A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Transnational Histories of Radio Genres: The Formation and Development of Serial Radio Fiction in Finland
Authors: Keinonen, Heidi
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television
ISSN: 0143-9685
eISSN: 1465-3451
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01439685.2026.2620716
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1080/01439685.2026.2620716
While public service broadcasters are typically regarded as national institutions, their histories are profoundly transnational. Ideas, programmes, and models have crossed national borders since the earliest days of radio transmission. Yet the transnational histories of radio genres have remained largely unexplored. This article seeks to address that gap by analysing the formation and development of three serial fiction genres—family drama, crime series, and radio comedy—in the context of the Finnish public broadcasting company Yleisradio. Series representing these genres were among the most popular and longest-running radio shows in Finland. Drawing on an extensive collection of empirical material—including Yleisradio’s Annual reports, programming metadata, newspaper clippings, and radio programmes—the research reveals a variety of transnational exchange in programme production. It also underscores the need for further research that places the transnational dynamics at the forefront.
Funding information in the publication:
This work was funded by the Yle 100 Research Programme.