BUOYANT REVENUE

Evening Star, Issue 22572, 13 February 1937, Page 4

BUOYANT REVENUE

COMMONWEALTH LICENSES At one time the possibility of the increase in listeners’ .licenses slowing down until it became the same as the rate of increase in population was a matter freely discussed by those whose duty it was. to deal with such things (writes N. M. Goddard in the Sydney ‘ Morning Herald ’). Estimates were made, based partly on guesswork , and partly on results achieved, in those parts of the world where the early growth has been rapid, and it was solemnly declared that at a certain time there would bo so many listeners and that the figures after that would grow relatively slowly. The prophets have so often been confounded that exercises of this sort are now rarely engaged in either in Australia or in any other country. There seems no chance of the limit being reached for some time if tlif> results of last year are an indication. In the Commonwealth tho net increase for the 12 months was 116,863, the largest for any calendar year since the issue of licenses^ began in 1924, except the abnormal cricket year, 1934. This brings the number of licenses per 100 of the population to 13.09, a figure which places Australia high among the nations of the world. The annual progress since the beginning is shown in the following table:—

It will be noted that there has always been an increase, but that after the initial rush there was a steady decline in the rate, followed by a rapid rise to the record of 1934. All sorts of influences from cricket teams on tour to the activities of the radio inspectors have had their effects on the rises, but in the last two or three years probably the greatest factor has been the realisation that': broadcasting is not merely a new technical gadget of which its novelty is its chief attraction, but something which has become a necessity, and which has to bo at hand although it _ might only be .used on special occasions. Another important factor has been the development of the receiver to the, stage when no more technical knowledge is necessary to control it than is wanted with a modern car. The growth shown in the above table has not been uniform throughout Australia. New South Wales started off comparatively slowly, but it did riot slump as far during the 1929-31 slackening off, whereas Victoria, in the early years, made abnormal progress, but in 1930 and 1931 showed losses, and since then has progressed at a slower rate than the whole of Australia. Queensland had an uncertain start, but in the last five years has made good progress proportionately. South Aus-tralia-has a record for consistent progress which is not equalled by any other State, with the possible exception of Tasmania, while Western Australia languished for some years, but had the best results in the bad years of 1930 and 1931. The difficulty of estimating how far licenses would increase made it hard to anticipate what their income would be. The continued expansion has meant unexpected increases of revenue for the national service, both for programmes and station operation. For the year to Juno 30, 1936, the Broadcasting Commission had a surplus of £91,465, which represents 19.4 per cent, of its revenue, or about 2s 3d per license. The Post Office for the year to June 30, 1935, the last for which figures are available, had a surplus of £162,343, or more than 43 per cent, of its share of the revenue. This would amount to about 3s lOd per license. There is ample scope for the suggested reduction of tho license fee, although now. that the medium wave regional stations have multiplied, operating expenses will.increase. Eevenue is probably increasing, at least, at the same rate.

w o oB 0) a « u a <a >* 3 o 13 • S rH PS ft J3 a *4.3 Per cent. 1924 .. . 38,336 .66 . — — 1925 .. . 85,130 1.44 46,794 122 1926 .. . 187,228 3.09 102,096 120 1927 .. , 258,179 4.19 70,951 38 1928 .. .. 288,874 4.59 30,695 12 1929 .. . 309,981 4.86 21,107 7 1930 . 329,465 5.12 19,484 6 1931 .. . 337,658 5.19 8,193 2 1932 .. , 419,180 6.40 81,522 24 1933 .. . 518,628 7.81 99,448 24 1934 .. . 681.634 10.19 163,006 31 1935 .. . 770,152 11.43 88,518 13 1936 .. . 887,015 13.09 116,863 15