RADIO LISTENERS

Evening Star, Issue 19272, 10 June 1926, Page 3

RADIO LISTENERS

LOCAL PROGRAMMES CRITICISED EXPLANATIONS FROM tVA Making it clear that liis explanations were not intended to be vindictive to the listeners-in, Mr J. W. Webb (manager of station 4YA) replied to-day to the complaints, addressed to the, 1 Star,’ on the programmes transmitted from the station. . , “Now that the mechanical part oi the station is in working order and the testing has been finished, full consideration is given to the programmes which are designed to suit everybody,” stated Mr Webb. “And from the reports received from all over New Zealand it seems ns if 4YA is succeeding in that direction. Of course, every broadcasting station in the world must ill wavs expect criticism from the dissatisfied, who complain_ about the class of programme transmitted from this station. But the majority are satisfied.” Speaking of the complaint of gramophone selections being broadcasted, Mr Webb said that it might bo news to some listeners that a great many people appreciate and prefer gramophone selections; and they had very good reasons. When placed on the market by the manufacturers, the record could be regarded as a. finished product. Following the trials and tests to obtain the best possible reproduction of the artists, the record was generally of a high quality. The gramophone items heard last month were during testing at the station, and the listeners would have noticed that very few records had been transmitted this month. Records are used on the programme by 4YA only when necessary, the items broadcasted from tho studio being mostly performances by actual artists. The complaint bad been made that several items were given on each programme by tho same performers. There is no ground for complnint ovov tho diversity of the programmes. The inquirer was shown a copy of ‘ Radio Times,’ the official organ of the British Broadcasting Company, in, which concert programmes were published. One list contained two artists, who gave four selections in succession, followed bv four numbers by an orchestra. The duo followed again with another budget of songs. Mr Webb pointed out. that it was customary in any studio programme for each artist to perform several times in succession. The reason was that it minimised the silence in between the items, thus helping to include ns many rumbers as possible in a programme. Also, many artists were nervous when they first faced the microphono, but they regained their confidence after the first visit, and were able to render the subsequent contributions to the entertainment with tho best of their ability. It was pointed out, further, that a duplicated programme given by a few performers had more tone than the programme given by many vocalists and entertainers.

There was not an abundance of artists offering for broadcasting, stated Mr Webb. The lists of entertainers varied, as now artists were also being added. The station manager said that ho would be pleased to hear of any trained instrumentalist or vocalist who would play or sing for the entertainment of thousands of listencrs-in. “ Apparently a grand concert is expected every night by the listoners-in,” remarked the inquirer; and Mr Webb replied that .the value of the concerts given by the station far exceeded the money paid for a license by the listeners. Tne cost of the license was 30s, which made the cost of each night's programme from Dunedin only about Ijd- The station made the claim that its concerts were high class. The features of the programmes were the relays, which met with a wide appeal. For instance, the concerts of the Choral Society ana tho Orchestral Society were broadcasted from His Majesty’s Theatre, together with interspersed items by the Savoy Band. The relays were of different classes, but they appealed to different sections of the radio people. The aim of 4YA was to provide programmes which would interest all sections.

“ Are tho grumblers localised in Dunedin?” Mr YVebb was asked.

“Absolutely!” replied Mr Webb. All the reports ire get through the post are of a complimentary nature. Letters received from Fanning Island and Australia are highly appreciative.” One prominent performer over the radio declared to-day that he would not sing into the microphone again, lie said that the performers gave their services gratuitously, but some of the Dunedin iisteners-in were always complaining.