N.Z.B.C. Attitude To Second Channel

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32384, 25 August 1970, Page 28

N.Z.B.C. Attitude To Second Channel

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 24. The Director-General of the N.Z.B.C. (Mr L. R. Sceats) said today that if private enterprise won the battle to run New Zealand’s second television channel, viewers were unlikely to be given a genuinely alternative programme.

In an address to the Auckland Rotary Club, Mr Sceats, described the challenge of private enterprise in television as “a clear, simple, but major issue, the profit motive versus community service.” He understood his theme by asking rhetorically if the most desirable end use of television in New Zealand was “a social purpose—or, in the words of Lord Thomson, a licence to print money?” He said that the N.Z.B.C. cultural activities could become the casualty of competition between systems measured by the dollar yardstick and community interest and the public good. Mr Sceats gave the primary goal of the N.Z.B.C. as: “To operate a second complementtary channel in colour to en-

able the N.Z.B.C. to present two truly alternative and complementary programmes to the whole country when the existing single-channel coverage is complete.” Secondary and tertiary aims were to convert the existing channel to colour and to have one channel noncommercial.

On the available evidence, he said, competition between different networks or broadcasting systems did not provide a better choice of programmes.

“Switching channels does not mean you get a truly alternative programme or a genuine choice.

“The N.Z.B.C. believes that in pressing its claim for a second television channel genuinely alternative to its first, it is acting in the best interests of the New Zealand public.” At present, with only one channel, the N.Z.B.C. had no possible chance of pleasing everyone.

He described the present policy of attempting to please majority interests without neglecting minorities as:—“Like Peyton Place—a continuing story of difficulty.”

Mr Sceats made no forecast of when colour television would be introduced in New Zealand, but said the country would be unable to isolate itself in black and white. “New Zealand cannot afford the expense of obsolescence. Colour will be forced on us by world trends.” Already, Mr Sceats said, production of black and white transmitting equipment was being phased out, and more than 60 per cent of overseas programmes received by the N.Z.B.C. were now made in colour.