28 Hours’ Television From October 1

Press, Volume C, Issue 29520, 23 May 1961, Page 14

28 Hours’ Television From October 1

(from Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, May 22.

Sunday, October 1, would be the starting date for weekly telecasts of 28 hours from Channel 3, Christchurch, said the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Kinsella) today. Similar arrangements will apply for Channel 1, Wellington, from Wednesday, November 1.

This expansion will coincide with the introduction of commercial services, which will begin in Christchurch on Tuesday, October 3, and in Wellington on Wednesday, November 1.

There will be four hours of transmission on each night of the week. Advertising material will be included in Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and two hours of Wednesday programmes. Monday. Friday, Sunday, and the balance of Wednesday transmissions will be free of commercial content.

‘‘At this stage of development,” said Mr Kinsella, “the type of service offered Christchurch and Wellington viewers will be basically the same as that operating at present in Auckland.

“There will, of course, be some minor changes in the light of the service’s valuable practical experience in Auckland. Any such modifications will have the purpose of improving presentation and so making our programmes more attractive to viewers.”

As previously announced, regular transmissions of up to eight hours a week will begin in Christchurch on June 1 and in Wellington on July 1. Within a month or so of these dates there is expected to be, in each centre, an initial extension of telecasting time to 18 hours a week.