THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 23, 20 December 1929, Page 6

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

‘AS this is the last issue which will reach readers before the festive season we desire to take the opportunity of ' extending the compliments of the season. Radio has a definite part to play in Christmastide festivities. In preparation for the holiday spirit and to assist trade friends in facilitating sales, all YA stations will begin special extended sessions as from: December 16 and 17. Starting them at noon, in lieu of 3 p.m., opportunities for demonstration will be amply afforded. All special services and sporting activities offering, will, of course, be broadcast, and listeners scattered far and wide enabled to enjoy through their radio sets close contact with the spirit of the season. [T is interesting to note that the goal of 50,000 listeners set for attainment by the end of the year has been gained. It is also, we think, striking in this connection, that this gain has been secured not by any outstanding "stunt" or event of popular interest, but simply by a high standard of good service. Profiting by experience and close study of the popular taste as evidenced by correspondence, contact with the various committees of public relations, and both anticipation and interpretation of the public’s wishes, the Radio Broadcasting Company has steadily built up a schedule of service which is successfully attracting new adherents. That, after all, is the final measure of success. Those who are prepared to pay for the service are steadily growing. By reason of this success and the financial return’ which it brings, the Company has been able to progressively expand its programmes until now it is interesting to note it is giving practically four times the hours of service it contracted to give. Even yet, the service -is- not perfect-nor, we imagine, will it ever be! There is still the silent night. There are still some hours not filled by broadcasting! So some demand extensions and more extensions. We join with them in so far as the silent night is concerned. Listeners, now substantially won to the policy of "sticking to the local station" and not ranging far afield with its risk of static and distortion, would like that abandoned. This is a matter of economics, and we imagine that it will be the next major concession to be granted listeners. It will, of course, represent a definite extra cost in the items of operating and programme provision, but looking back on the advances made over the last

— } ‘twelve months, we strongly hope that the incoming twelve months a will see the abandonment of the silent night. , A FEATURE of the past year has been the attention devoted to relays from provincial centres. . Taranaki has secured her relay station, and more might have been done in other: fields had-conditions permitted. Unfortunately that was not the case, but.as an alternative attention was devoted to organising relays from important provincial centres. This has been successful in broadening and stimulating interest in radio on the part of those communities, and has so contributed to the growth of mentbership in the listeners’ circle. We look forward to further development of this field in the future.