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Evening Star, Issue 22526, 19 December 1936, Page 4

LOOKING FORWARD FUTURE OF TELEVISION [By Gerald Cock, 8.8. C. Director of Television.] We think we know what an ideal television service should (and eventually will) be like ; but we also know that for many years at any rate that standard cannot be achieved, and suspect that when it can, many of those responsible for the early efforts will bo in their graves. A good deal has, been written, not always accurately, about plans for the trial period of television. Instead) of going into all that again, I shall try to suggest the trend of television in an unpredictable future, when screens are enlarged and brightened, and the service area covers the country.j when “ outside ” broadcasts by television are everyday occurrences, and) when, perhaps, colour transmissions are practicable. The television will by then have pror foundly affected broadcasting as we understand it to-day, even were a combined service not yet in being, is, I think, quite certain. Let us then look forward into time, when the majority of homes or community viewing rooms throughout the country will have their television screens of not less than 24iri by 18in. We are entitled to imagine that programme hours would still (be few —perhaps four a day—and that they would b© confined to events of outstanding interest and entertainment value, for television will, I think, mean the end of “ background ” listening. For my part, I anticipate some such arrangement as three fixed hourly periods, with a “ floating ” period for important outside events taking place outside the regular service programme hours. Thus, for vision and sound. But it may be that “ background ” entertainment in sound only will continue to be broadcast at less important times. That would mean a combined service with a limited number of peak programmes, backed up by ordinary sound programmes broadcast on the normal television sound waves. , TOPICALITIES AND TALKS. Television is essentially a medium for topicalities. It seems likely, then, that there would be an elaborate daily news service, .freely illustrated by films, 1 still ’ pictures, and personalities, supplemented by an explanatory news commentary. For the latter, charts, plans, and diagrams would be used by speakers such as, for example, Commander Stephen King-Hall, with a talent for clear and concise interpretation and description. A main 1 Topic of the Week ’ would he selected for special treatment. As subsidiaries to the main news there would be such items as * People in the News,’ the direct televising of important ceremonial and sporting events, and a daily television film newsreel. A film unit, and the accumulation and organisation of a vast library of films and still photographs, would have _ been essential, together with a statistical section for the compilation of maps, charts, and diagrams. There would be great scope for illustrated talks. Long before the stage I am envisaging they would, I hope and believe, have proved of considerable educational value—an integral part, perhaps, of an “ education without tears.’ Vitalised by the personality of the speaker and by illustration, innumerable subjects of general and specialised interest, which might be difficult to follow from the spoken .word alone, could hold and even excite the attention through the medium of television. Matters of importance to the whole community, such as road safety, town planning, the countryside, health services, and so on, would be brought home to viewers with an added emphasis. DRAMA AND VARIETY. An original play or specially devised tclevsiion production might he a weekly feature. If a national theatre were in being close cooperation between it and the 8.8. C. might have solved an extremely difficult problem—that of original dramatic work. Excerpts from >p}ays during their normal runs, televised from the studio or direct from the stage, with perhaps a complete play at the end of its run, would have attractive possibilities as part of a review pf the nation’s entertainment activities. But, in my view, television is from its very nature more suitable for the dissemination of all kinds of information than for entertainment as such, since it can scarcely be expected to compete successfully with films in that respect. Nevertheless, the lighter forms of _ entertainment will certainly have their place. Cabaret-variety (whatever shape it may eventually assume), opera, ballet, circus, “personality” artists, and show bands all lend themselves appropriately to the medium. Directly televised day and night scenes in the streets, theatrical premieres, and so on, would help to introduce the unexpected and “ actuality ” elements. There are innumerable diversions possible. Young artists from the R.A.D.A. and other training schools might have public auditions. A woman’s hour would be available for the display of fashions in clothes, hair dressing, domestic furnishing, etc. MUSIC AND FILMS. It is to be hoped that a satisfactory way of presenting serious music, such as symphonies, will be developed. I think it may be left for listeners to switch tho scene in _ and out as desired, and that listening would still be regarded as the main objective. The same technique might apply to talks of certain kinds not lending themselves to illustration, when, for example, the speakers were of greater importance than the topic. Much, I think, would have been done to develop short and documentary i

films along new lines. Of the nso of commercial “ feature ” films I am personally less confident. Obviously, the film provides the newest and most varied form of entertainment, ready “ canned ” for television purposes. From the practical point of view, in saving rehearsal time, studio space, and production difficulties, films ought to be of great value to a pioneer entertainment such as television. But televised programmes should be personal to the viewer, and there is something impersonal about films. It may be because they are meant to be shown on a large screen, or because the person who is intended to see them is envisaged as one of a large audience, or there may bo some other subtle psychological distinction; but I suggest that feature films are not really suitable programme ammunition. As an extreme case, I believe viewers would rather see an actual scene of a rush hour at Oxford Circus directly transmitted to them than the latest in film musicals costing £IOO,OO0 —though I do not expect to escape unscathed with such an opinion.

The films that will undoubtedly find their place in television programmes are specially made films with a topical or actuality theme, films used as illustrations to talks, newsreels, and cartoons. What, for example, could be more effective than a topical series of

satirical cartoons depicting the woes of the Little Man inescapably caught up in the machinery of our so-called civilisation ? The cost of a service of this kind would be formidable, the practical difficulties enormous. But I am confident that something like it will be achieved. What sort of plant would be necessary? I foresee its occupying a considerable area. Apart from administrative offices, there might be a main central control tower ,surrounded by sound stages and with sub-control points arranged to cover grounds containing pool, stadium, and landing ground for aeroplanes. There would be a theatre and film processing plant, a research station, experimental laboratory, and guest house. To give free rein to the imagination on a subject so little understood as television is to invito the label of a half-witted and irresponsible visionary. But those engaged in the adventure are more deeply concerned at its necessarily modest start and the practical limitations of the early programmes in the sense that they will have to he reproductive rather than creative; that there will always bo a thousand perfectly good arguments against every step forward. it that I think we can leave the subject. The rate of acceleration of television developments depends as much upon the public, for whom the service exists, as upon, the genius and training of technicians throughout the world. The medium has been created by physicists and research workers. To adapt it for the greater good of the community is a heavy responsibility. BUILDING THE NEW 2YA GOOD PROGRESS AT TSTAIH BAY The new 2YA mast is now a landmark from the main road north. Last week a total of 640 ft had been completed, leaving only 60ft before the mast is finished. Tho erection has been marked, by no serious setbacks, except, of course, those due to the weather. In fact, except for a broken insulator on a guy wire that caused a delay of a day or two, the mast lias grown according to expected schedule. All the guys are now in position. Tests made during the recent gales show that even at the top tho mast is perfectly steady. To the eye there is no percepti&le movement even in the strongest blow so far experienced with winds up to and possibly over 80 miles an hour. Very satisfactory progress has also been made with the transmitting gear. Internal tests under power have already been made with the five-kilowatt plant that is to become the new 2YC. The high power transmitter is also nearly completed, and tests are taking place all the time on various units of this plant. Final tests depend, of course, upon the completion of the mast and the slinging of tho aerials.