as well. Music programming spansTelevision
Like its radio counterpart, AFN TV tries to air programming from a variety of sources to replicate programming on a typical U.S. TV channel; sourcing from U.S. commercial networks (including PBS), and program syndicators at little to no cost since AFN does not air commercials and in that regard cannot profit from airing shows like stations in the United States can. In their place, AFN inserts public service announcements on various subjects; these can be civilian "agency spots" created by The Ad Council, nationally recognized religious and public health charities, AFN's own "command information" spots produced by the AFRTS Radio-Television Production Office (RTPO) or announcements by a regional/local AFN affiliate. The most common PSAs shown deal with sexual harassment, public health and safety, force protection/anti-terrorism, pride in service and messages to the troops. Some people have found the AFN TV commercials to be repetitive, annoying, and condescending. AFN produces and broadcasts eight core satellite television channels in=Channels
= Unless specified, the first telecast of each channel targets the Japan/Korea region, then replayed several hours later for the Central European time zone. * AFN Prime. Formerly AFN Atlantic and AFN Pacific. The standard AFN feed airs current sitcoms, dramas, syndicated court shows, talk shows, game shows and reality shows popular in the United States, with a time delay from 24 hours to six months or more behind the United States airdates. In addition, popular U.S. soap operas such as ''General Hospital'' are aired by AFN on a one-week tape delay. This stream is divided into three feeds (AFN Prime Atlantic, AFN Prime Freedom (Middle East) and AFN Prime Pacific); the difference between the three is that they are time-shifted so that programs air at the same local time in each of the major regions served: Japan/Korea, Central Europe and Iraq. Many regional feeds (such as AFN-Europe and AFN-Korea) are based on AFN Prime and add local programming to it; thus, in a way, AFN Prime mimics the regular network TV concept. * AFN Spectrum. AFN Spectrum started as more of a conservative culture-oriented channel with programming from cable networks and classic TV series. In a way, it mimicked the "superstation" concept from cablecasters TBS (U.S. TV channel), TBS and WGN America. However, the Spectrum lineup currently contains more conventional programming, like ''American Idol'' and ''Ugly Betty'', as some of the public television and classic fare that made up Spectrum is being reduced but remain the primary constant on the channel. * AFN News. AFN News is a rolling-news channel providing news from all major news outlets. Newscasts, such as the ''NBC Nightly News'', ''Fox News'', ''ABC World News Tonight'' and ''CBS Evening News'', were all scheduled to air in the mornings so viewers could watch the headlines live, but now they air on a tape delay in the regular early evening slot, back to back. * AFN Family/AFN Pulse. AFN Family is a general entertainment channel providing programming for children ages 2 to 17. Although the name of the channel suggests programming appropriate for all family members at any time, the channel more closely resembles Freeform (TV channel), Freeform or Nickelodeon, with programming targeted at specific age groups during the course of the day. Programming during after school from 3 p.m. local time to 1 a.m. local time targets pre-schoolers but "ages" as older children become available to watch in the late morning and day. By 1 a.m. local time, programming is targeted at older teens. In September 2013, AFN launched a split in Family, which was branded AFN Pulse. About half of the day's programming remains aimed at the 2-to-13 age group. During primetime hours, the channel becomes AFN Pulse, and showcases programming primarily aimed at the older teen demographic, though it remains suitable for family viewing. * AFN Movie. AFN Movie is a channel showcasing movies as well as film-oriented programming. * AFN Sports. AFN Sports is a rolling-sports channel, providing sports news and events, including