Wizarding Wireless

• Type: Magical Device, Communication, Entertainment
• Owners: The Weasley family and numerous other wizarding households.
• Maker: Unknown.

A wizarding wireless is the magical equivalent of a Muggle radio. The most prominent example, owned by the Weasley family and kept in their kitchen at The Burrow, is described as a large, old-fashioned wooden set. It is operated via tuning knobs that allow the listener to switch between various stations and programs. Unlike Muggle electronics, it runs purely on magic and requires no electricity.

The primary function of a wizarding wireless is to receive and play audio broadcasts transmitted by magical means. It serves as a major source of news, music, and entertainment for the wizarding community. Listeners can tune in to a variety of programs on different networks. Known programs and networks include:

• Wizarding Wireless Network (WWN): The main and seemingly official broadcasting service in Great Britain. Its programming includes:
  • Witching Hour, a popular music program hosted by the singing sorceress Celestina Warbeck. Molly Weasley is a notable fan of this show.
  • Toots, Shoots 'n' Roots, a gardening advice program.
  • Regular news bulletins, which report on events within the wizarding world.
• Potterwatch: A secret, underground radio program created by the Order of the Phoenix during the Second Wizarding War.
  • It was established to counter the pro-Voldemort propaganda being broadcast by the Ministry of Magic-controlled WWN.
  • To ensure security, the show was protected by a password that changed with each broadcast (e.g., “Albus,” “Mad-Eye”).
  • The hosts used code names to protect their identities: Lee Jordan (“River”), Kingsley Shacklebolt (“Royal”), Remus Lupin (“Romulus”), and Fred Weasley (“Rodent”).
  • The program provided truthful news about Harry Potter's status, casualties of the war, and advice for protecting oneself from Death Eaters.

The exact origins of the wizarding wireless are unknown, but it was an established and commonplace household item by the 1990s. Its role became particularly significant during the Second Wizarding War. After Voldemort's takeover of the Ministry of Magic in 1997, the Wizarding Wireless Network became a tool of the new regime, broadcasting misinformation and propaganda under the direction of Pius Thicknesse. In response, the Order of the Phoenix created Potterwatch. This pirate radio station became a symbol of defiance and a vital source of truth for those resisting Voldemort's rule. It provided hope and factual information to a frightened populace, honouring the fallen and encouraging continued opposition.

Initially, the wizarding wireless serves as an element of world-building, illustrating the daily life and culture of the wizarding world. It provides moments of domestic normalcy, such as the Weasley family listening to Celestina Warbeck's Christmas special in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the wireless's role becomes critical. While on the run, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger rely on Potterwatch for news and a sense of connection to the resistance movement. The broadcasts directly provide them with crucial information and boost their morale, reminding them that they are not alone in their fight against Voldemort. The wireless thus transforms from a simple household object into a vital instrument of rebellion and hope.

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, the scene where Harry, Ron, and Hermione listen to Potterwatch is depicted, visually showing the wireless as an old-fashioned set and capturing the secretive, hopeful tone of the broadcast (film).
• The wizarding wireless is a classic example of how the wizarding world develops magical analogues for Muggle technology, maintaining its separation while enjoying similar comforts and conveniences.
• The Pottermore (now Wizarding World) website has published supplementary material written by J.K. Rowling about Celestina Warbeck, further detailing her career and popularity on the WWN (Pottermore).