Television In City Within A Week

Press, Volume C, Issue 29503, 3 May 1961, Page 16

Television In City Within A Week

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, May 2. Within a week or so, owners of television sets in the Christchurch area will be able to watch films. Officers of the BroadcastingService said today that films were on hand, and would be used as part of the. testing programme some time before regular television transmissions begin from Channel 3 (Christchurch).

Regular television transmissions will begin in the city on June 1. By July, it is hoped to give Christchurch viewers at least 18 hours of entertainment a week.

"Reception conditions in the Christchurch area, and indeed over a wide area of the South Island, have proved to be extraordinarily good,” said a senior officer today. "Test patterns have been received quite clearly at long distances. The Inference is that Christchurch as a television base will be as successful as some of the most optimistic forecasts have claimed.”

Officers emphasised the warning given by the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Kinsella) that persons contemplating the installation of television sets should arrange for demonstration tests in their own homes before proceeding further,

The reason for this precaution. it is understood, is that when the test period is

over, which is likely to be late in June or early in July, all those who possess television receiving equipment will be liable for a viewing fee. This will apply whether their equipment is capable of receiving a perfect image, or not. “The onus is entirely upon the intending viewer as to whether or not his equipment works,” said another officer. "An excuse that a set is ‘off the air' because of interference, or other malfunction, may not be readily accepted as an excuse for not paying a licence fee.”

The Broadcasting Service would keep in touch with advertisers and advertising agencies on plans and requirements for the later introduction of Channel 3 commercial operations, said Mr Kinsella today. This would coincide with an expansion in hours of telecasting from 18 to 28 per week, as for Channel 2 in Auckland.