The Return of Friendliness: "Everybody" Reappears

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 34, 4 March 1932, Page 15

The Return of Friendliness: "Everybody" Reappears

Closing Down Melodies for all Stations A FRUITFUL source of comment since early January has been the allegedly stereotyped form of announcement adopted from YA stations. Complaint has been made that the abandonment of the old forms and the adoption of a brisker style of announcement, together with the'more formal statement of the station operating, have disturbed that atmosphere of friendliness. which formerly characterised the service. Listener after listener has forwarded a letter of protest to urge the restoration of the old friendly atmosphere. Another cause of complaint was the disappearance of the famous prolonged "Goodnight" from 2YA. Those who were listening to 2YA closing down early last week suddenly noticed something different. Mr. Drummond had said "Goodnight, everybody." Thinking that it might be a slip, many interested waited for the next day’s announcement; but, to .their surprise and pleasure, they found that again the all-embracing . "everybody" ‘was used. Checking up on other stations, again, it was found that the restoration was apparently general. so. a . NQUIRY shows that the ban-if ban it can be called, since it was never intended as such-has been lifted, and that alternative and More than that, a distinct innovation, which will, we predict, be a very pleasurable one, has been decided upon in the adoption of closing down melodies from all stations. The selection.of these melodies has been a difficult and prolonged one, as over 700 were available for selection and were carefully checked and considered for their suitability. In the upshot four have been chosen, one for each station. In the case of Wellington, a particularly exclusive tuneful number has been chosen. It is the intention to give each station, as from March 1, a separate and distinct closing down tune, but for the sake of variety they may be changed at intervals of a few months. It is the desire of the management not to weary listeners by any undue prolongation of any one practice or habit. . : friendly forms of address are now to be permitted to the announcers. . [}