Headaches Of Broadcasting Game

Chronicle (Levin), 10 August 1949, Page 7

Headaches Of Broadcasting Game

Press Assa^iationJ

(Per

WELLINGTON, August 9. ' "One of the greatest causes of headaches to programme planners, is that all men are born equal but they steadf astly 'refuse' to stay equal, ' ' stated the Director of Broadcasting (Mr W. Yates), in an address to the Wellington Rotary Club, this afternoon on "Head'aches in Broadcasting." ' 1 In diseussing tne f ailures or successes of broadcasting," said Mr Yates, "we were inclined to talk glibiy oi.

the listener as though 'he were some tangible uniform being. Actually the only time the listener assumes anything iike uniformity is when he pays his iicence fee." After that, he added, listeners went honle to their radios and divided ,themselves into a mnltitiide of groups whose vaiying tastes and programme require ments 'were entitled to consideration. It was well that it should be so because all those variations added personaiity aiut relish to lifq. At the same timo they present'ed a constant challenge to the person who had any hand in the pianning of the nation 's radio fare. There was one consolation, however, in the welter of worry, which heartenei the programme administrator and tha; was that people were now much more understanding of the difliculty of catering for varied tastes and were more tolerant of other peoples tastes. Although in Australia it was estimated that six television stations would cover 60 per cent of the population, the problem in New Zealand was very different with the more scattered population and smaller numbers, said M; Yates who referred to a recent statement by the Minister of Broadcasting, Mr Jones, indicating the tremendous cost involved in the establishment of television in this country. He quoted the figure of at least £1,000,000 as necessary for a transmitter in each of tlu four main centres. One of the difiiculcies was the limited range of the transmitters. This was 20 to 40 miles from a transmitter for good reception and up to 50 miles for less f'avourable reception. Programme costs were much higher than in sound broadcasting.