Frequently Asked Questions

What is Old Time Radio?

Old Time Radio (OTR) refers to the era of scripted radio programming in the United States, from its beginnings in the 1920s through the early 1960s. Most of our archive dates from the 1930s to the early 1960s, with a few later revival series such as CBS Radio Mystery Theater. During this "golden age," radio was the dominant entertainment medium, producing drama, comedy, mystery, westerns, science fiction, and variety shows that reached tens of millions of listeners.

Is this content legal to distribute?

We carry recordings that we believe to be in the public domain or otherwise distributable. Copyright in historical broadcasts can be complicated — scripts, music and the recordings themselves may carry separate rights, and US law now protects pre-1972 sound recordings for set periods — so this is not legal advice. If you hold rights in anything on this site, please let us know through our DMCA process and we will review it promptly.

What formats do you sell?

Our store sells show collections as archival CD-R sets, plus digital downloads where a product page lists them. Each product page shows exactly which formats are currently available. US shipping is $4.99 per order — see our Shipping Policy for details and international rates.

Can I stream for free?

Yes. Our 5 live channels broadcast 24/7 at no cost — Mystery Hour, Detective Hour, The Frontier, Comedy Corner, Sci-Fi Theater. No account required; just click play. You can also play a free sample episode of every show on demand, and a free account adds any 3 on-demand episodes a week from the whole archive.

What audio quality are the episodes?

It varies with the source. Some episodes come from clean network transcription discs, others from well-worn collector copies. Where a recording needs it we reduce surface noise and hum while keeping the character of the original broadcast, but some recordings remain rough — they are the best surviving copies we have.

Do you offer volume or institutional pricing?

Yes. Libraries, retirement communities, schools, hospitals, and other institutions can purchase collections at volume discounts. Visit our institutional sales page for pricing tiers and contact information.

How does the Free Episode of the Week work?

Each week we feature one complete episode, rotating across different shows so you can discover new favorites. It's free to play on the site — see the Free Episode of the Week page.

Can I request a specific show or episode?

Yes! Use our Request Line to tell us what you'd like to hear on our live streams or what shows you'd like to see added to the archive. We read every request.

How do I contact you?

Use our contact form. We respond to all inquiries within 48 hours.

What do members get?

Members get unlimited on-demand streaming of every episode in the archive and a store discount (10% for Supporters, 20% for Collectors). The Collector tier adds 50 episode downloads per month.

Is there a free tier?

Yes. Without a membership you can listen to all 5 live channels 24/7 and play a free sample episode of every show on demand — no account required. Create a free account (no credit card) and you can also play any 3 on-demand episodes a week from the whole archive; members stream everything, unlimited.

How do I cancel my membership?

Any time, from the billing portal on your account page. Your membership stays active through the end of the paid period.