Sporting "On the Air" Racing Trotting Football

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 4, 12 August 1927, Unnumbered Page

Sporting "On the Air" Racing Trotting Football

ETE PTET TEE te TE Pee TS TTF TRUM RUT hed SAL Broadcasting is giving a new service to sports’ enthusiasts in an instantaneous description of the race, match or contest. From "they’re off" to the hard fought finish there comes pulsing through the air a running story of the thrilling struggle, so that, through the eyes of another and the unobtrusive "mike" distant listeners follow every phase. SOU H MOE Ube HE St iy OSA — = — os = — a a -- = -- =o — a — = — TS » } UNH UH ASME A AUEMEL ALTE Sal ( t3

It is through these eyes that you will "see" the Christchurch racing this week. For the fiftieth time, Mr. A. R. Allardyce, sports organiser for the Radio Broadcasting Company, this week faces the microphone to put on the air his cool and collected account of the sporting event before him. TR ee SEMI R LEMME EM RE De me AER TEL ACEH E CME CMe HL GT Itr t tr Te TH Mt By Ott tt AT nt Fl TEM i Heat ft A te x PTT = KS oo KA

ASAIN Ded SSH NSAI i A\SA TTT 18 Re SAULT Comparatively few of the many thousands who have heard a sporting event described have seen the narrator, or know how his work is done. As things go in this young game of broadcasting, the company’s sports organiser and observer is an old hand. . He was a sporting narrator before 3YA was born. He knew 3YA’s father, 83AC, who had a pittancy of 50 watts, but used it to some advantage, to the eminent satisfaction of all his clients (for in those days people, though greater connoisseurs, were not so critical as they are to-day). Grand National week in Christchurch sees the sports organiser of the Radio Broadcasting Coy. celebrate his jubilee as a sports narrator. He has fifty creditable performances to his name. It is therefore ‘a fitting time for a review of broadcasting conditions, so far as sports are concerned. The fear of some sports bodies that broadcasting would affect their "gate" are proving to have no foundation, but on the contrary, greater interest is created.

P THEY GAVE IT ANOTHER GO! This little contretemps was explained away, and the Rugby Union officials were again persuaded to let 3YA have another try. The expression on the faces of the officials seemed to say: "Poor fellow. How long has he been like this?" The next event broadcast from Lancaster Park yvas the Ranfurly Shield match, Canterbury v. Hawke’s Bay. With the Lew station going at its best, the transmission was heard all over New Zealand, as far north as Taranaki and Gisborne, and as far south as Invercargill. These were the ‘pioneering days of radio broadcasting. Now, relays from Lancaster Park are regular features on 3YA programmes. THE MASTERTON MATCH VERY TRYING. So far as football is concerned, the zenith in achievement came in the recent broadcast by 2YA of the Ranfurly Shield match at Masterton, Although already a matter of history, this description is too fresh in people’s minds to need any further reference. The spectators on that occasion gave a little trouble, but the announcer has now completely . forgiven them. After all, he says they were justified in becoming a little excited. Onlookers are usually most considerate and tolerant, but at Masterton they encompassed him about and then crowded on to the touch line, so that the announcer, though six feet.two in his socks, could see only half of the field. A little more provocation like that and he would add a periscope to his impedimenta, and would be imagining himself back in the trenches on Gallipoli, TT TES TEES eT TES TTT CULE

CONTRETEMPS AT PIONEER BROADCAST The first sports event to be broadcast in New Zealand was the Rugby football match, Christchurch vy. Old Boys, for the Charity Cup, in May, 1926. This stunt was carried through very successfully. It was, of course, a great novelty in Christchurch, and instantly found favour with all owners of listening-in sets. But little did the public know of the trials of the announcer. He incurred the displeasure of the Rugby Union officials, for they said he made too much noise, and interfered with the game. The announcer was greatly perplexed. He had been safely ensconced in a tower well above the field of play, and he:could not understand how his voice could be heard by the referee, as was alleged. He thought he had spoken in a confidential manner to his friend "Mike," and that he had not become unduly excited. He puzzled over the matter for several days, and made many inquiries. Then the mystery was solved. A friend explained that a zealous "fan," proud of the reception he was getting, had put his loudspeaker on to the park fence and, with all stages of "audio’’ doing their best, it was hurling a description of the game back on to the ground, to the dismay of the players and referees on all the grounds. \ hs "\ AUT le \ ‘ D TAN