SLUMP IN RADIO.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18670, 20 April 1926, Page 7

SLUMP IN RADIO.

BDOADCASTING PRO-

GRAMMES.

POPULARITY ON THE WANE.

(raoii oub own oobbispotoest.)

SYDNEY, March 25.

Two things point clearly to a marked decline in the popularity of broacast receiving in New South Wales. One is the leduction in the number of licenses for sets, compared with an increase in Victoria; another and even stronger manifestation is the cancellation of no fewer than 3352 licenses for February, compared with only 599 in Victoria. Even allowing *or the fact that the Victorians, as a people, are more home-lov-ing than the people of New* South Wales, the decline in the popularity of wireless in the latter State is yiewed with disquiet by those interested in broadcasting. The position has been reflected also in a slump in the sale of 'wireless receiving apparatus during the recent months in Sydney and throughout the State generally. It is contended by some listeners-in that only trained experimenters can, under existing conditions, and with the average sets, remain "constant" on any one station outside 2 FO, one of the leading stations within the metropolitan area for a whole evening without experiencing annoying interference. What the average person wants is a simple set that is moderately easy to tune, and that when tuned will "stay fixed." The belief is expressed that there. will be no big rush for the renewal of licenses as long as local programmes, about which there is not a great deal of complaint, cannot be enjoyed throughout an evening except by owners of "selective" sots, costing anything from £lO to £IOO. The owners of the humble crystal receiver and the one-valve set feel that as they pay their license-fee's they are entitled to some consideration. Following the example of Victoria and South Australia, a movement is now on foot to form an organisation among listeners-in, f r the protection of their interests. While there are growls at the programmes put on'the air, the bulk of enthusiasts appear to be* satisfied with them, if only they are permitted to receive the programmes without continual interference.