ESPN's ''SportsCenter'' and live and delayed broadcasts of the NFL, NBA, NASCAR, MLB, NHL, NCAA college football, men and women's NCAA college basketball, FIFA soccer and PGA Tour, as well as other highly rated team competitions. * AFN Sports 2. Launched in February 2006, as AFN Xtra. It is AFN's exclusive home for Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC and World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE programming, including all pay-per-view events, as well as motor sports, including NASCAR, NHRA, Motocross and other auto and motorcycle racing series. * AFN Sports HD. AFN Sports is also now available in digital high definition using the new Cisco D9865 receiver/decoder.Internet radio
In November 2013, the American Forces Network launched Internet radio streams expanding the reach of the military network's radio programming overseas.Regional stations
AFN Europe
The internet radio stations in Europe are as follows:AFN Pacific
The internet radio stations in the Asia-Pacific region are as follows: * Japan * South Korea * Diego GarciaAFN Go programs
AFN Go, formerly AFN 360, provides the following nine music and spoken word stations. AFN Go's Internet streams are only made available in countries where AFN has terrestrial stations (i.e., where the U.S. armed forces have established bases) and are not available in North America. AFN Go uses IP address geolocation to determine whether a listener can access the streams. AFN stations can be accessed where it is not available through proxy servers.AFN frequencies and transmitters by country (alphabetical)
Bahrain
Radio: AFN Bahrain * 106.3 FM: serves Naval Support Activity Bahrain, NSA Bahrain and ManamaBelgium
Television: Historical data only – AFN Prime Atlantic/AFN Benelux (NTSC) * 33H: Everberg, (Kortenberg) oriented towards Evere (2 kW) * 34V: Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, SHAPE, Casteau (4.5 kW) * 34V: Florennes (10 W) Terrestrial transmission of the AFN TV service in Belgium ended in 2010. Radio: AFN Benelux – The Eagle * 101.7 FM: Everberg, Kortenberg (900 W) serving NATO HQ and much of northern Brussels Capital Region * 106.2 FM: Kleine Brogel, Peer (200 W) * 106.5 FM: SHAPE, Casteau (200 W) * 107.9 FM: Chièvres (100 W)Cuba
Radio GTMO transmits locally for Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. * 102.1 FM: Top 40, urban, dance, rock music * 103.1 FM: Country music * 1340 AM: News and talk radio rebroadcastsGermany
Mediumwave AM
FM
The AFN transmitters in Germany are operated by different authorities but most are operated directly by the U.S. military. Some are the property of Deutsche Telekom, while others are controlled by German public broadcasting, public broadcasting corporations.Greece
* 106.3 MHz FM ** Souda Bay Naval Base, Souda Bay Air BaseHonduras
* 106.3 MHz FM **Iraq ''Freedom Radio''
[''All AFN Iraq, Freedom Radio–Iraq stations went off the air on 30 September 2011, as a result of the continuing draw-down of U.S. Military personnel. Listing remains to document the coverage of Iraq.]'' * 93.3 MHz FM **Italy
In Italy there are 4 radio stations that serve 5 bases and more than 14 cities: * AFN The Eagle – 106.0 FM ** Monte Serra – AFN Livorno (After the closing of AFN Livorno it will be transmitted AFN Vicenza) in Pisa (Camp Darby), Livorno, Viareggio and the surrounding area. ** Monte Venda – AFN Vicenza in Vicenza (Caserma Ederle and Del Din), Verona, Venezia, Padova, Sud Treviso and the surrounding area. ** Aviano – AFN Aviano in Pordenone (Aviano Air Base), Udine and the surrounding area. * AFN Naples – 107.9 FM Collina dei Camaldoli Naples (Naval Base), Caserta, South Avellino and the highest zones (there are interferences) * AFN Sigonella – 105.9 FM in Catania (Naval and Air Base), North Siracusa and the surrounding area. ** * AFN Power Network ** Monte Serra – AFN Livorno Power (After the closing of AFN Livorno it will be transmitted AFN Vicenza) in Pisa (Camp Darby), Livorno, Viareggio and the surrounding area. ** Monte Venda – AFN Vicenza Power in Vicenza (Caserma Ederle and Del Din), Verona, Venezia, Padova, Sud Treviso and the surrounding area. ** Collina dei Camaldoli – AFN Naples Power in Naples (Naval Base), Caserta, South Avellino and the highest zones (there are interferences). ** Sigonella – AFN Sigonella Power in Catania (Naval and Air Base), North Siracusa and the surrounding area. ** Aviano – AFN Aviano Power in Pordenone (Aviano Air Base), Udine and the surrounding area. AFN Italy, has been serving Americans that live on American Bases in Pisa, Vicenza, Aviano, Napoli and Sigonella, since 1983. Many Italians also listen to AFN Radio to hear great music every day.Japan
