4YA DUNEDIN TO BE IMPROVED

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 10, 23 September 1927, Page 4

4YA DUNEDIN TO BE IMPROVED

ENLARGEMENTS PUT IN HAND IMMEDIATELY

The general manager of the Radio Broadcasting Company, Mr. A. R. HarTis, paid a visit to Dunedin last week to look into matters connected with station 4 YA, and as a result the announcement is made that considerable improvements are to be made at the station. The programmes are io be developed and a Saturday session is proposed. "Since the opening of the Wellington station," said the general manager to the Christchurch representative of the "Radio Record," "I have been reviewing the position of the Dunedin station. It has presented a preblem. ‘The public’s response to the broadcasting service rendered there has not been encouraging. For a long while, during the Exhibition, Dunedin had the best station in New Zealand, yet it was not | taken advantage of by the people to the extent that was expected. When compared with Auckland and Christchurch, which had poorer services at the time, the response was very disappointing. At the opening of the Exhibition, the plant taken over: from the previous owner was remodelled on up-to-date lines. An entirely new speech input, alves, and other equipment were specially imported, It became a first-class plant, and from ouc subsequent experience with the latest equipment we know that the transmission was very efficient, with the added advantage of ‘the attractive rOgrammes provided by the Exhibition | authorities. This plant was. on the

Closing of the Exhibition, removed to | its original site and the service continued with local talent. Although this new plant has been in operation for two years, the response has not been very encouraging. The explanation isin fact, can only be-that the real value of broadcasting is not realised by the people in this part of New Zealand. This is difficult to understand, for a visit to Dunedin greatly impresses one. There is a general appearance of thrift and solidity, The shop windows are well dressed, better, in fact, than in some other cities, and the latest developments in most things are well displayed. There is no doubt that the people in Dunedin keep abreast ot the times, It is generally understood that they are a home-loving community, too. So, on the face of it, Otago and Southland present a greater potential field for the sale of radio sets than does the rest of New Zealand which has been more fully, developed,

Once the people realise the value of radio, every house will have a receiving set. Radio is no longer a Inxury, It is a necessity. No farmer can now afford to be without a set, and one is equally, necessary to the town dweller." __ The radio dealers of Dunedin met Mr. Harris in conference on Thursday evening, Mr. Grey being in the chair. There was a very representative uttendance, The position relating to 4YA was fully, discussed in a friendly atmosphere. Mr. Harris dwelt on ihe company’s experience with Dunedin, and the disappointing results which hail come from an excellent service during the Exhibiion. : Mr. Harris said the company propos ed to at once put in hand the work of renovating and refurnishing the studio to bring it into line with the studios in the other centres. A new generator would be installed to make the power of the plant equal to that at Christchurch and Auckland. The staff at the station would be augmented in order that more time could be given to the organising of the programmes. The running hours would be increased and a Saturday night session would be introduced. The work of renovating the station has already been put in hand and except for the generator, which will have to come from overseas, the work of remodelling 4 YA will be completed by the end of this month.