If video didn’t kill the radio star, did the algorithm? Well, it’s complicated. In the finale of "Who Listens to the Radio?" we unravel the medium’s resilience amidst the internet and podcast revolution. Industry experts Benjamin Law, Wendy Harmer, Fenella Kernebone and Chris Gilbey reflect on radio’s remarkable 100-year evolution in Australia and ponder what the future might hold. What’s new is always old, after all.     Who Listens to the Radio? was produced by Audiocraft for the National...

Radio has always been great at bringing people together. But while the earliest programming was designed to get everyone listening over time, radio also created places for communities to hold their own conversations. From the early days of pirate radio to the rise of licensed community broadcasters, community radio has had an invaluable impact on Australian society. In episode five of Who Listens to the Radio? We explore how community radio has served as a pivotal lifeline for minority groups...

Talkback has something for everyone. Listeners relish hearing themselves (and people like them) on the radio. Politicians appreciate direct access to voters, while high-profile presenters bask in the attention. However, it wasn't always a radio staple; for years, it was illegal. In Episode Four of Who Listens to the Radio?, radio legends Wendy Harmer and Dr. Sally Cockburn (AKA Dr. Feelgood) delve into talkback's fascinating role – a space for venting, advice, creating connections among...

The 1950s witnessed a seismic collision between teenagers and the portable transistor, triggering a youthquake that forever reshaped radio. Armed with newfound influence, Disc jockeys unleashed non-stop rock and roll to voracious music fans. The cultural landscape shook with the seismic impact of the 1964 Beatles Tour. Change was relentless. ‘Wired for Sound’ unravels the ascent of FM, the birth of Triple J, and the dawn of community radio, each beat marking a step toward the future.    Who...

As we emerged from the Great Depression, radio became the heartbeat of the nation. By 1937, a mere 15 years after its official launch in Australia, radio claimed pride of place in two of every three homes. These were the Golden Years, when families gathered to listen to sports, soaps, serials, dramas, and side-splitting comics. The era was short but profoundly influential, creating a generation of stars – many of whom would transition to television – and laying the foundations of our...

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...

Radio is the ultimate survivor – it adapts and evolves, all while amplifying voices, accompanying us on our commute, and soundtracking our lives. From crystal sets to podcasts, we’re a nation of audiophiles – so join NFSA CEO Patrick McIntyre and guests including Benjamin Law, Wendy Harmer, Dr Feelgood and more, as we back through the past 100 years of radio broadcasting in Australia and ask: Who Listens to the Radio? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.