Restricted Hours ‘Mean Better TV’

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30480, 30 June 1964, Page 1

Restricted Hours ‘Mean Better TV’

Restricted television hours in Christ- < church meant that the viewing public did not have to have “watered down” programmes, i said the district manager of the N.Z.B.C. (Mr K. Hay) yesterday.

“People criticise what we show,’ he said. “You should see what we don’t show—you should be thankful.” Mr Hay was speaking to the Canterbury branch of the English Speaking Union. “We have only four westerns a week on Christchurch TV,” he said. “I think that is fairly good. It is because we don’t have extended hours.” Mr Hay said that he could remember switching around seven channels in New York Each channel had a western on. “1 think I knew every gunshot and could recognise each street scene,” he said. In the United States, be said, television started at 5 a.m. and went till 3 a.m. the next morning. The stations had to fill the air with something and used “old films and second-rate westerns.” The corporation, he said, had received letters from schoolgirls complaining that the “Dr. Kildare” series had been shifted from 8.30 p.m to later in the evening. The reason for the change to after 9.30 p.m., he said, was that the censor had

recommended showing later in the evening than 8.30 p.m. , “One Dr. Kildare programme dealt with drugs.” said Mr Hay. “And another with the pains of having a baby.” The corporation, he said, did not show films with “R" certificates. Most of these films were contentious or controversial. “Censors recommendations are only recommendations, but we follow them fairly closely,” said Mr Hay. “Otherwise, what is the point in having a censor?” Production, said Mr Hay, could not keep up with the insatiable demands of TV. The great strength of TV was that it could contribute to and enrich “our lives as citizens.” “It will make its greatest contribution when it reflects what is happening in Christchurch and Canterbury,’ be said. “TV stations should have their local and distinctive flavour.” When New Zealand TV had more resources, said Mr Hay, it would “spread its wings.”