New equipment for new style radio news

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33814, 10 April 1975, Page 4

New equipment for new style radio news

Technicians had moved heaven and earth to install the necessary equipment for I Radio New Zealand’s new “Morning Report" programme. said the editor of news and current affairs (.Mr I “Buzz” Harte). At first there had been 'Some “teething troubles” with awkward silences as technicians got used to the equipment, but this was; bound to happen with this Type of programme which switched quickly from someone in say Kaitaia. to perhaps Australia or Los Angeles. “The programme has I quickly settled down, how-, ’ever, and has been very, smooth over the last couple of davs.” Mr Harte added. The 8.8. C. had expressed: :i surprise at the short time (taken to get the programme ion air. He said it was planned in 'quarter-hour segments on the i assumption that people tuned ■in every 15 minutes or so. “The headline news was re- ' peated every quarter-hour. i Radio New Zealand would 'be making a survey of f listeners’ reactions to the jihour-long news programme ‘ in the next two months. Mr ■’Harte added. >1 “We have had at least one ■fascinated reaction—a man used to listening to short news bulletins iust carried ■on listening to ‘Morning' Report’ and was late for; work.” Some people had com- 1 : plained about a lack of; 'music, but the YC stations were the music stations for that time in the morning now.] “It will take time for us I to get. things working com-1 ipletely smoothly—we don’t’ : expect instant admiration,”’ ;Mr Harte added.