N.Z.B.C. replies to critic

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32720, 24 September 1971, Page 16

N.Z.B.C. replies to critic

Advertising content on New Zealand television is limited to six minutes in the hour, whereas advertising in the United States takes up as much as 13 minutes ih the hour, says the public relations manager for the N.Z.B.C. (Mr P. Fabian). • ■■ :• r He was replying to a letter written to 'The Press,” by “Jim Abelson,” who critic? ised television advertising in New Zealand, saying that it was the more offensive because New Zealanders, unlike - Americans, could not switch to another channel. “Your correspondent implies that television advertising in New Zealand suffers in comparison with that on American networks,” Mr Fabian says.

"If anything, the presentation of advertising on New Zealand television is superior, because the NXB.C.’s standards are, on the whole, higher. It is difficult to understand ‘Jim Abelson’s’ expression that the New Zealand variety is ’more expensive.’ Advertising breaks on New Zealand television are quite clear, and do not deceive any one. . “His reference to a large licence fee is also bewildering, because it is among the lowest charged anywhere in the world, and works out at one-sixth of a cent an hour of viewing. If it were not for the advertising content cn television, the licence fee would need to be more than doubled,” Mr Fabian says. “When ‘Jim Abelson’ refers to 'lush concerts for a snob minority’ he is clearly referring to concerts by the

N.Z.B.C. Symphony Orchestra, which are regarded as high in quality by world standards, and are heard not only by concert-goers but by thousands of school children and others who have an interest in the performing arts in New Zealand. “In fact, the N.Z.B.C. is the biggest single patron of the arts in New Zealand, which is achieved without recourse to a single cent from the taxpayer,"Mr Fabian says.