Racing "On the Air"

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 47, 8 June 1928, Page 5

Racing "On the Air"

Wahancing the Popularity of the Sport {He very ‘uccessful broaccasting of a running description of the three days’ racing carnival at Ellerslie on June 2, 4, and 6, is the reason for this reference to the effect of broadcasting on sport generally, and particularly so far as racing is concerned. There have, up to recently, been mixed views on how much sport, the clubs, and the public benefit from broadcast descriptions, but opinion seems to have definitely swung round to the view that the more publicity any sport gets the better it is for all concerned. It has been clearly demonstrated in respect to boxing and football that broadcast descrip-tions-the more graphic they are the better-foster interest in the events. Such being the case, the sporting club must benefit. UNDOUBTEDLY the main factor exercising the minds of those in control of racing is "Does broadcasting affect attendances?" In this respect there is no evidence, as far as we know, that the broadcasting of race meetings, or in fact the broadcast of any sporting event, is detrimental to the attendance. On the contrary, there are many concrete instances to show that broadcasting tends directly to increase interest, and indirectly the patronage. To the best of our knowledge, no country outside New Zealand has revoked permission to broadcast any sport, SPORT and sporting clubs hold their prestige through the goodwill of the public, and there is no better means of fostering that goodwill-and promoting goodwill where it does not at present exist, which it does not among certain sections of the public-than by pubtici:y, by the telling of the public all about the sport in question and increasing their interest All sport welcomes unlimited publicity -such publicity-as is given by radio broadcast descriptions. "PHERE are meny thousands who have never yet heen on a raceconrs? who listen to the meetings with the greatest pleasurethis is proved by reports received-and whose goodwill is auto-° matically being fostered continually. T is significant that to date the Broadcasting Company has not receivel one adverse report in respect to the broadcasting of its racing relays. In fact, the public hears through the loudspeaker nothing prejudicial to racing, but is entertained with a description of the pretty surroundings, regaled wtih band music at various intervals, and. thrilled, just as the actual spectators are, with the exciling finish of a race. It would appear, therefore, that this form of entertainment must please, and that the racing authorities secure a great amount of goodwill from people who have not hitherto been sympathetic towards the sport, and who would continue to be unsympathetic were it not for the entertainment enjoyed through the medium of broadcasting. HE uitimate effect of this ‘new stay-at-home interest in racing must result in lessening any hostility towards this form of sport, and it would seem that opposition to the broadcasting of race meetings should come from those opposed to such forms of sport instead of frem’ those fosterine suen. T is well known that a great deal of the opposition by the clubs comes from the fact that broadcasting is being made use of by a section of the community termed "bookmakers," This is undoubtedly true, but the question is, should ‘all sections of the community be penal’sed because of these few law-breakers. It can also be shown net too mich is made of this fact, because it is perfectly well known tvat the boc kmakers have their own organisation for the forwarding of information reiative to racing, and this is continued despite broadcasting, F a bookmaker has a radio receiver with which he can hear Auckland in Dunedin or Christchurch; or Dunedin in Auckland, and the four stations are on the gir every race day, then the bookmaker has a service which will sunrly him with fifty-two days’ racing, while his contemporary under his independently organised method receives information concerning 242 days; and 87 days’ trotting could be broadcast out of 78. The bookmaker sees to it that he gets his information independently of any broadcasting. BROADCASTING is a means of disseminating news promptly and efficiently to large numbers, frequently giving immediate information which in many cases would not reach out-back settlers for days. This is a service to the community. and it is claimed that this entitles the company to the same privileges as extended to the Press at any fixture. The com»ony renders its service gratis to the club, fequires verv little provision in the way of stand reservation and ‘cecommodation, and bears the whole cost of the installation and carrying out the relay.