YA WIRELESS PROGRAMMES.

Evening Star, Issue 22576, 18 February 1937, Page 16

YA WIRELESS PROGRAMMES.

TO Taß EDITOR. Sir, —As a radio listener of average taste in music and entertainment, 1 would like to know how much longer the listeners of New Zealand are to be persecuted with highbrow programmes almost from daylight till dark. Surely some consideration should be given to listeners whose taste is for the light type of entertainment. Why should the highbrows get their symphony orchestras and contraltos, etc., for a good 75 per cent, of tho broadcasting time? I have yet to meet a listener who likes this kind of “ music ” with his breakfast. The average person wants something cheerful and bright, and it docs not need to be the “ dreadful jazz ” that the highbrows complain about. There are hundreds of tuneful dance records which could be interspersed with the programmes, yet there seems to be a deliberate avoidance of dance music in the breakfast programmes. Why? I long ago gave up the afternoon programmes as hopeless, and if I had my way all records of the Berlin State Opera House Orchestra would be scrapped. Let the cry be for brighter and more cheerful programmes.—l am, etc., Bored to Death. February 16.

[We are unable to reconcile your statements with the facts. From official figures compiled by an officer of the National Broadcasting Service, it is learned that a year’s programmes from the four main stations contain not more than about 22 per cent, of serious musia, while light and dance music is shown as 49 per cent. Serious music does not necessarily mean classical, but is inclusive of all items that cannot be classed as light. Breakfast programmes never embrace classical numbers; they are almost wholly compiled of light music.—Ed., E.S.]