Broadcast Electronics

Broadcast Electronics Origins

Broadcast Electronics (BE) is a prominent manufacturer in the broadcast technology industry, founded in 1959 in Silver Spring, Maryland. Initially, the company specialized in producing endless loop cartridge machines, known as "carts," which revolutionized audio playback in radio studios. The founders, Ted Bailey and Ross Beville, showcased their prototypes at the 1959 NAB convention, marking the beginning of BE's influence in the field.

In the following decades, BE expanded its product line to include turntables, audio consoles, and program automation equipment, becoming a key player in developing technologies that paved the way for modern radio automation systems. In 1977, BE relocated to Quincy, Illinois, where it began designing FM and AM transmitters, further broadening its portfolio with innovative products like solid-state transmitters and the AudioVAULT digital audio system.

Over the years, BE has maintained its reputation as a leading manufacturer of broadcast equipment in the United States and was acquired by Italian company Elenos in 2017. Today, Broadcast Electronics continues to produce a wide range of radio broadcast products while remaining a significant contributor to advancements in audio technology for radio.