TELEVISION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23106, 4 February 1937, Page 12

TELEVISION

PROGRESS IN POPULARITY BELOW ANTICIPATIONS IMPORTANT STEP EXPECTED (From Our Own Correspondent) <Bv Air Mail) LONDON, Jan. 9. Television, marvel of invention though it may be, has not been making progress in popularity hoped for by the 8.8. C. There has been a certain amount of criticism of the programmes. At present, two systems of transmission are being used alternately as an experiment, the Baird and the Marconi. Present indications are that unpleasant as may be the consequences to one firm or the other, the step of finally adopting one system will have to be taken, and it would not be surprising if it were taken sooner than is generally imagined. Such a step would greatly affect the public, for it is likely that the price of sets could then be reduced, and television could go ahead in consequence in a way which is impossible now. It is impossible to obtain reliable information about the present sale of sets. An estimate is that there are three or four thousand in use. The number remains small because of the price. (The average set costs about £80.) The position is such that if television is to be given a fair chance the Television Advisory Committee will be compelled to come to vital decisions before long. CORONATION PROCESSION

There is also the question of the television broadcasting stations outside London. So much has had to be done in London that little serious thought has been given to this matter. It is almost certain that Birmingham will have the first of them, as it is to that city that the necessary co-axial cable (or high frequency), a very costly Post Office line, will first be laid, the work being completed in September. The co-axial type of cable is destined to be a valuable helpmeet to television in other ways. London will before long have a sort of "inner circle" of it, and there will be tappings at various points, such as Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, and other buildings, enabling televised public events to be relayed to Alexandra Palace. To make use of this scheme an elaborately equipped television broadcasting van is being built, and from this a temporary cable may be run to the tappings as desired. It is expected that both van and " inner circle ' will be available for the Coronation broadcasts, enabling viewers to see the procession at home. "Television is a great medium, says Mr Gerald Cock, director of television, "and in spite of difficulties, many of them appalling, great things will be done if only everybody concerned will remember that we are in the early pioneering days and be patient." Mr Cock considers that much of the criticism is ill-advised. " I know we have had bad programmes, but how could we avoid mistakes at this stage? We have had many more good programmes, and by constantly experimenting we shall steadily increase the good ones."