STRAY SPARKS

Evening Star, Issue 21718, 12 May 1934, Page 4

STRAY SPARKS

It is not generally ‘known that copyright fees have to be considered largely by the A stations when compiling their programmes each day. Were it not for this difficulty, they could broadcast many brilliant plays for the entertainment of listeners. However, the position at present is lhat if some of the famous plays were put on the air the station would immediately be faced by a huge copyright fee. * * * * Mr C. S. Booth, of beadoliicc stall', has arrived hero to attend to the entertainment arrangements at the Broadcasting Board’s station. * * + * During the school vacation 4YA has discontinued its rchroadcasts of Wellington’s educational sessions for the benefit of school children. * * * * Bocal listeners will be pleased io know that the A station is to broadcast a description of the wrestling bout between Shikina and Mam os on Wednesday evening. The Wrestling Association lias given the station authority to carry such broadcasts during the season. This is a wise decision, which, as in the case of Rugby football, will undoubtedly tend to increase rather than decrease the attendances at the sport.

In an interesting and detailed report of a transmission from -IZM, received in daylight, a resident of Brogo, which is 200 miles from Sydney, states that the signal strength was lid, being superior to that of cither 4YA or IV

Because of the continual complaints by listeners that the doings of the Advisory Council to the Broadcasting Board are kept secret, the results of many of the council’s decisions are now being released. This is being done with the object of showing the listeners what the council is accomplishing in their interests.

The automatic volume control in the modern electric receiver is especially suitable when a short-wave adapter or converter is used, owing to the fact that it stabilises the signal after it passes the detector valve, making the signal more steady and interesting?

The first broadcast of ‘ Tips and Specials ’ from 4ZW has been delayed as a result of the station shifting to new premises. It is understood that the first broadcast of this feature will take place next Wednesday evening.

It is reported that the British Broadcasting Corporation is considering the question of breakfast broadcasts. At nrcse.nt the earliest programmes arc at 10.15 a.m.

Difficulties experienced in various parts oi Great Britain in receiving broadcast programmes will be removed if a scheme now envisaged by the British Broadcasting Corporation for building a chain of “ Composite Regional ” radio stations is put into force.

Shanghai, with thirty-five broadcasting stations, bolds ascendancy over any European or Australasian city. Twentynine oi these are Chinese, the others being owned by foreign concerns.

Radio pirates have an unpleasant experience in Sydney now when caught attempting to evade the license fee of 24s a year. The regulation fine is now £3 and costs, in addition to which the names of the defendants are broadcast as part of the news session.

Figures issued by the International Broadcasting Office (Geneva) show ibn t at the end oi’ 1933 there were D .882.4(55 registered receivers in -.urope. That means a possible uudience ol i 2.000.000 people. The figures, which exclude Russia, with its estimated 12,000.000 listeners, show a gain of 3.500,000 licenses for the year. In numbers Great Britain, with 5,973,759, heads the list, Germany following with Migbtly more than 5,000,000.

To make room for the new highpowered transmitter and generating plant at 2LJW, Sydney, some thousand square feet of extra space had to bo made available. This necessitated moving the programme production and publicity departments, also the extensive library ol records into new ejuarters. Opportunity was taken to provide another studio, making four now available for broadcasting purposes.