Podcast Summary: Acontece que no es poco | Los 99 añitos de Radio Barcelona
Podcast: Todo Concostrina — SER Podcast
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Episode Date: November 14, 2023
Theme: Celebrating the 99th anniversary of the birth of Radio Barcelona and, with it, of radio broadcasting in Spain.
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode of “Acontece que no es poco” marks the 99th birthday of Radio Barcelona, the first radio station in Spain. Nieves Concostrina, with her signature historical wit, recounts how Spanish radio began, clarifies myths about its early broadcasts, and explores the unique endurance of radio as a medium in spite of many doomsday predictions.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Anniversary of Radio Barcelona
- [00:08] The hosts set a celebratory tone, highlighting the importance of the date: November 14, 1924, when Radio Barcelona aired the first official radio broadcast in Spain from the Hotel Colón.
- The episode uses solemn fanfare (“Sinfonía azul de la Cadena SER”) to mark the almost-centenary event.
Quote [01:00] Nieves Concostrina:
“Radio Barcelona cumple hoy 99 añitos. 99. Y lo más grande es que seguro, seguro, seguro que el año que viene va a cumplir 100.”
2. The Resilience of Radio
- Discussion on recurring predictions of radio’s demise, which proved repeatedly wrong as radio continues to thrive despite technological changes (e.g., the rise of television).
- Reference to the writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán and his frustration with “prophets of doom” about media.
Quote [01:46] Nieves Concostrina:
“La radio ha muerto varias veces, pero sigue siendo un cadáver con una extraordinaria salud. La radio nunca muere.”
3. What Does ‘EAJ-1’ Mean?
- [03:42] Clarification of the original broadcast station codes:
- EAJ was the code assigned to Spanish radio stations by a 1912 international radio-telegraphy conference.
- The 1 signified that Radio Barcelona was the first licensed station.
- Amusingly, “Radio España” of Madrid, who applied late, got the second code.
Quote [04:00] Nieves Concostrina:
“EAJ es la E de España. AJ, las letras que nos asignaron para nombrar a todas las emisoras radiodifusoras españolas de onda media. Y el 1, efectivamente, porque Radio Barcelona fue la primera que obtuvo licencia.”
4. U.S. Station Naming System
- [05:19] Contrast with U.S. stations (beginning with K or W depending on their location relative to the Mississippi River).
Quote [05:20] Nieves Concostrina:
“En Estados Unidos... las emisoras usan dos letras, la W o la K, dependiendo si la emisora está en los estados a la izquierda o a la derecha del Mississippi...”
5. The First Broadcast—Mythbusting
- [05:57] The popular belief that María Sabaté was the first voice on Spanish radio is debunked.
- In reality, Rafael del Caño was the announcer. The mix-up spread in the 1970s after a commemorative event.
- “Proveedores de la memoria” (keepers of memory)—the importance of meticulous historical records.
Quote [06:50] Carlas Francino:
“Qué bonito eso. Proveedores de la memoria.”Quote [06:53] Nieves Concostrina:
“Es que son eso. Xavi Sánchez en Radio Barcelona... y Ana Martínez Concejo en Madrid, que son los que vigilan y custodian lo ocurrido en los últimos 99 años.”
6. Inauguration Ceremony and Political Context
- [08:52] The official inauguration was made by Darío Rumeu, the mayor, in Castilian, since Catalan was banned at the time.
- The ceremony was marked by strong political undertones, as Spain was under the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera.
Quote [09:01] Darío Rumeu (quoted):
“Me cabe el honor de inaugurar la primera estación radiotelefónica de esta ciudad. Y mis primeras palabras han de ser para transmitir un saludo a nuestro augusto Rey, que Dios guarde, pues en él se personifican todos los españoles...”Quote [09:30] Nieves Concostrina:
“Radio Barcelona no nació en el mejor momento de libertad…”
7. What Was on the Air?
- [09:57] The program included music and early advertisements—though confusion reigned over what products were being promoted due to garbled sound and unclear announcements.
- Early ads: Jako motor oil, Servetinal digestive remedy, Telefunken electronics.
Quote [10:29] Nieves Concostrina:
“No se entendió bien. Si el Servetinal era para el motor, si Telefunken era un antiácido, un follón ahí.”
8. Early Listening Habits
- Only a handful of people owned radio receivers. Others would gather in the hotel’s tea rooms to listen over “public adres” loudspeakers (fancy term for PA system).
- [11:27] Ad in La Vanguardia invited people without radios to enjoy broadcasts at the Hotel Colón’s stylish tea rooms during “la hora del té.”
9. First Female Voices in Radio
- [11:41] Women were hired once it was apparent they made up a significant portion of the listening audience, especially as housewives and domestic workers.
- 1926: Critics praised the pleasing timbre of women’s voices and pressured for their inclusion.
- Maria Cinta Balagué became Radio Barcelona’s (and likely Spain’s) first female announcer.
Quote [12:46] Nieves Concostrina:
“Radio Barcelona tomó nota y contrató a Maria Cinta Balagué, una señora muy fina y muy culta, que fue la primera voz femenina de Radio Barcelona y creo que de toda la radio española...”
Quote [12:46] (critic, cited):
“Una bien timbrada voz femenina parece sonar mucho más grata, más acústicamente fiel al oído por vía éter que las graves y adustas sonoridades del órgano vocal masculino.”
10. Final Reflection – The Immortality of Radio
- Vázquez Montalbán is referenced again, likening radio to a ‘tienda de ultramarinos,’ full of essentials for survival: a celebration of the medium’s extraordinary resilience and continued relevance.
Quote [13:28] Nieves Concostrina:
“La radio es como una tienda de ultramarinos, está llena de todo lo necesario para la supervivencia.”
Notable Quotes and Moments
- Ending on a light note: [13:30]
- The host jokes about getting a break due to a political debate and football, with a quip about having her afternoon “ruined” (in characteristic Concostrina style).
- “Tómate una tila.” (“Have some linden tea.”)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:08 – Introduction and significance of Radio Barcelona’s 99th anniversary
- 01:10 – The persistence and renewal of radio over the decades
- 03:52 – Explanation of the EAJ coding system
- 05:57 – Debunking myths about the first broadcast and voices
- 08:52 – The mayor’s inaugural speech and the political backdrop
- 09:57 – Chaos and comedy of the first advertisements
- 11:41 – Hiring of the first women announcers and their significance
- 13:30 – Final reflections and humorous farewell
Overall Tone and Style
The episode is delivered in Nieves Concostrina’s signature, irreverent, and witty historical style, blending factual rigor with a sharp, conversational sense of humor. The language is colloquial, filled with asides and cultural references, engaging listeners while prompting reflection on Spain's social and political past as seen through the lens of radio history.
For listeners and newcomers alike, this episode is a playful, insightful trip through the birth of Spanish radio, peppered with mythbusting, humor, and reminders of why radio remains so vital after nearly a century.