PROSPECTS FOR TV IN N.Z.

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28266, 2 May 1957, Page 8

PROSPECTS FOR TV IN N.Z.

Opinion Of Overseas Expert

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 30. It is now only a question of time before television makes its debut in New Zealand, in the opinion of Mr Theodore Tromp, an overseas expert. Mr Tromp tomorrow ends a week’s survey of the prospects for television in the Dominion.

“It is a paradox in such a technically advanced country,” he said today, “that you have not introduced television years ago.” Mr Tromp estimated that the installation of a television network in New Zealand would cost about £2.5 million. He added that even without any advertising from commercial sources, it would only cost the country £2.4 million yearly. Apart from its obvious entertainment value, television offered a surprising variety of educational aids to the viewer, he said. Television cameras could bring sporting events closer to the enthusiast than if he had taken the best grandstand seats.

Mr Tromp envisages for New Zealand a television network of major stations in the four main centres and six supplementary stations in smaller towns. He has calculated that 40 per cent, of the population would be within range if there were only the four main stations, at least 65 per cent, if all 10 stations were built.

After spending a few days in Wellington, Mr Tromp had little to say about the Government’s attitude to television. “People here seem to be a little diffident about it all,” he concluded, “but they will soon be as keen as they are elsewhere.”