Closing Year's Review

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 26, 11 January 1929, Page 2

Closing Year's Review

Great Progress in Australian Broadcasting

"THE year 1928 may fairly be looked upon as perhaps the most important in the history of broadcasting since its inception in Australia, Particularly to this State does the fact apply, as the year has been one of outstanding progress so far as New South Wales is concerned. A glance at the figures supplied by the Postmaster-General’s Department shows that the year 1928 opened with, in round figures, 72,000 licenses in force in this State, and on present appearances the year will close with a total approximating 92,000 registrations. The gain of 20,000 set owners is the best answer to any who have’ doubted the policy which has guided the efforts of those controlling the broadcasting services in New South Wales. A further interesting fact worthy of note is that the total increase in licenses in New South Wales is more than two to one of that for the rest of Australia for the year just closing. This proves beyond doubt that broadcasting increased in popularity, and that the policy formulated by the directors of the New South Wales Broadcasting Company, Limited, has been based upon broad grounds, acceptable to the mass of listeners. . A retrospective view of some of the main features of the past year brings into prominence the broadcasting of Grand Opera, the description of the arrival of Hinkler and the "Southern Cross," the transmissions in connection with the Eucharistic Congress, the English footballers, the tour of the English cricketers, the frequent rebroadeasts of many overseas stations, the Federal elections, and the best that could be given in the world of local sport. Daily Programmes. O far as the daily programmes are: concerned, an effort has been made to secure the best available talent for every section of broadcasting. The

-at question of cost has not been allowed to interfere. The policy has been with the increase of licenses to make available an increased number of features, and this has been particularly noticeable in the instrumental engagements entered into by the Compatiy during the year. In the main, the programmes presented must have been acceptable, otherwise the remarkable increase in license figures in New South Wales svould not have been maiiitained. Broadeasting which calls for a > gramme on every day in the week right throughout the year presents énormous diffieulties even in cities with populations as large as London, New York, Paris, and Berlin. This be: comes greatly aggravated when the obligation is to find programmes for two stations in cities so far removed from the world’s great centres of music, That in face of these difficulties, radio has made so much progress. throughout Australia, is largely due to the policy of those controlling the "A" class stations, in catering so fully for listeners on the utilitation side of broadcasting. The directors of the New South Wales Broadcasting Company, Limited, endeavoured during the latter months of the year to tap a fresh well in local broadcasting talent. To this end a Radio Wisteddfod was carried out, in which nearly, 1500 inndividual entries were received. The result of this ef». fort has been to considerably increase! the range of choice in the vocal and’ instrumental direction, and to a lesser degree the light and more popular side of comedy, revue, and humorous presentation. Throughout the year the mechanical and transmission side of broadcastirig has retained the high, standard to which it had previously been brought. Byery effort has been made to instal the very latest improvements and considerable advancement has been made in yesearch in regard to overseas