LISTENERS’ TASTES

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 294, 7 September 1932, Page 8

LISTENERS’ TASTES

Questionnaire Results BAND MUSIC FIRST Some Surprise Preferences POPULARITY OF 2YA Results of the questionnaire recently ®ent to listeners by the Radio Broadcasting Board to ascertain, if possible, likes and dislikes of the wireless public, were announced yesterday by the general manager, Mr. E. C. Hands. Band music proved 'the most popular form of entertainment, and whole evening plays the least popular, while preference was expressed for the evening concert sessions, tts against any other, with the last choice falling to religious services.

Sir. Hands stated that 24,000 forms approximately were returned by licensees, which meant that 40 per cent, of listeners who renewed their licenses had voted. The information gleaned, therefore, represented a substantial crosssection of the desires of licensees. Some voters nglected to answer all the questions, apparently devoting their attention to the items in which they were particularly interested. How Listeners Answered,

Only a small percentage of listeners answered in full the question relating to preference for different sessions. The majority were satisfied to place the sessions in order of preference, and gave no indication whether they desired "more" or "less,” or whether they were “satisfied.” So few dealt with this part of the question that the result ■ was considered to be of little worth, and the vote was analysed simply from the point of view of order of preference. When analysing answers to the question —“To which New Zealand station do you listen most frequently”—no attempt was made to deal separately with the thirty odd private broadcasting stations. All such stations were grouped under the heading “others." In answering the question whether they used crystal or valves for reception, 6.42 per cent, of the voters indicated that they used crystals. It could he taken, however, that the majority of those using one or two valve sets were really using crystals for reception. The answers indicated a marked predominance of sets employing five to nine valves, the most common being six-valve sets. The general manager expressed the view that the information obtained will be of material assistance in the work of programme building. Recordings Preferred. Question I.—“Do you prefer entertainment provided by—local artists or recordings ?” Result.—Local artists, 25.89 per cent, of votes; recordings, 74.11 per cent, of votes. Question 2.—“ For reception, do you use —Crystal or valves?” Result.—Crystal, 6.42 per cent.; valves, 93.58 per cent. Question 3.—“ To which New Zealand station jjo you listen most frequently?" Result.— IYA 16.06 per cent. 2YA 57.96 per cent. 3YA 9.92 per cent. 4YA 5.35 per cent. Others 10.71 per cent.

Question 4.—“lf the general broadcasting hours were 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., at what times would your set normally be in use?” Result (in order of preference).—First, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.; second, 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.; third, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; fourth, 7 p.m. to S p.m.; fifth, noon to 1 p.m.: sixth, 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.; -seventh, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.; eighth, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; ninth, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.; tenth, 1 -p.m. to 2 p.m.; eleventh, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.; twelfth. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.: thirteenth, 11 a.m. to noon.

listeners’ Preferences. Question s.—“lndicate the order ot preference for the following sessions.” Result.—First, evening concert session; second, dinner session; third, description of sporting events; fourth, dance session; fifth, news and market reports; sixth, children’s session; seventh, religious services. Question 6.—"lndicate the order of your preference for the following classes of entertainment during the evening.” Result. —First, band music; second, light orchestral items; third, humorous songs and monologues: fourth, comic opera and musical comedy items (vocal); fifth, instrumental solos, duets, trios aud quartettes; sixth, Hawaiian music; seventh, community singing; eighth, vocal solos, duets, trios and quartettes; ninth, talks (educative and informative); tenth, elocutionary items (light and humorous); eleventh, short plays and sketches; twelfth, concerts by musical societies and choirs; thirteenth, .talks (sporting and topical); fourteenth, opera and oratorio: fifteenth, classical and chamber music; sixteenth, elocutionary items (serious and dramatic); seventeenth, whole evening plays.