AFN Berlin


AFN Berlin was a US military broadcast station located at Podbielskiallee 28 in Berlin-Dahlem. It started broadcasting at noon on August 4, 1945, with the Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. The TV studio was located on Saargemünder Strasse, across from Berlin Brigade Headquarters.
During the Berlin Blockade, AFN Berlin started broadcasting around the clock. After the construction of the Berlin Wall, AFN Berlin radio stayed on the air 24/7 until July 1994. TV programming was normally from 15:00 to 01:00 on weekdays and 12:00 to 01:00 on weekends during the mid-1970s.
AFN Berlin had three stations:
Until November 23, 1978, the AM frequency was 935 kHz. Due to the agreements in the Geneva Frequency Plan, the frequency was changed to 1107 kHz.
On July 15, 1994, AFN Berlin aired a three-hour special broadcast on both radio frequencies, transmitted live in 54 countries. Afterward, seconds before 14:00, AFN Berlin ceased transmitting after playing a rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner", performed by William Rivelli.

History

On July 17, 1945, several GIs reached Berlin with their jeep and the order to set up a radio station within 17 days. They were followed by two trucks with a mobile transmitter, which were stationed not far from the future location of the transmitter. A 250-watt transmitter served listeners within a radius of just two miles. Stationary broadcasting began on August 4, 1945, at 12 p.m. with George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue from a confiscated villa at Podbielskiallee 28. Rhapsody in Blue was immediately followed by a song mocking Adolf Hitler: Right in the Fuehrer's Face. The first announcer and program director was Sergeant Mel Gelliart, who brought radio experience from WLS in Chicago. On October 13 AFN's jeep was stolen, having parked at the door of the studios.
On April 17, 1967, AFN Berlin started television broadcasts in black and white. The station's first manager was 1st Lt. Rallin J. Aars., who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m., broadcasts started at 5 p.m. The station was carried from Dahlem-Zehlendorf on UHF channel 25 with an additional relay at Tempelhof Airport on channel 12. Due to differences in the standards used, German receivers had to be modified in order to receive the sound from these broadcasts.
The first color broadcasts were held in February 1977 in the NTSC standard.

Productions

Radio (88FM)

Musical programs:
  • An early morning show, host unknown, in late 1950s, Mon–Fri 7:00–8:00; theme song: an abbreviated version of: "s'Wonderful" by Ray Conniff.
  • Before noon show, hosted by Mark Marcus, in late 1950s, Mon–Fri 11:00–12:00, popular music.
  • Early afternoon: host unknown, weekdays 13:00–14:00, country & western music.
  • Frolic at Five, host Georg Hudak, early to mid 1950s, and unknown host, mid 1950s, Mon–Fri, 17:00–18:00; theme song: "9:20 Special" recorded May 30, 1945 by Harry James.
  • Music in the Air, host unknown, late 1950s, weekdays 19:00–20:00, light music.
  • Frolic at Jazz, host unknown, Saturdays 18:00–19:00; theme tune: "Skinned & Skinned Again" by Woody Herman.
  • The Juice.Disco.
  • Special live broadcasts from the German-American Volksfest at the Hüttenweg in Berlin-Dahlem and from the Day of Open House at the Tempelhof Central Airport.
  • An Afternoon Show Mon–Fri.

Television

  • Berlin Tonight.
  • Berlin PM.
  • Berlin Tonight Late Edition.
  • Discover Berlin.
  • The Berlin Ramblers.
  • Berlin Midday.
  • Snowball Satellite.
  • P.L.P.'s Workshop.
  • Forum.
  • Get it Together.
  • Berlin Sports Roundup.