August Wilson Plays Coming to WNYC

Drama's Return to Radio
Ten plays by August Wilson are being produced for performance in WNYC's Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. The plays will be webcast on the greenspace.org one time only. Starting in January they will be broadcast on WNYC and other radio stations.

Taking a Risk
WNYC is taking a programming risk presenting plays on the radio. This despite doing this for all the right reasons. Drama was a staple of radio in the 30's and 40's. After Television took over the form in the 1950's, drama on radio faded to black on the radio. That is, with the exception of some public radio stations. In the 1990's, drama on public radio finally faded to to black. There just wasn't that much listener interest.  One of public radio's researchers was asked (many times) what's the best time to air drama on the radio? The answer was 1947. That answer is still true. Listening to long form plays is not how radio is used by listeners. Listeners tune in and tune out at all times at their own convenience. Appointment listening is rare and getting rarer on the radio. On demand and time shifting is increasing in importance but TSL is not in hours but in minutes.

You can read more about the series in Newsday.
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/columnists/linda-winer/august-wilson-plays-coming-to-public-radio-1.5926653