RADIO TASTES

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1932, Page 7

RADIO TASTES

DOMINION-WIDE VOTE. LISTENERS TO, INDICATE. WELLINGTON, March 12. When radio listeners renew their licenses this year they will receive, in addition to their license form, a printed list of questions, the answers to which will serve as a guide- to the Broadcasting Board in the development of •the New Zealand service. The matter of ascertaining what listeners want has been engaging the attention of the Broadcasting Board since its formation) and the bo'afd liaS decided' thiit' the occasion of the renewal of licenses should be talien advantage of, as the questionnaire will then go directly into the hands of the licensed listener. Much care has been given to the preparation of the paper, and when an analysis of the completed forms has been made the board will certainly be able to “balance” 'its programmes in accordance with the wishes of licensees. The voice of the silent listener-in, who does not bother to register either appreciation or condemnation of the present broadcast entertainment, will be, heard under the questionnaire scheme, and this will ensure that no querulous minority will be unduly favoured.

Voters are to be asked, among other things, to indicate the order of their preference for some 17 classes ot' evening entertainment, and many will find it difficult tq do so. This difficulty, however, will bring home to lictenersjn the troubles broadcasting organisations experience every day. There is a motive behind every question, and the board requests that listeners, in their own interests and' for the purpose Of helping the board to provide the best service possible, should reply to the questions,

Every applicant for a radio license during the six weeks from .May 15 to (April 30 will be handed the questionnaire. The Broadcasting Board hopes to obtain the views of about 50,000 radio-set owners by this voting system, nnd the analysed results should form a guide to the precise perferences of listeners. Programmes can then be based on the deniafjds of the majority, and classes of entertainment which are not widely favoured can be cut down,

Apart 'from the opportunity to group the 17 classes of entertainment in order of preference, the. applicant for a new license will be asked whether he favours local artists or gramophone records. The voting paper also allows for an expression of opinion regarding religious services, children's session, news, evening concerts, sporting, dinner music, and dance music. If not satisfied the- radio listener can indicate whether he or she favours more or less than the present ratio of each ol these classes,