As the predecessor to television, radio programs have many commonalities in structure and content to TV programming, although the way program storyline is presented to the user. On OTR.com, all of the Internet audience is able to listen to a variety of radio programs from decades ago. After listening to Captain Midnight - The Perada Treasures, Episode 1, it is interesting to look at the program's characteristics that are still a part of popular entertainment.
Aside from the obvious variance in visuals, there are plenty of things that radio and television share characteristically. Without the visual presentation of the scene and setting, it is essential that the announcer set up the scene and give story background at the beginning, just like how television programs recap the previous episode at the beginning. Character stereotyping is something done in entertainment to help the audience immediately 'know' the character without having to say very much, but in radio, the stereotyping is even stronger. The Spanish character in this episode has a terrible accent, most likely not a person of hispanic origin at all, as there is no need anyway because the audience cannot see the speaker.
Advertisements are still prominent, except, in radio, the ads are done by the announcer and are at the beginning and end of the program, instead of throughout the program. A fifteen minute show, Captain Midnight ads feature one sponsor and a plug for the show's fan club. The ending ads do not introduce new commercials, but recap the same sponsor. Interesting enough though, programs has fan clubs and free incentives for fan viewers, just like we have today. Although now one can go online and register for these, the announcer tells the audience that to join the Captain Midnight club, all you have to do is go down to the local store to sign up on paper.
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