THE WINTER SEASON.

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 39, 10 April 1931, Page 4

THE WINTER SEASON.

‘WITH the passage of Easter and its indication of the fast approach ">" Of winter, entry may be said to be fairly made upon the winter ‘season, Although much has been done of late years by the improvement in radio apparatus to minimise the differences between the summer and winter seasons as they affect radio, it is yet true that the longer hours of winter induce a greater degree of concentration upon the radio set than the daylight hours of summer. ‘Emphasis is lent to this point by the announcement that radio exhibitions have been arranged already for Dunedin, Auckland and Wellington. The Dunedin fixture will be held this month-on April 22 to’ 24 inclusive, the Auckland venture will take place on May 13 to 16 inclusive, while Wellington has the dates of June 10 to 13 reserved, These exhibitions have come to play an important part in radio, Dealers find them an advantage for the display of their latest, equipment, with all the subtleties and improvements effected by manufacturers in the preceding twelve months. Listeners. welcome them because they are enabled to inform themselves readily of the improvements made, and would-be listeners are given a golden opportunity of inspecting the wares available for their delectation in the prices to which their pockets run. With the experience of the past to guide them, it may. be assumed that the same standard of success will be attained at each of the exhibitions so far scheduled. No report is yet available concerning plans in Christchurch, but it may be fairly assumed that the City of the Plains will not lag behind the others in. this field. ON the programme side radio has a steadily improving standard’ to offer listeners. The International Night, which ‘has replaced the Silent Night at 2YA for some months _past, is now scheduled to make its appearance at other YA stations, and will, needless to say, ‘be as popular in the home circles of those towns as it has proved to be in Wellington. With the attainment of the 60,000 mark, the revenue provided by listeners has enabled the standard to be steadily raised and maintained. Fears are entertained in some quarters that the .current depression may lead to something in the nature of a

slump in the renewal figures of listeners, but we are inclined to think that these fears will prove unfounded. Experience both in England and America shows that radio flourishes in times of depression. The public must have entertainment, and if, at the dictates of economy, they stay home from outside amusements, they are the more impelled to concentrate upon radio. For that reason we do riot anticipate that the expectations of substantial decline in listeners’ figures will be realised. Because of human dilatoriness there will probably be a decline for'a month or two, but recovery to the former level may be regarded as certain, thus ensuring a bright outlook for radio interests in general.