The Big Family was a radio program airing from New York from 1948 to 1961. Created for the Italian-American community and sponsored by Progresso, its concept was simple yet ingenious: in exchange for ten product labels, a WOV Radio 19 correspondent would travel to Italy to record the voices of listeners’ relatives who had remained behind, spanning oceans through the power of radio.

In a world where international phone calls were rare and prohibitively expensive, “The Big Family” became a vital lifeline for countless Italian-American families. Over its thirteen seasons, the program offered the chance to hear the voices of loved ones and receive messages directly from their homeland.

In 2022, Cristiano Barducci unearthed an incredible archive: thousands of vinyl records containing original recordings from the show. These records, sent by the radio station as keepsakes for participating families, were in private collections, attics, and basements across America. Cristiano uncovered the stories behind the voices and the enduring power of connection in this podcast series from Rai Radiotelevisione Italiana.

The New York Festivals® 2026 Radio Awards®, celebrating creative excellence in audio storytelling, is open for entries.