The majority of the top-rated radio programs were comedy/variety shows. Some of the comedy shows had a thread or theme to their weekly episodes that did not quite rise to the level of a plot and were interrupted by musical performances or unrelated material. There were some programs, however, that more closely resembled today's television sit coms.
Almost all the dramatic programs were either crime, mystery or anthology shows. Classical music was all over the schedule of the primetime networks from full scale concerts to excerpts from some of the best known sympathies or operatic arias. Opera stars and other classical stars also performed on popular music and variety shows as guests. Light classical compositions, songs from operettas and show tunes also were performed frequently.
Quiz and panel shows were popular. Public Affairs and talk shows had far more slots on prime time radio than they do on television today.