Step back to the dawn of the 20th century. Radio was emerging as a marvel of maritime communication but would soon become the first form of home entertainment, reflecting and shaping Australian culture. Episode one of Who Listens to the Radio? revisits broadcast’s beginnings: the visionaries that propelled us forward, the early wireless that was crystal sets – and some eerie experiments along the way. Transmission Statement is radio’s inception story, where the seeds were sown for its century-long reign. 

Who Listens to the Radio? was produced by Audiocraft for the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.

Narrated by Patrick McIntyre, with guests Bridget Griffen-Foley and Peter Fisk, science correspondent Andy Trieu, and NFSA curators Thorsten Kaeding and Amy Butterfield.

Credits:

‘Cinesound Review’ courtesy Cinesound Movietone Productions

‘Who Listens to the Radio?’ theme music written by A. Pendlebury (Mushroom Music) and S. Cummings (Warner Chappell Pty Ltd) (APRA). Performed by The Substrates, and recorded at Schlam Studio Canberra with Jodie Boarder and Alexis Mallard (vocals), Danny Roberts and Gerard O’Neill (guitar), Andy Ryan (bass) and Glenn Elliott (drums). Recording and mixing by engineer Danny Roberts and arrangement by Andy Ryan and Alexis Mallard.

Writing and research by Patrick McIntyre, Kate Scott, Ute Junker, Stephanie Van Schilt and Caris Bizzaca.

Find Who Listens to the Radio? at the National Film and Sound Archive website, nfsa.gov.au/podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. This podcast is part of NFSA’s Radio 100 celebrations.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.