Editing Radio drama (section)

== Radio drama around the world ==

===Australia===
In Australia, as in most other developed countries, from the early years of the medium almost every radio network and station featured drama, serials, and soap operas as staples of their programming; during the so-called "Golden Years" of radio these were hugely popular. Many Australian serials and "soapies" were copies of American originals (e.g., the popular soap ''[[Portia Faces Life]]'' or the adventure series ''[[The Adventures of Superman (radio)|Superman]]'', which featured future Australian TV star [[Leonard Teale]] in the title role), although these were typically locally produced and performed live to air, since the technology of the time did not permit high-quality pre-recording or duplication of programmes for import or export.

In this period radio drama, serials and soap operas provided a fertile training ground and a steady source of employment for many actors, and this was particularly important because at this time the Australian theatre scene was in its infancy and opportunities were very limited. Many who trained in this medium (such as [[Peter Finch]]) subsequently became prominent both in Australia and overseas.

It has been noted that the producers of the popular 1960s [[Gerry Anderson]] TV series ''[[Thunderbirds (TV series)|Thunderbirds]]'' were greatly impressed by the versatility of UK-based Australian actor [[Ray Barrett]], who voiced many roles in Anderson's TV productions. Thanks to his early experience on Australian live radio (where he often played English and American roles), Barrett was considered better than his English counterparts at providing a convincing transatlantic accent, and he could perform a wide range of character voices; he also impressed the Anderson team with his ability to quickly and easily switch from one voice/accent to another without the sound engineers' having to stop the recording.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2009/sep/09/ray-barrett-obituary | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Ronald | last=Bergan | title=Ray Barrett | date=September 9, 2009}}</ref>

The effect of the introduction of television there in the late 1950s had the same devastating effects as it did in the US and many other markets, and by the early 1960s Australian commercial radio had totally abandoned radio drama and related programming (including comedy, soapies, and variety) in favour of music-based formats (such as [[Top 40]]) or [[talk radio]] ("talkback"), and the once-flourishing Australia radio production industry vanished within a few years. One of the few companies to survive was the Melbourne-based [[Crawford Productions]], which was able to make the successful transition into TV production.

Despite the complete abandonment of drama and related programming by the commercial radio sector, the government-funded [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) maintained a long history of producing radio drama. One of its most famous and popular series was the daily 15-minute afternoon soap opera ''[[Blue Hills (radio serial)|Blue Hills]]'', which was written for its entire production history by dramatist [[Gwen Meredith]]. It featured many well-known Australian actresses and actors, ran continuously for 27 years, from 28 February 1949 to 30 September 1976, with a total of 5,795 episodes broadcast, and was at one time the world's longest-running radio serial. It was preceded by an earlier Meredith serial ''The Lawsons'', which featured many of the same themes and characters and itself ran for 1299 episodes.

In the 1960s and later, the ABC continued to produce many original Australian radio dramas as well as works adapted from other media. In recent years original radio dramas and adapted works were commissioned from local dramatists and produced for the ABC's [[Radio National]] network program ''Airplay'', which ran from the late 1990s until early 2013. In late 2012 ABC management imposed budget cuts and axed a number of long-running arts programs, thereby ending the national broadcaster's decades-long history of producing radio drama (as well as its equally long history of providing daily serialised book readings).

=== Cyprus ===
Since around the early sixties the [[Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation]] (RIK) features radio plays in the [[Cypriot Greek]] dialect. They are called Cypriot (radio drama) sketches and they are mainly about Cyprus's rural life, traditions and customs, its history and its culture.
The works are written by established writers, but also from new writers through the Writing Contest of Cypriot Sketches issued annually by CyBC (RIK).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cybc-media.com/aod2/index.php/component/jmsmusic/?view=playlist&playlist_id=30 |title=Cypriot Sketch |publisher=Cybc-media.com |date=2015 |access-date=2015-05-29}}</ref>

Currently, Cypriot sketches are broadcast every Sunday and have a mostly comedic character, satirising current events, they also include comedic song parodies. CyBC has also made other types of radio dramas, such as crime stories in the 2010s, which are available online.

=== Finland ===
In Finland radio dramas (in Finnish {{lang|fi|kuunnelma}}) by the Finnish national broadcasting company [[Yleisradio]] have been popular since 1930s, and have always used well-known theatre or movie actors. The dramas include books converted to audio dramas, versions of popular theatre productions, pulp novels adapted for radio, or drama explicitly written as radio dramas.  One of the most well known series was "Suomisen perhe" (the "Family Suominen") about a middle-class family, it became so popular that later the originally written for radio drama was converted into a movie series.  Popular radio drama from other countries, like the BBC radio drama [[The Men from the Ministry]] was translated as "Knalli ja sateenvarjo" ("Bowler hat and umbrella") and became very popular.  J. R. R. Tolkien's [[The Hobbit]] was converted to multi-part radio drama.

