Plans To Develop TV In South Island

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29897, 10 August 1962, Page 10

Plans To Develop TV In South Island

Repeater stations near Geraldine or Waimate and in Southland to extend television transmissions over much of the South Island; a direct television link between Christchurch and Dunedin for simultaneous programme exchanges; a full television coverage of the Royal tour in February by “outside broadcasting” vans; and early action on the new Christchurch television transmitter on Sugarloaf hill, Cashmere; and the new television and broadcasting studios at Halswell are now the main concern of the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation.

“Each of these proposals involves exceedingly complex technical problems, but we are active on every one of them.” said the chairman of the corporation (Dr F 3 Llewellyn) “A key to much of the plan for greater South Island television coverage is our scheme for Sugarloaf hill The extent of the extra range obtained there will govern our choice of a repeater site in South Canterbury Together. these two developments will make television reception available to thousands ”

Dr Llewellyn said the first development would bring television to the Waikato, probably by repeater; the first South Island repeater woulo be in Southland (possibly at the same time as the Christchurch-Dunedin link); and the Canterbury extensions would follow The South Canterbury repeater would take programmes from Christchurch or Dunedin The Director-General of the Broadcasting Corporation (Mr G H Stringer) said that early approval in Christchurch of the Sugarloaf hill television station scheme would be of enormous assistance in all this planning There had been fears about despoiling the hills. "We don’t do that sort of thing,” he said. “The building will be low and de-

signed to merge into the site, and the transmitting mast will be the only major change in the landscape ” With this site, it was hoped to improve and extend greatly the range of television transmissions from Christchurch—perhaps to much more than 50 miles because of the flat land, and then fill much of the gap between Christchurch and Dunedin from a repeater in South Canterbury set well up against the amphitheatre of the hills for increased range The Halswell broadcasting and television studio scheme was much bigger than most Christchurch persons realised said Mr Stringer The site was 50 acres, and it was planned to move all production facilities there, leaving only a small talks studio and accounts office in the city. He hoped this project could be complete in six to seven years

Although the transfer might seem expensive, it would, in fact, allow great savings. Mr Stringer said. A site free from traffic, industrial, and electrical noise allowed great economies on acoustics, and an extensive site, allowing lateral rather than vertical development, permitted construction in separate units which saved heating and ventilating.

“It is surprising just how much and how far noise can be carried to studios through piping ” said Mr Stringer Storage was very necessary and very costly. The growing stock of “props” and costumes for television would need extra provision Special precautions against dampness and moths would prevent the terrific losses known to all theatrical undertakings. Every television studio production involved four stages —first rehearsal, rehearsal in costume or clothes to be worn rehearsal before the camera for angles, and final shooting. As these productions increased, the corporation could not afford to have persons waiting for studios, and many rehearsals would be going on at the same time in different studios, said Mr Stringer.

Three outside vans would be operating by the time of the Royal tour Each would ultimately take four cameras Three each were being bought to equip Auckland. Wellington, and Christchurch

By next winter. Mr Stringer said, he hoped simultaneous telecasts of important sporting events would be common in all three centres. Video tape stocks would also be built up for a major expansion of television news services in magazine form. Mr Stringer said. It was intended so to co-ordinate national coverage that events and shots over the whole country could be exchanged by all four stations without delay “You can see we are busy,” said Mr Stringer.