saatesarju

Saatesarju (Estonian for a radio series) is a radio program format consisting of a set of episodes that form a connected narrative or a thematically linked sequence. Saatesarju can be fictional drama, documentary, or talk/variety formats carried over multiple episodes, as opposed to standalone broadcasts.

Typical saatesarju features include a continuing storyline or recurring characters, serialized plots, consistent pacing, and an overarching theme. Episodes may range from short segments to feature-length broadcasts and are often released on a regular schedule, such as weekly.

Production involves scriptwriting, voice acting, sound design, and post-production. The format is well suited to online distribution, with many saatesarjad also released as podcasts or available on-demand after broadcast.

Historically, saatesarju are part of radio broadcasting worldwide, including Estonia, where both public broadcaster ERR and independent producers create such programs. They serve educational, cultural, and entertainment purposes and are used to convey fiction, history, language learning, or current events in an engaging way.

Significant features include continuity, cliffhangers, and archival value; many saatesarju maintain a cast of recurring characters and a consistent sound design to create a sense of world-building.