The second edition of "Understanding Radio" gives the reader a comprehensive look at radio ands its element. Andrew Criswell gives an extensive history of the medium, brought up to date for this edition, and explains how radio, perhaps more than television, has played such a crucial role in the development of popular culture.
The book also explores how the different genres of radio (news, drama, comedy, music) are programmed and processed in very different ways, and how those who listen to radio have important implications for audience studies. Included in the revised edition is an examination of the new "talk-and-music" format, and the changes in programming which have occured.

Andrew Crisell lectures in communication and media studies at the University of Sunderland. He has written widely on radio and co-founded Wear FM, winner of the 1992 Sony 'Radio Station of the Year' award.

General Editor's Preface Preface to the second edition Acknowledgements Introduction Part 1: The Medium 1. Characteristics of Radio 2. The History and Development of Radio in Britain 3. Radio Signs and Codes 4. Talk and Music Radio Part 2: The World Outside 5. News and Current Affairs 6. Outside Broadcasts: Commentary on Public Events Part 3: The Imagination 7. Radio Drama 8. Comedy and Light Entertainment Part 4: The Listener 9. Phone-ins 10. Audiences Conclusion Bibliography Index