Watching the Play on the Wireless

From another thread on listening to the radio I was reminded by someone that radio drama was a really important part of life for me even after TV had usurped prime position in the living space. For several years I lived without a TV and radio offered so much more than music for company.

It's a cliché, but the pictures are better on radio (for those of us blessed with good imagination) and drama filled many a Saturday evening when I was alone in a new town and yet to find friends.

In the UK, BBC Radio 4 still supplies hours of drama and what is now called a 'soap' in the 7 days a week serial The Archers but even commercial radio (Capital) had some back in the 70s when it started. These days, most commercial stations all sound the same and rely on automated playout for cheap ways to reach ears (and even BBC local radio 🤨).

I wonder what the situation is in other countries? I'm sure someone on here will let us know if there are podcasts that do drama.

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ArtieKat · M

Have you found Boom Radio yet, @FreddieUK? It's independent and aimed precisely at our generation.

https://www.boomradiouk.com/player/

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@ArtieKat I know of it, but not listened. I understand it's mainly automated/recorded programmes and 'oldies'. No news. Do you listen? what do you think?

ArtieKat · M

@FreddieUK On the contrary, it's only automated through the night. The DJs present their shows live from their own homes. Lots of songs - sometimes obscure - you won't hear anywhere else. They really care about what they play. There's now 3 stations - the original which mainly features 60s and 70s but with new releases they judge their listeners will like; there's also "Boom Light" - mostly 50s and swing; the latest addition is "Boom Rock" - does what it says on the tin lol

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@ArtieKat Oh, that's interesting. Thanks for the info. I have been into radio since the pirates and done a little broadcasting on BBC, commercial and community radio over the years. I keep up to speed with thr Radio Today site, but there are so many stations I can't keep up. As Arish Mell says, the big groups have swallowed up most of the individuality of it all.

ArtieKat · M

@FreddieUK Yes indeed. I'd virtually given up listening to radio before I discovered Boom. I was also involved with a Community Radio project, about 20 years ago; my interest also goes back to the early days of Radio Caroline - one I share with one of my oldest friends who presents a recorded show on "Offshore Music Radio"

Dave1955 · 61-69, M

@ArtieKat Thanks for the heads up about Boom Radio. 👍 Theres loads of DJ's who are blasts from past and a good breath of music too

ArtieKat · M

You're welcome, @Dave1955 👍

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@FreddieUK I do say that, but what I notice is that your comment is in the middle of a conversation that narrows radio listening to mere pop-music nostalgia. Yet your opening remarks were about drama.

Please don't get me wrong. I grew up with pop and rock and still like a lot of it; but that is just one tiny part of the breadth of music as a whole; and music is only a part of the breadth of radio programming as a whole.

The stations that conversation espouses have and expect no ambition, no exploration, no surprises. They only play old pop music (as BBC Radio Two largely does now) and offer nothing else, nor nuture genuine new talent and knowledge in any field in music or anything else.

Such stations are just aural wallpaper on the cheap, so ultimately very narrow and unsatisfying.

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@ArishMell Yes, I've forgotten it was my thread!! Thanks for adding usefully.