PROGRAMME REFORM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 230, 14 September 1935, Page 9

PROGRAMME REFORM

Improvement of Services AUSTRALIAN INTENTIONS Striking changes in the entertainment provided by the Australian Broadcasting Commission were foreshadowed by the chairman, Mr W. J. Cleary, when he returned to Sydney from a tour of the national stations, reports the ‘‘Sunday Sun.” Beginning almost immediate l I* he said, the Commission will build up programmes with the object of imi proving services over the national stations. The following developments will take place:—World-famous singers and pianists will be invited to Australia to give broadcast performances. ‘‘Only the best” is the Commission’s new slogan. Talk programmes will be overhauled to provide for addresses on every subject to appeal to every taste. Studio presentations will be altered. The interview form of radio talk will be introduced. Light entertainment will be built up, providing a big market for Australians able to write on humourous topics. Light musical sketches and i aude'ille will be used. i School broadcasts will be expanded--1 Suitable enc act ogcra programme* will

be given over the national network for children in schools. When wore regional stations are provided in New South Wales, stations 2FC and 2BL will devote certain nights to high-class and popular programmes. A permanent symphony orchestra will be developed. The Commission, in its new policy, would not spare expense to reward talent, but would not waste listeners’ money on mediocrities, said Mr Cleary. ‘‘We are negotiating with high-class overseas artists for broadcasts in Australia,” Mr Cleary went on to say. ‘‘We will use them to develop our local artists, and to build up a symphony orchestra. In addition to solo performances, pianists and singers will be asked to perform in our musical programmes. ‘‘We hope to establish a permanent symphony orchestra of 45 members. When a public concert is given at the Town Hall, for example, the number of the orchestra may be as high as 75.” No longer would talks be given which appealed only to men of university education. They would be more comprehensive in subject and presented in an entirely different way. A speaker, for example, might present his subject by means of replies to the questions of an interviewer. No decision has yet been reached regarding the appointment of a general manager for the Commission.