This article incorrectly states that the Telefon Hirmondo originally distributed its programs via a "wired wireless" (i.e. "carrier current") system. It actually used standard telephone lines.
Richmond Times-Dispatch, December 14, 1930, page 5:
World's Oldest Announcer Has Been On Air 23 Years
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Edward von Schertz Is Still Being Heard in Budapest; Scored First and Probably Best News Beat for Radio
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NEW YORK, Dec. 13.--Twenty-three years as an announcer! It sounds unbelievable, considering that we in the United States are celebrating the tenth anniversary of broadcasting. Thomas Cowan, of old WJZ (now at WNYC), is a mere infant in this fascinating new profession when the career of Edward von Schertz is related--and there is no doubt whatsoever that Schertz is entitled to the distinction of being the oldest of announcers the world over.
In 1893, in Budapest, a broadcasting system was started--on the wired-wireless principle. It was called the Telefon Hirmondo and was really a newspaper of the telephone. By a network of wires subscribers were provided with entertainment as well as information coming from a central studio in the Rakosey-ut. Strange as it seems now in those early performances of the Royal Opera House were actually brought to listeners in this manner, with announcers who came and went until 1907. When Schertz took charge, and he is still at it, although in a much improved fashion, with a modern broadcasting station to handle the music and speech that now go without wires. Schertz spoke in three languages: Hungarian, French and German.
Schertz scored the first and probably the greatest news beat for radio. He excitedly blazoned to several thousand listeners that the Crown Prince had been shot in Sarajevo--the incident said to have brought on the World War.
Colleagues Worried.
No one in Budapest had previously heard such a startling report. The managers of the Telefon Hirmondo were much alarmed. Schertz had received the tidings from a friend in another country. He said there was no question of its reliability.
"The government will hang you for this!" exclaimed worried colleagues.
Schertz became the first hero of broadcasting by daring to issue such a bulletin.
And today he is probably a hero to the boys and girls of Hungary and adjacent territory, for he insists on handling the children's hour and finds in it a source of greatest joy.