TEST MATCH

Grey River Argus, 6 September 1930, Page 8

TEST MATCH

Broadcasts in Sydney

Connuentiug on the statement of Mr E. T. Fisk, Managing Director of the broadcasting of the Test matches in Australia, Mr. F. W. Larkins of A.W.A., who is now on a business trip io New Zealand, states that is was undoubtedly one of the most successful achievements of Australian broadcasting of recent years. The whole of the five test matches were described, ball for ball, in a vivid realistic manner that was of absorbing interest to the listeners in. The announcer described every feature of the game as if he were watching it. The broadcasts commenced about I p.m. and finished at about 3 a.m. Sydney time. A notable feature of the btil for ball broadcasting was that is was put over the air by a Class B. station, viz. 2 UW, owned by the music house of Paling & Co., the equipment of this station was designed and manufactured by Amalgamated Wireless. The broadcasting of the Tests was carried out principally by means of the Am algainated Wireless Company’s Beam service from Great Britain to Aus tralia, and the enormous cost of radiograms—several thousand pounds—was borne by some half-dozen national advertisers who considered themselves fully recouped by having their names associated with the Test cricket broadcasting. The enterprise of Station 2 UW and the co-operation of A.W.A. have had a very definite influence on sales of radio receivers in Australia, with the 1 result that quite a boom has been

t effected in radio trading. To those knowing the enormous popularity of ■ “licensed” or what are known as Class ’B ’ stations in Australia in con i tradistinetion to national broadcasting j stations, the lack of stations of this type in New Zealand is very marked. I he programmes of classical music put OU the air by Station 2 UW are a delight to every music lover. At. least one evening a week a complete grand opera is broadcasted from records. I It is of interest to note that the greater proportion of such programmes are “sponsored programmes”. < the | name of the firm contributing to their I cost only being announced. Then follows a high-class musical entertainment lof the best in operatic records. The I system of sponsored programmes is the ' system that is widely used in broad'casting in U.S.A, and which lias the .backing of some of America’s greatest advertisers. In Sydney there are toI day four Class “B” stations, while Brisbane will shortly have two.