TV PLANS IN S.I.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29735, 31 January 1962, Page 12

TV PLANS IN S.I.

Outside Van For City

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, January 30. The telecasting of outdoor events was planned as part of this year’s expansion of television services in the South Island, said the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Kinsella) tonight.

A specially equipped outside broadcast van with studio link and ancillary equipment like that to arrive in Auckland soon will be ordered and based in Christchurch Other major equipment to be bought for the Christchurch station includes an extra telecine -hain, with projectors, for use in the event of machine failure “Such an addition is essential.” said Mr Kinsella, “in view of the long operating hours of these units. We cannot afford to risk the disruption of programmes because of a breakdown.” He added that expenditure planned for Christchurch would also cover switching facilities, a lighting control unit, an additional camera pedestal, a microphone boom, and test equipment Additional equipment would be provided in the other centres to improve the service. Dunedin’s new station would also begin transmissions later this year with technical facilities of a high standard. One interesting development would be the extensive modification of the Auckland studios to permit the eventual production of major programmes with “a New Zealand flavour” when the necessary equipment became available. "Viewers will notice marked over-all improvements in service once our plans for this year take effect,” said Mr Kinsella.