Broadcasting of Sporting Fixtures

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 27, 18 January 1929, Page 25

Broadcasting of Sporting Fixtures

Logical Arguments Advanced by Australian Magazine

JN view of the repression of broadcasting of certain of the sporting fixtures in this country, the following article, written for "Wireless Weekly" (Australia), should have great significance. Evidently a position has arisen in Australia regarding the broadcasting of cricket somewhat akin to the position here regarding the racing, hough the matter is yet in the embryo. stage. In opposing the suggestion this magazine has, in our opinion, struck at the principle involved, that is: that these authorities have not the moral right to suppress a public demand. The march of progress demands wireless, wireless must satisfy the public, the public demand sporting. Where, then, is the justification for the suppression of this valuable news? SOME comment has been caused by the discussion of a suggestion recently made that a cricket association should restrict or prohibit the broadcasting of sporting fixtures. Readers’ opinions expressed in the daily press naturally show that the proposal is not popular. The opinions obviously would, in the main, be those of interested broadcast listeners. The subject ‘ is worth examining. The interest taken in the discussion is at once an indication .of the popularity of sport-

ing items in broadcasting programmes, and evidence of the manner in which the new service is invading the domain of older services. In short, it shows the advance of the "novel stunt" of broadcasting, as it was termed but a very few years ago. "Broadcasting is a community service, if, indeed, it is not a public utility. "All sections of the community, young or old, look to it for some information, instruction, or entertainment. Some there are who. do not care a rap for sport; some want only religious services; others want jazz, and plenty of it; while sections not to be overlooked rely on »roadeasting for information, for education and for. matters of general interest. "Thus it is that the theatre, the church, the school, the markets, bureaus, and the sporting fields find a new avenue for interesting their particular adherents as well as the general public. And none of them can afford to say, ‘We will not let this be broadeast;’ they cannot adopt a dog-in-the-manger attitude.. Similarly the newspapers, the musical entrepreneurs and the sporting promoters will not be able to stop the broadcasting of matter which the listeners want. The march of progress cannot be stopped.

"Not that broadcasting is likely to render those institutions of less utility or attractiveness; it is not likely to put the newspapers out of business, or reduce the attendances in church or at sporting meetings. On the contrary, it is calculated to be of value in giving publicity in quarters where it has not been felt previously. It will be complementary to other methods of publicitynot competitive. Already in Melbourne 3LO has been the means of interesting many people in sport and other matters, who otherwise would not have been attracted to the events. And the large volume of correspondence from all parts of the Commonwealth testifies to the interest taken in sporting descriptions and results by listeners. [New Zealand listeners, too, are indebted to the excellent broadeasts of the Metropolitan meetings, They have become quite a feature. ] Generally. the Australian | experience is that sporting bodies are sufficiently public-spirited to listen to public demands, and are always willing to be influenced by ‘sweet reasonableness.’ That being so, there is no fear of retrograde steps being taken." T is to be trusted that Australian "sports" ‘will not try to emulate their New Zealand confederates, for the broadcasts of these Australian fixtures have already become a feature among New Zealanders both in the relays and in listening-in direct. : ;