=== Germany ===
The first German radio drama was produced in 1923. Because of the external circumstances in postwar Germany in which most of the theatres were destroyed,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heinrich |first=Anselm |date=2023-06-12 |title=Theatre as Weapon of War: German Language Theatres Across Occupied Europe During WWII |url=https://www.critical-stages.org/27/theatre-as-weapon-of-war-german-language-theatres-across-occupied-europe-during-wwii/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Critical Stages/Scènes critiques |language=en-US}}</ref> radio drama boomed. Between 1945 and 1960 there were more than 500 radio plays every year. The German word for radio drama or audio play is {{lang|de|Hörspiel}}. Today Germany is a major market for radio plays worldwide.<ref>Torsten Wissmann, ''Geographies of Urban Sound'', 2016, Routledge (publisher; in the year 2014 published by Ashgate Publishing), p. 204. Cite: "Germany is the most important market for audio plays"</ref> In particular, audio plays on CD are very popular. A popular audio play serial of Germany and of the world is ''{{ill|Die drei ???|de|Die drei ??? (Hörspiel)}} (''[[Three Investigators]]'').

Berlin's [[Prix Europa]] includes a Radio Fiction category.{{Citation needed|date=March 2019}}

=== India ===
[[Vividh Bharati]], a service of [[All India Radio]], has a long running Hindi radio-drama program: ''[[Hawa Mahal (radio program)|Hawa Mahal]]''.

The Satyanweshi audio drama series created by actor Aneesh See Yay adapted twenty two [[Byomkesh Bakshi]] novels and eight original audio dramas in the [[Malayalam]] language.<ref>{{cite web|title=Satyanweshi| website=[[YouTube]] | url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDr08PsXTGtfCxxp5UCi7GZsF724b9bct}}</ref>

=== Republic of Ireland ===
RTÉ Radio Drama is one of the oldest audio theatre departments in the radio world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rte.ie/drama/radio/static/about-us-drama-on-one-sundays-8pm/ |title=About Us – Drama on One Sundays 8pm |website=[[RTÉ.ie]] |access-date=2020-01-16 |archive-date=2021-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601235351/https://www.rte.ie/drama/radio/static/about-us-drama-on-one-sundays-8pm/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Japan ===
Radio dramas began in Japan in 1925, and enjoyed a great level of popularity after the hit of ''Tankou no Naka''.<ref>NHK編『放送の五十年 昭和とともに』 日本放送出版協会、1977年 pp. 14–26「ラジオの夜明け」</ref><ref>岩淵東洋男『わたしの音響史』 社会思想社、1981年 pp. 146–167「『効果』の歩み」</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.nhk.or.jp/archives/tv60bin/detail/index.cgi?das_id=D0009060004_00000|script-title=ja:炭坑の中}}</ref> This resulted in the [[NHK]] hiring famous writers to write radio drama scripts for 500 yen in 1930, equivalent to 1 million yen today.<ref>『放送の五十年』pp. 28–30「ラジオドラマのはじまり」</ref>

Due to [[voice acting in Japan]] having its own distinct culture, audio dramas continue to be popular in Japan, where they are now primarily released on disc as "drama CDs" ({{lang|ja|ドラマCD}}). They are also referred to in Japanese as "voice dramas" ({{lang|ja|ボイスドラマ}}). Many such audio dramas are based on [[anime]], [[manga]], novels and [[Video games in Japan|video games]], but there are also many that are completely original.<ref>「空想美少女用語辞典」『空想美少女大百科 電脳萌え萌え美少女大集合!』宝島社〈別冊宝島〉、1999年1月3日、245頁。 {{ISBN|4-7966-9421-8}}。</ref> Though most drama CDs are commercial products made by corporate entities, there has been a growing number of ''[[doujin]]'' audio dramas in recent years due to it being easier for hobbyists to obtain the equipment required to make recordings, and the Internet making distribution easier.

