Draft:Who Listens to the Radio Podcast

Who Listens to the Radio? is a podcast about technology and culture that was released by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) to mark the centenary of radio in Australia.

The podcast was launched on 6 March 2024. It is narrated by Patrick McIntyre, CEO of the NFSA and produced by Audiocraft for the NFSA.

Description
From the first radio broadcast to the birth of the teenager to the invention of the podcast, Who Listens to the Radio? dives into the audio culture that has shaped Australia. It looks at the influence of radio over the past century, beginning with 1920s crystal sets and including radio serials, talkback radio, podcasts and the story behind early internet broadcasting experiment BigFatRadio.

It asks all the important questions like: did video kill the radio star? Can you speak with the dead through radio waves? And of course, who actually listens to the radio?

The podcast was released as part of the NFSA’s centenary of radio celebrations over 100 days, which also included a digital exhibition.

Production
Each episode features excerpts from radio programs and interviews with radio broadcasters, historians and NFSA curators. Guests include Wendy Harmer, Benjamin Law, Fenella Kernabone, Bridget Griffen-Foley, Siobhán McHugh, Chris Gilbey, Dr Sally Cockburn (AKA Dr Feelgood ), Peter Fisk, Bruce Ferrier, Jo Palazuelos-Krukowski, Lorna Clarkson, Bonnie Leigh-Dodds, Tom Hogan, Angela Bates and regular science correspondent, Andy Trieu.

The podcast’s theme song is a cover version of “Who Listens to the Radio” composed by Andrew Pendlebury and Stephen Cummings. The song was originally recorded by The Sports in 1978 and became a hit single when it was re-recorded in 1979. The podcast cover version is by Canberra band The Substrates, made up of NFSA staff members.

Episodes
Transmission Statement - the visionaries that propelled broadcast’s beginnings in Australia and some eerie experiments from the early years of radio

Golden Years – when families gathered to listen to sports, soaps, serials, dramas and side-splitting comics, and radio created a new generation of stars

Wired for Sound - the ascent of FM, the birth of triple j and the dawn of community radio

I Just Called to Say I Love You – the role of talkback as a space for shaping public discourse, as well as for venting, advice and creating connections

Voices Carry - how community radio has served as a pivotal lifeline for minority groups and provided a platform for stories and perspectives overlooked by the mainstream

What's New is Old Again - radio’s remarkable 100-year evolution in Australia and its resilience amidst the internet and podcast revolution

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