NFSA: Who Listens to the Radio?

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 Film and Sound Archive of Australia.   Narrated by Patrick McIntyre, with guests Siobhan McHugh, Fenella Kernebone, Jo Palazuelos-Krukowski, Chris Gilbey, Benjamin Law, Wendy Harmer, Bonnie Leigh-Dodds and Tom Hogan, our science correspondent Andy Trieu, and NFSA curators Crispian Winsor and Johanna McMahon.  Credits: ‘2JJ Opening Broadcast 19 January 1975’ courtesy of Australian Broadcasting Corporation Library Sales ‘From the Embers’ courtesy of Community Broadcasting Association of Australia ‘Chat 10 Looks 3’ courtesy of Chat 10 Looks 3 Productions Pty Ltd ‘Stop Everything!’ courtesy of Australian Broadcasting Corporation Library Sales, Beverley Wang and Benjamin Law  ‘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’Niell (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. 

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 and communities and provided a platform for stories and perspectives that mainstream often overlooks. Who Listens to the Radio? was produced by Audiocraft for the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.   Narrated by Patrick McIntyre, with guests Angela Bates, Benjamin Law and Lorna Clarkson, our science correspondent Andy Trieu, and NFSA curator Nick Henderson.  Credits: ‘Stonewall Day Special 1988’ and ‘Beyond the Bars’ courtesy of 3CR ‘1985 AIDS Candlelight Vigil Report’ courtesy of 2SER and Greg Reading ‘Radio Redfern Bicentenary Protest Coverage’ courtesy of Radio Skid Row ‘Aboriginal Radio in Aboriginal Country’ courtesy of CAAMA and David Batty ‘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’Niell (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. 

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 friends, lovers, neighbours, and strangers alike – and a vital tool in shaping public discourse.  Who Listens to the Radio? was produced by Audiocraft for the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.   Narrated by Patrick McIntyre, with guests Wendy Harmer, Sally Cockburn, Bonnie Leigh-Dodds, Tom Hogan, our science correspondent Andy Trieu, and our NFSA Curators Chris Arneil and Amy Butterfield.  Credits: ‘AWA Carnaby Group Advertisement’ courtesy of Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Pty Ltd ‘Beatles Arrival Essendon Airport 1964’ courtesy of RSN Racing & Sport ‘Take 40 Australia’ courtesy of Southern Cross Austereo ‘Martin/Molloy – New National Anthem’ courtesy of Tony Martin and Mick Molloy  ‘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’Niell (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.

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 Listens to the Radio? was produced by Audiocraft for the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.   Narrated by Patrick McIntyre, with guests Lorna Clarkson and Fenella Kernebone, our science correspondent Andy Trieu, and NFSA Curators Thorsten Kaeding, Simon Smith and Johanna McMahon.  Credits: ‘Richard Mercer’s Love Song Dedications’ courtesy of Australian Radio Network ‘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’Niell (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.  

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 21st-century media landscape. Who Listens to the Radio? was produced by Audiocraft for the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.   Narrated by Patrick McIntyre, with guests Bruce Ferrier, Jo Palazuelos-Krukowski and Wendy Harmer, our science correspondent Andy Trieu, and our NFSA Curator Thorsten Kaeding.  Credits: ‘Unknown Quantity’, ‘Portia Faces Life’ and ‘The Shadow’ courtesy GraceGibsonRadio.com ‘The Witch’s Tale’ – Radio 2GB Sydney ‘Australia’s Amateur Hour’ courtesy of Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Pty Ltd ‘It’s Ruth’ courtesy of Christina Wilcox, Yowie Films ‘Blue Hills’ courtesy of Australian Broadcasting Corporation Library Sales  ‘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’Niell (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. 

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.

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?