POPULARITY OF RADIO.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20037, 19 September 1930, Page 11

POPULARITY OF RADIO.

SOME BRITISH STATISTICS. [TS PART IN international AFFAIRS. (bbitish omniju. wieeijsss.) (Eeccived September 18th, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, September 17. The British Broadcasting Corporation announces that wireless license-holders now number 3,363,000, exclusive of 17,000 licenses issued free to blind people. This is estimated to represent a potential audience of 15,000,000 listeners. There is a wireless set in two out of every three houses in the country. In a message to the organisers of the National Eadio Exhibition, which opens to-morrow, the Prime Minister (Mr Ramsay Mac Donald) prophesies: "In* the future broadcasting is destined to play a most important part in the cultivation of a friendly understanding between the nations. The rapid development of this now power over Nature gives us great opportunities, both cultural and industrial, and it is all important that we should make the best use of them." There will be nearly 400 stands at the exhibition, displaying sets and apparatus valued at more than £3,000,000. RADIO TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS. POSSIBILITY OF LISTENING-IN. (Received September 18th, 9.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 18. The Comonwealth Director of Postal Services, Mr Brown, admits the truth of the London cabled statement that it is possible for radio telephone conversations to be overheard by any one using a short-wave set. He adds: As only one side of the conversation can be heard without knowing who is speaking, it is hardly likely that the person listening-in- can derive any advantage from either the social or business standpoint.