BROADCASTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 207, 1 September 1932, Page 3

BROADCASTING.

B STATIONS' SERVICE.

FUTURE MAINTENANCE.

QUESTION OF WAYS AND MEANS

(By PHONOS.)

Numerous perplexing conditions have arisen in local broadcasting affairs during the past few weeks. Supplying Auckland city and urban areas are no lees than seven stations, the main one, IYA, providing the "national" service under the control of the Broadcasting Board, and the remaining six, of smaller power, being private venture? licensed by the Post and Telegraph Department, under whose regulations they operate. At least some of these smaller, or B, stations hoped for a share in the licensing revenue in return for running a service supplementary to that of thss main station. The Broadcasting Boat'ii announced a policy which refrained fvoiu giving any financial support to city K stations. Then followed indications over tha air from some of the latter that unless public financial support were accorded, they would be forced to cither a serious curtailment of service hour-*, or a complete closing down. Appeals for Subscriptions. During laet year one of the city small stations, , in order to secure revenue for running expenses, "formed a "club," the main object of which was to provide finance per medium of half-crown subscriptions. Officers of the "club" were elected, and the body itself is etill in existence, though the station it supports is temporarily off the air. Within the past three weeks another B station has developed the "club" idea, and by appeals over the air for membership has secured over 2500 subscribers. A suburban station also receives assistance from a contributory association of listeners. The station, which has secured in three weeks abojt £300 towards its operating costs, has indicated that if more than is necessary for such costs is subscribed, the balance will be allocated to the other B stations. The remainder do not appear to view this scheme in too favourable a light, and a counter-pro-posal that contributions be solicited for the support of all the B stations has been heard on the air, with the idea behind it that allocations should be made to each station in proportion to hours of service. These aerial solicitations for funds have led almost to recriminations in the B hive, with the result that the radio inspection department hae stepped in and prohibited ai.y reference from one B station concerning another that might produce unseemly wrangling on the air. Further appeals for funds, however, have not been banned, and requests for assistance will continue, but whether this assistance will be pooled depends upon whether the station which has already got in early with its appeal, and the others who now contemplate following suit, come to some agreement. The viewpoint of listeners is that the pooling system will be preferable if it is necessary to support the B stations by private contribution. Prohibition of Advertising. In the city the five B stations licensed are all associated with , firms whose business deals with the sale of radio sets, or gramophones and records. In the past the operation of these B stations has been an adjunct which brought the businesses regularly under public notice, serving as a useful advertising medium. Last year the Postmaeter-General gave permission for B stations to broadcast "sponsored" programmes—that is, programmes provided by private concerns, whose namee as suppliers of the entertainment, could be mentioned at the beginning and end of each programme only. The permission allowed for a maximum of three sponsored programmes daily, one each in the morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Other than this concession, all advertising over the air is prohibited, but the permission still allows a B station to be used as an advertising means for others than its owner. The declared aim of New Zealand broadcasting has been to keep the air free from advertising matter that has become so irritating in America and from B stations in Australia. New Zealand has definitely set itself to follow the pattern of British broadcasting, where no advertising matter is permitted on the air. Unfortunately there has not been a strict adherence to the restrictions governing sponsored programmes on the part of some B stations in New Zealand, and their transgressions have irritated others who have kept to the strict letter of the law. It ie obvioue that a station which can provide direct advertisement for its owner, can be used for revenue purposes in conducting further advertising, and can also secure substantial support from listeners, may jecome a serious rival to the national service, as well as a profitable concern r or the holder of its license. The 'spirit of support from listeners ie in itself excellent, so long as that spirit is not exploited for private purposes. Herein lies a possible danger. Advantages of B Stations. It ie not difficult to see the reason for the popularity of these Auckland B stations. In the first place they have sensed better than has IYA, what the public want in the way of radio entertainment. They have given the listeners what they desired, not what the station considered they should have, and have won such favour that they secure willingly-given assistance from thousands who would be loud in protest were they asked to pay an increased license fee. Furthermore, the B class provides an alternative programme when the YA plant is operating, and a service at . times when the air is otherwise silent. , One station that is particularly popular '. in many homes comes on the air from . 7.30 to 9 a.m., and another conducts a ( regular morning session—a feature that will also be undertaken by IYA from September 5. This may lessen the service value of some of the B class, but it will not do away with the general desire for an alternative programme. Such is available to British listeners, and to the public served by the Sydney and Melboure Government stations. The feeling in Auckland and Wellington is that similar facilities should be given to the two most important listening areas of New Zealand. Some Assistance Essential. The B station problem so far as Auckland is concerned is one in which a large section of the public is interested. They are prepared to pay in individual contributions rather than see it eliminated. Without some financial assistance elimination is at least possible. Advertising is prohibited, and more than fhat, it is° objectionable, as only those who have experienced a broadcast deluge of it know. It is tolerated for a time, but eventually becomes so irritating that people become disgusted with broadcasting and this reflects not only on the

stations advertising, but upon the whole publicly-supported system. The greatest benefit which legislation can achieve for broadcasting is to keep the advertisement off the air. The sponsored programme, unabused, will not support the B claes. Private contributions are fickle. The listening public is prone to suffer from spasmodic waves of enthusiasm. In a year's time, may be, that enthusiasm will have waned. It would appear that a straight-out contribution to B, stations from broadcasting funds is the best temporary solution of the problem until such time as the Broadcasting Board develops its service in both quality and efficiency. There are 20,000 listeners in the Auckland province. An allotment of J/ from each license fee towarde the support of an auxiliary service by the B stations should be quite sufficient.