Find in Library

<p>In 2023, the 100th birthday of “Unterhaltungs-Rundfunk” (Entertainment Radio Broadcasting) in Germany was celebrated with numerous special exhibitions and contributions in the press, radio and television. In this context, details on the historical development of this communication medium were also presented. It was not uncommon for references to be made to statements by Hans Bredow, the so-called “Vater des Rundfunks” (Father of Rundfunk), who as State Secretary in the Postal Ministry was responsible for organizing wireless technology in Germany after the First World War. In this article we examine the question of why broadcasting was introduced relatively late in Germany compared to other technically highly developed countries such as the United States, England and France. In order to get closer to a coherent answer based on the current state of entertainment broadcasting history in Germany, it is also necessary to draw on historical sources that do not assume a Bredow-centered perspective. In particular, Bredow's use of the term “Rundfunk” for different communication systems that were developed in Germany during and after the First World War contributed to understanding the road to “Unterhaltungs-Rundfunk” as a linear historical development, which was not the case.</p>