Avalon not ready to use

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33815, 11 April 1975, Page 2

Avalon not ready to use

(New Zealoiid Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 10. The Avalon television complex was not ready for use at the time of the change to the new broadcasting structure. and the then board of the X.Z.B.C. was unaware of this.

Mr R. G. Collins, (chairman of TVI, said today that Avalon was still transmitting from a broadcasting van parked outside the western buildings.

Only one studio could be used at the moment, he said. It is believed that Avalon will not be in full use until ‘he end of next month. Mr Collins said this was responsible for the many technical defects in programmes so far. These had provoked a great many of the criticisms of the presentation of the "new-look” TVI from Avalon. If his board had been aware of the unreadiness of Avalon on March 31, it might have thought very carefully about allowing the change. EFFORTS PRAISED Mr Collins praised the people working at Avalon for their dedication and loyalty in a most difficult situation. The old N.Z.B.C. television staff had been most anxious to get out to Avalon and away from the terrible working conditions in Waring Tavlor Street.

No substantial additional costs had been involved in the running of TVI, said Mr Collins. AU extra finance had been deployed to getting TV2 under way—and the establishment of a new channel was really responsible for all the additional finance. No extra employment had arisen from the change; the 3300 members of the N.Z.B.C. staff had been deployed four ways—to the Broadcasting Council, TVI. TV2 and Radio New Zealand. CHANGE DEFENDED

Referring to the "clobbering” received by TVI since

its opening telecast, Mr Collins said people had to expect some change and it was inevitable that criticism would accompany such change. Of the critical calls received during the opening programme, 3377 were from lovers of “Coronation Street” who wanted to know what had happened to their programme.

Mr Collins said that the new style of presentation was now being appreciated by those viewers who were condemnatory for a start. Defending the 6.30 p.m. starting time for the news, Mr Collins said the earlier time had been chosen to allow TV2 to put its news on at 7 p.m. and also because a statistical survey showed that most families had finished their evening meal by 6.15 p.m.