Philips buys prime time for a song

Press, 8 November 1984, Page 19

Philips buys prime time for a song

The television manufacturer, Philips Electrical Industries, has bought 3¥z minutes of prime television tjme on Wednesday, November 21, quite literally for a song. In what is believed to be one of the most unusual uses for broadcast television, Philips will screen a special music and dance video at 10 p.m. on that night on One between “Eye Witness News” and “Lady Killers” to celebrate the production of the 100 millionth Philips television set world-wide since production began in 1950. “This is the first time that any manufacturer in the world has reached this milestone,” said Mr David Forsythe, communications manager for the, company. “A great many people have helped us achieve this record figure and we are taking this rather unusual step to thank them. We elected to use television to express our thanks since it is the most fitting medium and one in which •we are totally involved ... from Erofessional cameras and roadcast ■ equipment to domestic television receivers.”

The song, especially composed and arranged for the occasion by Dick Bakker and Jonathan Ellis, is sung by international singing stars, Labi Siffre and Vicky Brown, and accompanied by dancers. The colourful video was recorded on location at the Philips television factory in Eindhoven in the Netherlands, where much of the pioneering work on the development of television took place before World War 11.

It was first seen recently in Europe at a ceremony in Eindhoven where the 100 millionth TV set rolled off the production line. It and 100 more sets were presented to the Dutch Red Cross by Philips. The ceremony was carried live via

satellite to Philips showrooms and exhibition stands throughout Europe.