=== Norway ===
[[Radioteatret]] (Radio drama in Norway) has existed since 1926.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://snl.no/Radioteatret|title=Radioteatret|encyclopedia=Store norske leksikon|language=no|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref>

=== Poland ===
In [[Poland]], radio dramas are sometimes called "the theatre of the imagination" ({{langx|pl|teatr wyobraźni|links=no}}). The first Polish radio drama, ''Warszawianka'' based on [[Stanisław Wyspiański]]'s play, was produced in 1925 while the first radio drama written for radio was produced in 1929. [[Polish Radio]] has been successfully producing radio dramas since then – between 1925 and September 1939, over 2,500 were made.<ref name="Pogrzeb Kiejstuta">{{cite web |url= https://www.polskieradio.pl/39/156/Artykul/845587,Pogrzeb-Kiejstuta-–-pionierski-wyczyn-Polskiego-Radia-i-Witolda-Hulewicza|title= "Pogrzeb Kiejstuta" – pionierski wyczyn Polskiego Radia i Witolda Hulewicza|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 2021-05-17|website= polskieradio.pl|publisher= [[Polskie Radio]]|access-date= 2022-04-08|language=Polish}}</ref> In 1956, Polish Radio started broadcasting ''[[Matysiakowie]]'', which is currently one of the longest-running radio plays in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.polskieradio.pl/13/53/Artykul/2640823,To-jedno-z-najdluzej-nadawanych-sluchowisk-na-swiecie-Matysiakowie-maja-64-lata|title= To jedno z najdłużej nadawanych słuchowisk na świecie. "Matysiakowie" mają 64 lata!|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 2021-02-13|website= polskieradio.pl|publisher= [[Polskie Radio]]|access-date= 2022-04-08|language=Polish}}</ref> Audio plays based on literature are also popular in Poland, this is how the sound adaptations of [[George R. R. Martin]]'s ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', [[Mario Puzo]]'s ''[[The Godfather (novel)|The Godfather]]'', [[Ken Follett]]'s ''[[The Pillars of the Earth]]'' or [[Robert Kirkman]]'s ''[[The Walking Dead (comic book)|The Walking Dead]]'' were created.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://audioteka.com/pl/audiobooks/superprodukcje-audioteki|title= Superprodukcje Audioteki|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= audioteka.pl|publisher= Audioteka|access-date= 2022-04-08|language=Polish}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://naekranie.pl/aktualnosci/the-walking-dead-tomy-vii-i-viii-sluchowisko-powraca|title= "The Walking Dead", tomy VII i VIII – słuchowisko powraca|author= Marcin Zwierzchowski |date= 2015-03-02 |website= Naekranie.pl|publisher= |access-date= 2022-04-08|language=Polish}}</ref> Since 1988, the Polish Radio Theatre has awarded the ''{{ill|Wielki Splendor|pl}}'' awards to actors and authors of radio dramas.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.polskieradio.pl/13/53/Artykul/2862329,Nagrody-Teatru-Polskiego-Radia-laureaci-nagrody-Wielki-Splendor-2021|title= Nagrody Teatru Polskiego Radia – laureaci nagrody Wielki Splendor 2021|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 2021-12-06|website= polskieradio.pl|publisher= [[Polskie Radio]]|access-date= 2022-04-08|language=Polish}}</ref>

=== Romania ===
Radio theatre (Teatru Radiofonic [https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teatru_radiofonic]) has a long tradition in Romania. The first piece was played in 1929. The 7000+ piece repertoire includes radio adaptations of both Romanian and international books/plays across many genres interpreted by the greatest Romanian actors of the time.

=== South Africa ===
Radio broadcasting began in South Africa in 1924 and remained the dominant broadcast medium in the country until the late 1970s. Created by an act of Parliament in 1936, the [[SABC|South African Broadcasting Corporation]] (SABC) aired radio dramas along with news and British content in Afrikaans and English. Radio drama became more prominent with the launch of [[Springbok Radio]], an English and Afrikaans commercial station operated by SABC between May 1950 and December 1985.

The SABC launched Radio Bantu in 1960s, broadcasting first in [[Zulu language|isiZulu]] and soon followed by other African languages, intended to serve as the [[apartheid]] state's propaganda channel. However, radio drama broadcast in African languages contributed to subverting the apartheid government by shaping culture and identity while challenging apartheid ideologies. Radio dramas were not subjected to the same level of apartheid editorial scrutiny, and therefore provided a forum for ideas without openly addressing politics.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kobokana |first=Siyanda |date=September 2023 |title=Radio Soundings: South Africa and the Black Modern |journal=Kronos |volume=49 |issue=1 |pages=1–6 |doi=10.17159/2309-9585/2023/v49a7 |s2cid=258939962 |issn=0259-0190|doi-access=free }}</ref> Radio drama evolved with changing socio-economic contexts. Female characters began to feature more prominently.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gunner |first=Prof Liz |date=2019-11-14 |title=How Zulu radio dramas subverted apartheid's grand design |url=http://theconversation.com/how-zulu-radio-dramas-subverted-apartheids-grand-design-126786 |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=The Conversation |language=en}}</ref>

