THE ROYAL WEDDING

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 28, 18 January 1935, Page 10

THE ROYAL WEDDING

Perfect Reception of B.B.C, Broadcast "NEVER in history, we may dare to say, has a marriage been attended by so vast a company of witnesses. For by a new and marvellous invention .of science, countless multitudes in every variety of place and home are joining in this service. The whole nation-nay, the whole Empire-are the wedding guests; and more than guests, members of the family." These were the words with which the _Arehbishop of Canterbury began his address to the Royal Bride and Bridegroom on November 29, 1934. The suc- ° cess Which attended the broadcast in almost every part of the world is manifest from the almost ‘universal. expressions of approval which have been heard on every side. ‘he broadcast-was distributed to the ‘Empire by the’ [Empire Broadcasting Station at Daventry on GSH, 25.3 metres, and GSF, 19.8 metres. In addition to direct listening to the Empire station in Africa, the African Broadcasting Company took the programme over the Post Office Anglo-South African radio telephone service, and re. broadcast it over its stations. It is too early yet to have full reports from the many listeners who heard the broadcast direct from the Empire station, but a number of Dominion. colonial and foreign broadcasters relayed the programme from the Empire station, and reports have been received from Australia, Canada, and Ceylon. as well-as from the two American chains, the National Broadeasting Gompany and the Columbia Broadcasting System. Short-wave propagation conditions were obviously good, and excellent reception was reported from most areas. The results reported to the B.B.C. up to the time of going to press are given below. Argentina.-‘The Times" correspondent in Buenos Aires reported that "Byvery detail of the service was ‘heard with the utmost clarity." Australia received the bruadcast via the Empire station. "Reception excellent and successfully | rebroadcast throughout Australia," and "Gutstanding broadcast" are two reports from broadcasters. ‘The Times" ccrrespondent reported that "listeners in Melbourne were entranced by the broadcast, which enabled them ‘to follow all stages of the proceedings." "Officials describe it as the best rebroadcast ever made in Australia." "The Roya! couple’s responses in the Abbey service were clearly heard." ‘ Bermuda reported excellent reception from the Empire station. Canada reported that the rebroadcast of the Royal Wedding was a great success . The original transmission from the Empire station was recorded in Ottawa and rebroadcast at 3.0 p.m. local time. -It will be seen that the time at which the ceremony took place in London was 5.45 to 7 a.m. in Ottawa, but as early as 2.45 to 4 a.m. in Western Canada. Geylon.-The Colombo station relayed via the Empire station both the original broadcast and the recorded version, which was sent out to Empire

! listeners in transmission 8. Both were reported as perfectly received throughout. Egypt.-The Egyptian State Broadcasting Service relayed via the EmPire station, and reported it a "wonderful success." India.-‘The Times" correspondents in Delhi and Calcutta report that reception was, good in the former city

and less good in the latter. Nevertheless, in Calcutta the service in the Abbey came through admirably, except for occasional fading. Perfect reception is reported of the recorded version Sent out from the Empire station in ‘Transmission 3, Iraq.-A private listener in Baghdad reported that the reception of a "maguificent transmission" was excellent via the Empire station. New Zealand reports a successful rebroadcast via the Empire Station, reiayed by local transmitters, ’ South Africa.-Reports from Capetown and Johannesburg indicate that, while reception of the Abbey service was fairly good, they had poor intelligibility during the commentaries by Howard’ Marshall, . , U.S.A:-In spite of the early hour (5.45 a.m.) both the National Broadcasting Company .and the Columbia Broadcasting system relayed. the broadcast over their Atlantic Coast networks via the Empire station. Reception was reported as excellent in one instance and perfect in the other.