We’re all used to almost international programs on our TVs. But what type of broadcasts were available to those with the resources to purchase a personal radio or go to a bar or restaurant with a radio when the technology was just emerging in Germany? Certainly not programs with as international a scope.
In Germany, radio broadcasting came under Nazi power with the party’s rise in 1933. Directly following, they latched onto the radio as a means of quickly spreading information, and yes, propaganda, across the country. Programs were very nationalistic in tone. Hitler himself would speak to Germans frequently on a variety of topics. From these speeches and ones made by other political leaders, stations ranged from German cultural traditions, as well as regional programs. Any music that was heard over the air waves, especially as the country progressed towards war, reflected Nazi values. All composers were German, none were Jewish.
Sports broadcasting also became extremely popular across Berlin and the rest of Germany. Without sports broadcasting, particularly the broadcasting of the Olympic Games in 1936, it may have taken longer for the radio to become as widespread as it was in Germany. At the Olympics, dozens of transmitting vans and hundreds of microphones allowed reporters to broadcast not only across Germany, but also back to their home countries interested in the outcomes of the Games. Reports were made in a total of 28 languages. A special, mobile radio run on batteries was even developed for the Games. Although too expensive for the average consumer, the radio indicates the degree to which the Nazi party wanted to spread information and the degree to which Germans were interested in listening in to sports broadcasting.