CRN Digital Talk Radio Founder Mike Horn Died at 74
The veteran Los Angeles radio broadcaster launched his influential network in 1983.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Television
Mike Horn, the founder of CRN Digital Talk Radio, has died at age 74. Horn was a long-time fixture in the Los Angeles broadcasting scene who built a career across numerous prominent local stations.
Why it matters
Horn transformed the landscape of cable-delivered radio by pioneering a model that brought commercial talk programming to cable subscribers. His pivot to talk radio allowed his network to remain competitive against the influx of noncommercial music channels on cable platforms.
Horn launched the Cable Radio Network in 1983 and later rebranded it as CRN Digital Talk Radio in 2007. The network eventually transitioned from traditional phone line distribution to satellite technology.
The players
Mike Horn
He was a veteran Los Angeles broadcaster who founded the Cable Radio Network.
Larry Elder
He is a prominent conservative talk radio host who joined the CRN lineup in 2015.
Robert Conrad
He was an actor and radio host who maintained a show on CRN until 2020.
Barry Farber
He was a notable talk radio personality who hosted a program on CRN until his death in 2020.
The details
Throughout his career, Horn worked at iconic Los Angeles stations including KBBQ, KROQ, KLAC, KFOX, and KFI-AM. He expanded his cable-based radio business by securing carriage with providers such as Valley Cable and Falcon Cable to distribute programming.
Timeline
1983: Cable Radio Network was founded by Mike Horn.
2007: The network rebranded as CRN Digital Talk Radio.
June 2015: Larry Elder joined the CRN radio lineup.
February 2020: Robert Conrad concluded his hosting tenure on the network.
October 2026: Mike Horn died at age 74.
Industry Dynamics
The evolution of CRN reflects the broader shift in how radio programming sought new distribution methods to survive against cable music providers. Horn's network mirrored the transition from local cable-tethered systems to the widespread adoption of satellite technology.
Listeners who followed the CRN lineup may see changes to legacy programming blocks or archival access following the network founder's passing. The network continues to operate as a digital hub for talk radio content distribution.
The takeaway
Mike Horn demonstrated how traditional radio hosts could successfully pivot to new media platforms to reach broader cable audiences. His career serves as a roadmap for adapting local broadcast talent to emerging distribution technologies.
Further reading
For more on the local broadcasting landscape, explore Television.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Radio Ink.
