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Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio (1991)
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📖 Story
For 50 years radio dominated the airwaves and the American consciousness as the first “mass medium. ” In Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio, Ken Burns examines the lives of three extraordinary men who shared the primary responsibility for this invention and its early success, and whose genius, friendship, rivalry and enmity interacted in tragic ways. This is the story of Lee de Forest, a clergyman’s flamboyant son, who invented the audion tube; Edwin Howard Armstrong, a brilliant, withdrawn inventor who pioneered FM technology; and David Sarnoff, a hard-driving Russian immigrant who created the most powerful communications company on earth.
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Watchprint
ShofHub Watchprint
ShofHub Watchprint
72
Worth tryingReflective
EnergyCalm and observant
ToneHuman and reflective
ExperienceObservation more than conflict
Best suited forreal stories and informative storytelling
What to expect from this title?Expect a calm watch that stays close to observation, nature, and the human bond rather than plot-heavy conflict.
Easy to enter quicklyBuilt for quick funClear and accessible mood
🛡️ Age guidance & viewing advice
Family friendly
Generally suitable for family viewing.
Show full age-guidance details
Best suited forAll ages
Content levelLight content
GuidanceSuitable for most ages
Rating methodOfficial source
ConfidenceHigh
SourceOfficial rating • United States • TMDB
• Serious themes
This section is based on an available official age rating for this title. This guidance may still vary by country, episode, or release version.
🧾 Quick take
Viewer insight Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio is a 1991 film in the Documentary / History category from United States. Directed by Ken Burns. Starring Jason Robards and Red Barber. Runtime: about 113 minutes. Original language: English. TMDB rating: 7.6/10.
Genre: Documentary / History, Released in 1991, Original language: English, Production: United States, Runtime: about 113 minutes, Starring Jason Robards and Red Barber.
Runtime
113 min
Original language
English
Country of origin
United States
Type
Movie
Availability status and sources Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio
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Screenshots and images
Cast & crew
Jason Robards
Narrator (voice)
Red Barber
Self - Radio Announcer
Erik Barnouw
Self - Historian
Ken Bilby
Self - Biographer of David Sarnoff
Norman Corwin
Self - Writer
Susan Douglas
Self - Historian
Frank Günther
Self - Engineer
Jeanne Hammond
Self - Niece of Edwin H. Armstrong
Show the rest of the cast
Loren Jones
Self - Engineer
Garrison Keillor
Self - Writer
Helen Kelley
Self - Radio Broadcaster
Robert Morris
Self - Engineer
Dana Raymond
Self - Friend of Edwin H. Armstrong
Gertrude Tyne
Self - Engineer
Director: Ken Burns
❓ FAQ
Short, focused questions that help you decide quickly without repeating details already shown above.
1What is movie Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio (1991)?
It is a movie released in 1991 within the Documentary, History category.
2What is the story of Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio?
Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio (1991) is a movie in the Documentary, History category on ShofHub. Explore the story, cast, rating, trailer, and official availability details.
3Can you watch Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio online?
The movie does not currently show confirmed official online availability on the page.
4What is the rating of Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio?
It currently holds a TMDB rating of 7.6/10 based on 9 ratings.
5What is the runtime of Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio?
Its runtime is about 113 minutes.
6What kind of viewers is Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio best suited for?
A grounded watch that works through real details, context, and curiosity more than dramatic escalation.
Ratings
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7.6 / 10
TMDB • 9 votes
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TMDB7.6/10
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