<nettime> BBC radio soap in Afghanistan

[Mike Leggett <legart@ozemail.com.au>]

The BBC first broadcast a soap opera to Afghanistan in 1994 even though the
audience did not even understand the concept of 'episodes' or the tradition
of the cliffhanger ending. Now, with 35m listeners, the show is so popular
that the Taliban have dropped plans to outlaw radio.

Nettimers will also be interested to find out in the article that the soap
was based on The Archers, a daily radio serial started in the 40s to inspire
the farmers of Britain to embrace new farming methods - hence its
descriptor: 'an everyday story of country folk'. The show ceased in Britain
in the 80s (?) and had a 'sister' serial set in a suburban doctor's surgery
called 'Mrs Dale's Diary'.

Story reprinted in Sydney Morning Herald original in:
A long way from Ambridge
Emma Brockes
Guardian

Tuesday October 23, 2001

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4282931,00.html

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