* 648 kHz AM ** Camp Kinser: Urasoe, Okinawa. 10 kilowatts (kW). * 810 kHz AM **Netherlands
Radio: AFNSaudi Arabia
Table of AFN-transmitters inFM
The AFN FM broadcasting, FM Transmitters inSpain
Radio: AFN Rota Radio – The Eagle * 102.5 FM: Naval Station Rota (5.0 kW) * 92.1 FM: Morón Air Base in Morón de la Frontera, Seville. (0.015 kW)South Korea
Television
NOTE: All over-the-air television broadcasts in South Korea ended in May 2012. The following are previous stations. * Channel 2 (VHF) ** Chuncheon, Gangwon-do (South Korea), Gangwon (100 W) ** Jinhae, South Gyeongsang (100 W) * Channel 12 (VHF) ** Daegu, North Gyeongsang (Camp Walker, Camp Henry, Camp Carroll, South Korea, Camp Carroll) (1 kW) * Channel 19 (UHF) ** Paju, Paju-ri, Gyeonggi * Channel 34 (UHF) (former Channel 2 VHF) ** Yongsan-gu,AM Radio (Thunder AM)
* 1440 kHz ** Daegu, North Gyeongsang (Camp Walker, Camp Henry, Camp Carroll, South Korea, Camp Carroll) (5 kW) ** Waegwan, North Gyeongsang (Camp Carroll, Camp Carroll, South Korea) (250 W) * 1161 kHz ** Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi (Camp Red Cloud, Camp Stanley, Camp Jackson (Korea), Camp Jackson) (250 W) * 1197 kHz ** Dongducheon, Gyeonggi (Camp Red Cloud, Camp Casey, South Korea, Camp Casey, Camp Stanley, Camp Jackson (Korea), Camp Jackson) (1 kW) * 1260 kHz ** Busan, South Gyeongsang (5 kW) * 1359 kHz ** Songtan, Gyeonggi (Osan Air Base, USAG Humphreys) (1 kW) * 1440 kHz ** Munsan, Gyeonggi and Paju, Paju-ri, Gyeonggi (5 kW) ** Chuncheon, Gangwon-do (South Korea), Gangwon (250 W) ** Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi (USAG Humphreys) (1 kW) ** Wonju, Gangwon-do (South Korea), Gangwon (250 W) ** Gunsan, North Jeolla (Kunsan Air Base) (1 kW) * 1512 kHz ** Jinhae, South Gyeongsang (250 W) ** Pohang, North Gyeongsang (250 W) ** Jeju-do, Jeju (50 W) * 1530 kHz ** Yongsan, Yongsan-gu,FM Radio (AFN Eagle)
* 88.1 MHz ** Busan, South Gyeongsang (250 W) * 88.3 MHz ** Dongducheon, Gyeonggi (Camp Red Cloud, Camp Casey, South Korea, Camp Casey, Camp Stanley) (250 W) ** Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi (USAG Humphreys) (50 W) ** Wonju, Gangwon-do (South Korea), Gangwon (50 W) * 88.5 MHz ** Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi (Camp Red Cloud, Camp Stanley, Camp Jackson (Korea), Camp Jackson) (100 W) ** Munsan, Gyeonggi and Paju, Paju-ri, Gyeonggi (50 W) ** Chuncheon, Gangwon-do (South Korea), Gangwon (50 W) ** Songtan, Gyeonggi (Osan Air Base, USAG Humphreys) (30 W) ** Gunsan, North Jeolla (Kunsan Air Base) (50 W) ** Gwangju, South Jeolla (505 W) ** Daegu, North Gyeongsang and Waegwan, North Gyeongsang (Camp Walker, Camp Henry, Camp Carroll, South Korea, Camp Carroll)(1 kW) ** Jinhae, South Gyeongsang (50 W) * 102.7 MHz ** Yongsan, Yongsan-gu,Turkey
Radio: AFN Incirlik – The Eagle * 1590 AM: Incirlik Air Base, 5 W * 107.1 FM: Incirlik Air BaseShortwave (USB)
The last known confirmation of AFN using its shortwave frequencies was in the mid-2010s. Current (2022) bandscans show no signal on any of AFN's frequencies.See also
* Chris Noel * AFN Berlin * British Forces Broadcasting Service * Canadian Forces Radio and Television * DoD News Channel *References
Further reading
* ''History of AFRTS: The first 50 years''. United States Government Publishing Office, U.S. Government Printing Office (1993). * Patrick Morley: This Is the American Forces Network': The Anglo-American Battle of the Air Waves in World War II''. Praeger Publishing (2001). * Trent Christman: ''Brass Button Broadcasters: A Lighthearted Look at Fifty Years of Military Broadcasting''. Turner Publishing (1992).External links
*