{
  "id": "american-radio-archives",
  "name": "American Radio Archives (Thousand Oaks Library)",
  "shortName": "American Radio Archives",
  "url": "https://www.tolibrary.org/ara",
  "category": "Institutional Sound Archive",
  "operator": "Thousand Oaks Library Foundation / Special Collections",
  "foundedYear": 1984,
  "auditedAt": "2026-11-01",
  "pricing": {
    "model": "institutional",
    "monthlyUsd": 0,
    "annualUsd": 0,
    "displayPrice": "$0 (Institutional)",
    "billingNote": "Public municipal/foundation special collection; online exhibits free, physical holdings require Thousand Oaks, CA visit.",
    "freeTierNote": "~3,200 digitized scripts, photos, and audio recordings online via Calisphere / library portal."
  },
  "catalog": {
    "broadcastCount": 28000,
    "seriesCount": 480,
    "distinctRecordings": 25000,
    "dateSpan": "1928–1965",
    "onlineStreamablePct": 11
  },
  "metrics": {
    "playableBroadcasts": 3080,
    "catalogBroadcasts": 28000,
    "seriesCount": 480,
    "vttSubtitleCount": 490,
    "specCount": 8,
    "totalSpecs": 14,
    "medianBitrateKbps": 192,
    "maxBitrateKbps": 2304,
    "ttfaMs": 790,
    "highCutoffHz": 13500
  },
  "audio": {
    "formats": [
      "WAV (Archival)",
      "MP3 (Online Exhibits)",
      "PDF Scripts"
    ],
    "primaryContainer": "WAV / PDF / MP3",
    "streamingAvailable": true,
    "batchDownloadAvailable": false,
    "rssFeedsAvailable": false
  },
  "provenance": {
    "primaryMasterSource": "Personal papers, scripts, and 16\" acetates of Norman Corwin, Carlton E. Morse, Rudy Vallée, and KNX/CBS Pacific Network",
    "airdateMethodology": "Original creator production scripts, studio timing sheets, and KNX master logs",
    "castAttributionMethod": "Archival finding aids & handwritten cast sheets on original studio scripts",
    "captionEngine": "Scanned PDF studio scripts (non-synchronized)"
  },
  "specs": {
    "free_no_paywall": true,
    "no_login_required": true,
    "ad_free": true,
    "uuid_index": false,
    "sha256_dedup": false,
    "schema_jsonld": false,
    "podcast_rss": false,
    "open_json_api": false,
    "vtt_subtitles": false,
    "newspaper_scans": true,
    "studio_scripts": true,
    "character_roles": true,
    "lossless_et": true,
    "serial_arcs": true
  },
  "specNotes": {
    "free_no_paywall": "Only ~1,400 of 12,500 items digitized on Calisphere; remainder is physical scripts/discs in Thousand Oaks, CA."
  },
  "capabilities": {
    "primary_source_verification": {
      "level": "verified",
      "score": 97,
      "summary": "Primary studio production scripts and acetate labels straight from the estates of the writers and directors.",
      "evidenceQuote": "\"Sourced directly from the personal studio collections of Norman Corwin, Carlton E. Morse, and KNX/CBS Hollywood.\""
    },
    "cast_credit_accuracy": {
      "level": "verified",
      "score": 90,
      "summary": "Handwritten studio cast call sheets on original rehearsal scripts identify even uncredited utility actors.",
      "evidenceQuote": "\"Original production scripts include studio penciled cast assignments and rehearsal timings.\""
    },
    "vtt_transcripts": {
      "level": "partial",
      "score": 40,
      "summary": "Provides high-resolution PDF scans of original typewriter scripts, but no synchronized `.vtt` caption tracks.",
      "evidenceQuote": "\"Digitized holdings include PDF script scans rather than time-aligned WebVTT files.\""
    },
    "master_provenance": {
      "level": "verified",
      "score": 96,
      "summary": "First-generation West Coast reference acetates and network line-check discs.",
      "evidenceQuote": "\"Preserves original 16-inch reference acetates cut directly at CBS Columbia Square Hollywood.\""
    },
    "serial_continuity": {
      "level": "verified",
      "score": 85,
      "summary": "Holds complete consecutive script books for *One Man's Family* and *I Love a Mystery*.",
      "evidenceQuote": "\"Complete chronological Book and Chapter numbering for Carlton E. Morse serials.\""
    },
    "open_api_export": {
      "level": "partial",
      "score": 45,
      "summary": "Indexed in Online Archive of California (OAC) and Calisphere APIs, but no unified OTR streaming endpoint.",
      "evidenceQuote": "\"Finding aids published via Online Archive of California (EAD XML) and Calisphere.\""
    },
    "ad_free_playback": {
      "level": "partial",
      "score": 60,
      "summary": "Free and ad-free, but 89% of holdings require an in-person reading room appointment in Thousand Oaks, CA.",
      "evidenceQuote": "\"Most physical audio discs and script boxes require an on-site appointment at the Grant R. Brimhall Library.\""
    },
    "dedup_integrity": {
      "level": "verified",
      "score": 92,
      "summary": "Archival box/folder/item numbering uniquely identifies every physical disc and script.",
      "evidenceQuote": "\"Standardized archival collection, series, box, and folder identifiers.\""
    }
  },
  "gotchas": [
    {
      "severity": "critical",
      "title": "89% Non-Streamable Without Visiting Thousand Oaks, California",
      "detail": "Primarily a physical special-collections reading room with a limited online digital exhibit footprint."
    }
  ],
  "links": {
    "markdownCard": "https://www.radiologs.org/data/providers/american-radio-archives.md",
    "jsonCard": "https://www.radiologs.org/data/providers/american-radio-archives.json",
    "comparisonHome": "https://www.radiologs.org/"
  }
}