Broadcasting in Canada

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 10, 20 September 1929, Page 14

Broadcasting in Canada

Proposals of Commission (THE report of the Commission which ‘wis’ appointed: to investigate. the question of establishing a satisfactory broadcasting system in Canada. has now been presented. According to Press cabled. information, the recommendation is that a compreéhétisive system should be established and be operated by a Governmeént-owned ¢ompany, comprising three representitives in the: Dominion of Canada and one from each of the nine provinces.: It is proposed to ;service Canada by seven super stations of 50,000 watts each, at an .estimated cost of £700,000. For this figure a.vety Strong series. of stations -should. be available, The proposal is that each licensed listener shall contribute the sum. of 12s. per annuih, which is calculated to yield £200,000, abnually, Direct advertising and sponsored musical programmes are expected to return a similar aimount, and a grant from the Government of up to £200,000 annually is relied upon to meet the annual operating cost, which is. estimated to be £500,000 sterling . annually. The present owners of stations w,. be recompensed when the plants are taken over or dismantled. ' The report. will require the detailed consideration of Cabinet before it is finally adopted, as of course important legislation’ will. be inyelyed if the. proposal is proceeded with on the basis advanced. As a preliminary to the presentation of this report, the Canadian. Radio Commission paid ‘a visit to Britain, where it fully investigated the system initiated and operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation. The report is otviously based upon the procedure of the B\B.C., with. various adaptations to Canadian. circumstaaces, Canada has only nine millions of a population, compared with Britain’s forty-five millions, so that her initial revenue from listeners is:much less. Further, the areas to be served in Canada are so vastly greater that high-poweted stations at wide distances are requited to Serve the population and give adequate coverage, In addition, by reason of her proximity to the United States, many Canadian radio enthusiasts have been able to derive entertainment from American stations which are operating entirely: without cost to the listener, The report is an interesting testimony to the importance of radio as a social service. It illustrates, too, the need for each country adapting the conditions of service to its own requirements. The-fate of the present report at the hands of the Canadian Govern, ment will be. awaited with interest. A