Radio drama continues to be a mainstay of South African radio. SABC's drama studios in each of the country's 9 provinces produce dramas for all 19 SABC radio stations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Studio Facilities-Drama Studio |url=http://web.sabc.co.za/sabc/home/bf/studiofacilities/details?id=9e0e5595-3f74-4c73-ae58-73d5fb7a1470&title=Drama%20Studio |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=SABC}}</ref> Recognising radio's reach, some private sector entities have also invested in radio drama, such as [[Standard Bank]]'s 5-minute Iketsetse Zenzele radio drama which aired for 8 years to raise awareness about financial literacy, fraud, and cybercrimes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Partner |first=T. M. O. |date=2020-11-16 |title=Eight years of Iketsetse Zenzele 'Wallet Wise': Leaving a brand legacy through radio dramas |url=https://themediaonline.co.za/2020/11/eight-years-of-iketsetse-zenzele-wallet-wise-leaving-a-brand-legacy-through-radio-dramas/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=The Media Online |language=en-US}}</ref> Non-governmental organisations widely use radio drama as part of campaigns for health awareness and rights activism, such as the long-running Soul Buddyz series focused on adolescent health,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Soul Buddyz Television and Radio Series |url=https://www.soulcity.org.za/projects/soul-buddyz-television-and-radio-series |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=Soul City Institute for Social Justice |language=en-gb}}</ref> Masiphephe Radio Drama addressing gender-based violence,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Masiphephe Network launches Radio Drama Series II with focus on Homophobia {{!}} Masiphephe Network |url=https://www.masiphephe.org.za/2022/10/21/masiphephe-network-launches-radio-drama-series-ii-with-focus-on-homophobia/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |language=en-US}}</ref> and the Plague in the Time of King Kapital and Queen Corona focused on Covid-19 awareness.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Price |first1=Neroli |last2=Garbes |first2=Laura |date=2021-04-01 |title=Radio drama as a tool for activism in South Africa: The case of Plague in the Time of King Kapital and Queen Corona |url=https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/rjao_00034_1 |journal=Radio Journal:International Studies in Broadcast & Audio Media |language=en |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=59–77 |doi=10.1386/rjao_00034_1 |s2cid=238893833 |issn=1476-4504}}</ref>

=== Thailand ===
A low power radio station "M.C.O.K. Radio 2" (formally Pira FM) introduces a new programming block called ''M.C.O.K. Television'' – aims to replace the regular evening music programmes. The programming block is composed of British radio dramas and an audio-described version of British TV programmes such as ''Doctor Who'', ''[[EastEnders]]'' and ''[[Horrible Histories]]''.

Since 1 November 2021, Radio dramas were scrapped and replaced with more (Audio-Described) programmes – ''All At Sea'', ''Dad's Army'', ''Mrs. Brown's Boys'' and ''The Outlaw''. The radio station broadcasts on 87.2&nbsp;MHz every evening / late night. Due to the nature of low-power VHF propagation, the coverage is very limited, the radio station can be heard only in [[Lat Luang]] (Bangkok / Samut Prakan area).
It is the first radio station in Thailand to broadcast both English radio / TV programmes on FM.

=== Mainland China ===
Before 2010, radio dramas on mainland China were usually performed by organisations associated with the [[Chinese Communist Party]], such as the Central Radio Drama Troupe ({{zh|s=中央广播剧团|}}), which was founded in 1954.<ref>{{cite web |author1=zac |title=下一个风口？关于广播剧的前世今生 |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/483800749_121124374 |website=搜狐网 |accessdate=2023-11-15}}</ref> Their content was also deeply related to the historical events of the corresponding period and they largely served as [[propaganda]]. ''10,000 Pieces of Clipboards'' ({{zh|s=一万块夹板|}}), produced by the [[China National Radio]] in 1950 to commemorate the Great Strike of 7 February ({{zh|s=二七大罢工|}}), is considered to be the first radio drama after the [[Proclamation of the People's Republic of China|CCP established the regime in mainland China]]. Similar radio dramas include The ''North Korean [[Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya|Zoya]] - Kim Yu Ji'' ({{zh|s=朝鲜丹娘——金玉姬|}}) and ''Thanks to Stalin'' ({{zh|s=感谢斯大林|}}).<ref>{{cite web |author1=李奕 |title=剧动广播——中国广播剧发展历程大事记 |url=https://www.cnr.cn/gbyj/bar/20100727/t20100727_506799430.html |website=中国广播剧研究会 |accessdate=2023-11-15}}</ref>

With the development of the Internet and the spread of Japanese [[ACG (subculture)|ACG culture]], ACG fans on mainland China began to independently produce radio dramas at around 2010. These radio dramas are usually not broadcast on radio stations, but uploaded to online audio platforms like MissEvan.<ref>{{cite web |author1=肖映萱 邹梦云 |title=中文广播剧进化史：从'为爱发电"到"声音经济' |url=https://thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_16995758 |website=澎湃新闻 |accessdate=2023-11-15}}</ref>