Spread of Broadcasting

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 796, 17 October 1929, Page 8

Spread of Broadcasting

Radio Listeners Nearly 00,000 AS the scope of radio broadcasting in New Zealand becomes increasingly wider, keener interest is displayed by the people. Licensed listeners increased by 22 per cent, in the year which closed on August 31, and now closely approach the 50,000 mark. Auckland's progress toward the development of a radio sense has been comparatively sluggish, but the radio exhibition which is to be held here for four days this month will probably do much to emphasise the advantages of the broadcast.

Already there are just on 15,500 licensed sets' in Auckland. When the ineradicable pirate listener is included, and after allowing for the audiences before loud-speakers, it may be assumed that double that number listen to the broadcast in the evening. Radio programmes, then, are a substantial, if not an important, feature of evening entertainment in this City. It is even more so in Wellington where, with a population smaller than that of Auckland, the Capital City has close on 20,000 licensed set-owners, and where, largely through the influence of educative methods, the use of the air has been greatly extended. The rise in the number of licensed listeners has been so steady throughout the past 12 months that, as the company’s official organ points out, one needs to turn back to the figures obtaining 12 months ago to get a true perspective of the advance made by- radio in this period. The licenses effective at August 31, 1928, totalled 38,835. The licenses effective at the same date this year were 47,306, an increase of approximately 22 per cent. DUNEDIN’S INCREASE Detailed examination of the figures obtaining in the different centres has an interest of its own. The position is briefly set out: Aug. 31, 192 S 1929 Per cent. ( approx.) Auckland .. 13,199 15,483 l7i Wellington . 15,255 ' 19,304 27~ Christchurch 7,709 8,515 107; Dunedin .. 2,072 3,999 50~ 38,335 47,300 22 The percentage increases recorded in the different centres have some significance. Dunedin has made the best percentage increase, and now stands at the 4,000-mark. This is certain to be steadily expanded with the service that has been inaugurated at the new station. Wellington’s total, standing in the neighbourhood of 20,000, shows the

very substantial gain of 27 per cent. Next to Dunedin, Wellington shows the greatest percentage increase, being well ahead of both Auckland and Christchurch. This, perhaps, may be attributed, at any rate in part, to the influence exerted by the Wellington Radio Exhibition, held in the Town Hall at the end of July. That event undoubtedly gave a fillip to the cause of radio in the Capital City, and, together with the enthusiasm with which tile allelectric set has been welcomed in that area, explains in large degree the increased licences. The Auckland gain of 171 per cent, is notable and, in view of the exhibition tp be held in the Town Hall this month, an extra gain is expected. It must be confessed, however, that Auckland, with a population greater than that of Wellington, does not occupy as distinctive a position in radio as does the Capital City. CONTRACT WITH STATE FULFILLED The enthusiasm, however, with which the cause of radio is being pushed by the energetic trade influence in the forthcoming exhibition, is expected to make up at least part of this leeway. Christchurch has recorded an increase' in the 12 months under review of approximately 10 per cent., and stands at 5,500. With the definite gain of 22 per cent, in the past year, radio has made a substantial and balanced advance in this Dominion, and obviously is reaching a degree of stability at which its use may he claimed to be almost universal. With the opening of the Dunedin station last evening, the Radio Broadcasting Company is in the position of having completed its contractual obligations with the Government, so far as the provision of operating stations is concerned. A scheme for the production of further efficiency methods is now being prepared by the company’s officials.