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.

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

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.

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

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.

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