A Level Media - War Of The Worlds - Radio Industry

Summary

This video offers an easy-to-understand guide to the War of the Worlds radio broadcast, focusing on its impact on the radio industry. Aimed at AQA A-level Media Studies students, it explores the growing popularity of radio in the early 20th century, the role of CBS, and the influence of Orson Welles and Howard Koch in creating the iconic broadcast. The video highlights how the radio drama's realistic style, controversial nature, and timing led to public confusion, regulatory changes, and significant media attention, including its unintended connection to Hitler. The broadcast remains a milestone in media history.

Takeaways

• 😀 The War of the Worlds radio broadcast is a key media text for AQA A-level Media Studies, particularly focusing on the radio industry.
• 😀 In the early 20th century, radio became increasingly popular, offering more up-to-date news than newspapers during times of rising tensions in Europe.
• 😀 CBS (Columbia Broadcasting Company) was the commercial radio station that aired the War of the Worlds broadcast, emphasizing the importance of ratings and audience engagement.
• 😀 Orson Welles, known for his distinct directorial style, directed the War of the Worlds broadcast, drawing inspiration from past works like Ronald Knox’s 'Broadcasting the Barricades'.
• 😀 Howard Koch, the writer, modernized the setting of the story to New York, making it more relatable and appealing to the contemporary audience.
• 😀 The broadcast featured live performances, including actors, voice artists, and an orchestra, alongside creative sound effects that heightened the atmosphere and tension.
• 😀 CBS engaged in self-regulation by changing real names in the script to fictional ones to avoid legal consequences, and also included reminders that the broadcast was fictional.
• 😀 The timing of the broadcast on October 30th, just before Halloween, was intentional, as Welles viewed it as a Halloween special designed to create a horrifying experience.
• 😀 The broadcast caused confusion and led to numerous complaints, prompting the FCC to ban fictionalized news reports, marking a significant regulatory shift in media.
• 😀 Despite the controversies, CBS and Welles used the publicity to their advantage, although they distanced themselves from any association with Hitler after his speech referencing the broadcast.

Q & A

What was the significance of the *War of the Worlds* radio broadcast in the context of the radio industry?

The broadcast marked a pivotal moment in the history of radio, as it showcased the medium's power to deliver highly immersive, realistic content. It also contributed to the increasing popularity of radio over newspapers, especially for news updates during times of political tension, such as before World War II.

Why did people turn to radio for news during this time period?

Radio became more popular than newspapers because it provided up-to-date, live news, especially as Europe faced growing political tensions and the threat of war. People felt radio offered more immediate access to breaking news, unlike newspapers that could not deliver real-time information.

How did the commercial nature of CBS influence the content of the *War of the Worlds* broadcast?

As a commercial station, CBS was focused on attracting large audiences to boost ratings and revenue. This pressure led to the inclusion of controversial content in the broadcast, as sensational topics were known to generate attention and attract listeners.

How did Orson Welles' role as a director influence the *War of the Worlds* broadcast?

Orson Welles, known for his unique style and success in theater and radio, directed *War of the Worlds* with a focus on creating a realistic and immersive experience. His direction and innovative approach to sound effects and narrative helped make the broadcast feel convincing and dramatic, which contributed to the public's confusion.

Why did CBS choose to adapt *War of the Worlds* to a modern-day setting?

CBS, through writer Howard Koch, chose to modernize the setting of *War of the Worlds* by placing it in contemporary New York to make the broadcast feel more relatable to the audience. The modern setting helped connect listeners to the story and made it seem more relevant to the times.

What role did sound effects play in the *War of the Worlds* broadcast?

Sound effects were critical in creating the atmosphere and tension during the broadcast. The live orchestra and sound effects team worked together to generate an immersive environment, making the fictional Martian invasion appear real and heightening the emotional impact on listeners.

How did CBS and Orson Welles attempt to manage potential confusion from the *War of the Worlds* broadcast?

CBS and Orson Welles tried to manage confusion by issuing reminders that the broadcast was fictional, especially later in the evening. They also made changes to the script, such as fictionalizing the names of real companies, to avoid legal repercussions and reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings.

What impact did the *War of the Worlds* broadcast have on media regulations?

The broadcast led to the FCC banning fictionalized news reports on the radio to prevent further confusion and panic. This was a direct result of the public's reaction to the broadcast, which demonstrated the potential dangers of presenting fictional content as real news.

How did the timing of the broadcast (October 30th, the day before Halloween) contribute to its impact?

The broadcast's timing just before Halloween helped set the tone for a spooky and terrifying experience. Orson Welles referred to it as a Halloween special, which contributed to its eerie atmosphere, further adding to the sense of fear and confusion among listeners.

How did the public react to the *War of the Worlds* broadcast, and how did CBS handle the aftermath?

The public reaction was mixed, with some listeners believing the broadcast was real and experiencing panic. CBS played up the publicity surrounding the broadcast but distanced itself from any association with Hitler, who had mentioned the broadcast in a speech. Despite the controversy, CBS benefitted from the publicity and chose not to continue promoting the incident.