Scope and Content Note
The records of the AFRTS Collection span the years of 1943-1997, with the bulk of the material dating from 1970-1992. Included in the collection is radio programming information, such as scripts, which makes up the largest portion of the collection, schedules, and distribution lists. Additionally, internal publications (like the Radio Round-Up and the AFRTS Newsletter) legal, financial, administrative paperwork, photographs, negatives, slides, and newspaper clippings also help document the significance of the AFRTS.
The collection is organized into ten series: scripts, publications, programming, administrative, history/archives, visual materials, Vietnam, events, correspondence, and miscellaneous.
Series 1, Scripts, contains a collection of AFRTS radio program scripts. The materials are primarily radio program series with a few one-off programs.
Series 2, Publications, represents AFRTS internal publications, as well as external publications written about the organization.
The following subseries fall under Series 2, Publications:
Radio Round-Up This subseries details programming distributed to units. Included are spot announcements, general background information, and cast lists.
AFRTS Newsletter This subseries documents some of the internal communication between headquarters and the many AFRTS stations around the world. Newsletter topics include developments in technology and broadcasting methods, as well as organizational accomplishments and personnel announcements.
Miscellaneous Publications This subseries contains a small collection of more internal newsletters and bulletins, in addition to newspaper clippings about AFRTS and materials published by the Department of Defense and other outside entities.
Series 3, Programming, documents the kinds of programming AFRTS created and curated from other sources. These materials show what AFRTS sent to its various stations throughout the world through its packing and distribution lists, schedules, and program listings for the radio and television.
The following subseries fall under Series 3, Programming:
Packing Lists This subseries contains distribution lists of non-original, AFRTS content. The station name, location, and program title are frequently noted.
Index Cards This subseries consists of a file of television graphics and popular music to be used by AFRTS stations.
Radio Sports Schedules This subseries demonstrates efforts to obtain sports programming and includes a detailed listing of the sporting event, its source, and day it aired.
Miscellaneous Programming This subseries consists of spots, distribution of programming information, and radio and television program scheduling.
Series 4, Administrative, details the inner workings of the AFRTS by including financial, legal, employee, and activity reports.
Series 5, History/Archives, demonstrates the AFRTS’ efforts to document its organization’s history and its plans to transfer materials to an archive.
Series 6, Visual materials, is a collection of photographic prints, often with their negative counterparts, and slides. Operations, events, radio talent, celebrity guests, and television graphics make up the majority of the series.
The following subseries fall under Series 6, Visual Materials:
Photographic Prints and Negatives This subseries consists of images of radio and television personalities, AFRTS personnel and overseas operations.
Slides This subseries contains Associated Press slides of television graphics and personalities.
Series 7, Vietnam, documents AFRTS operations in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Detailed are the efforts to get programming to various stations in Vietnam, opening new stations throughout Vietnam, and maintaining broadcast standards despite the challenges posed by the war. These efforts are highlighted through correspondence, memos, reports, news clippings, and radio studies.
Series 8, Events, contains the planning and scheduling information for the AFRTS Golf Classic and Worldwide Conference.
Series 9, Correspondence, contains AFRTS communication with networks, artists, and fans. Topics range from programming inquiries to general appreciation of the AFRTS.
Series 10, Miscellaneous, is an assortment of files pertaining to priorities, talent, training courses, and various information about broadcast centers.
Series 11, Television, includes information on programming and efforts to provide programming to service people.
The following subseries fall under Series 11, Television, :
Programming This subseries details programs distributed to various stations around the world.
Operations Documents the efforts to pack and ship programs to American and overseas sites.
Newsletters Internal, weekly newsletter that highlights feature films and special programming.
Legal Contains transmission agreements and permissions to broadcast content.
Financial Contains financial transactions and documentation on the Post civilian welfare fund council.
Miscellaneous This subseries contains conference packets and publicity information.