1953.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUS'fRALIA.
FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CONTROL BOARD.
YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1953.
By Authority: L. F. JOHNSTON, Oommonwea1th Government Printer, Canberra. (Printed In Au1tralla.) 5072. 1953.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
FIFTH ANNUAL R'EPORT.
OF THE
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CONTROL BOARD.
· YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1953.
By Authority: L. F . JOHNSTON, Commonweaith Government Printer, Canberra. (Printed In Au1tralla.) 5072. CONTENTS.
PAGE No. PART !.-INTRODUCTORY 3 Membership of the Board 3 Functions of the Board 3 PART II.-ADMINISTRATION 3 Meetings of the Board 3 Consultation with the Australian Broadcasting Commission, Representatives of Commercial Broadcasting Stations, Advertisers and Manufacturers .. 4 Staff of the Board-Head Office 4 State Organization 4 Licensing of Commercial Broadcasting Stations 4 Grant of New Licences 4 Applications for Licences .. 6 Renewal of Licences 6 Current Licences for Commercial Broadcasting Stations 6 Fees for Licences for Commercial Broadcasting Stations 6 Commercial Broadcasting Stations- Financial Results of Operations 6 Transfer of Licences and Leasing of Stations . . 7 Ownership of Commercial Broadcasting Stations 7 M.P.A. Productions Pty. Ltd... 8 Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd...... 9 Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation Pty. Ltd., Sydney, and Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation (Queensland) Ltd., Brisbane .. 9 Findlays Pty. Ltd., Tasmania 9 Nicholsons Ltd., Perth 9 Whitfords Interests, Perth 9 Newspaper Companies 9 Networks of Commercial Broadcasting Stations IO Australian UNESCO Committee for Radio 10 State Broadcasting Advisory Committees 11 Defamation by Means of Broadcasting 11 Television 11 Royal Commission on Television 11 The Television Act 1953 12 PART IIL- TECHNICAI. SERVICES 12 Plans for t he Development of the National Broadcasting Service 12 Plans for the Development of the Commercial Broadcasting Service 14 Increased P ower for Country Stations on Shared Channels .. 14 Increased Power for Commercial Stations in Capital Cities and Newcastle 14 Clear Channel Stations for Country Districts 16 Additional Commercial Broadcasting Stations 16 Unattended Operation of Broadcasting Stations 17 a Standards for the Technical Equipment and Operation of Broadcasting Stations 17 l Australian Broadcasting Commission- Request for Additional Programme Channels 17 l Synchronized Operation of Broadcasting Stations 17 High Frequency (Short -wave) Broadcasting . . 17 Allocation of Frequencies .. 18 Very High Frequency Broadcasting 19 British Commonwealth Broadcasting Conference 19 Meetings of the C.C.I.R. (Comite Consultatif International Des Radiocommunications) 19 Television 20 Standards 20 Television Receiver I ntermediate Frequencies 20 Colour Television 20 Experimental Investigations 20 Medium Frequency Directional Aerials 21 Consultative Committee on Radio Research 21 P ART I V.-PROGRAMME SERVICES 21 General Considerations 21 Variety of Programmes 22 Religious Broadcasts 22 P olitical Broadcasts- Provision of Equitable Facilities 23 Broadcasts from Commercial Stations by Party Leaders throughout the Senate Election Campaign 23 Other Broadcasts by Parliamentary Parties and Members of such Parties from Commercial Stations 23 Broadcast s from Commercial Stations by Organizations which conducted programmes containing political matter during the Election Period 24 Total Times for Senate Election Broadcasts from Commercial Stations 24 National Broadcasting Service . . 24 Advertising ...... 24 Sunday Advertising 25 Medical Advertisements and Talks 25 H ours of Service . . 25 Broadcasts in Foreign Languages 26 Broadcasting of Personal Messages . . 26 Emergency Messages to Ambulances 26 Community Service 27 News Broadcasts 27 Broadcasting of Objectionable Matters 27 Encouragement of" Local Talent" 27 Children's P rogrammes 28 Programmes for Adolescents 28 R evision of E xisting Instructions t o Licensees of Commercial Broadcasting Stations 29 Broadcasts relating to Sporting E vents . . 29 Lotteries 29 Broadcasting of Telephone Conversations 29 Time Signals and Time Announcements 29 Standard of Announcing . . 29 Observation of Programmes 30 Colombo Plan- Training in Broadcasting Practice 30 PART V.-GENERAL 30 Financial Accounts of the Board 30 Listeners' Licences 30 Cost of National Broadcasting Service 30 Acknowledgments 31 APPENDICES. "A "- Commercial Broadcasting Stations in Operation on 30th J une, 1953 32 " B "- National Broadcasting Stations in Operation on 30th J une, 1953 . . 34 " C "-Commercial Broadcasting Stations- Increases in Operating Power Determined by the Board 35 "D "- Principles to Govern Children's P rogrammes 36 "E "-Australian Broadcasting Control Board-Statement of Receipts and Payments for Year Ended 30th June, 1953 37 ~No. 3 3 3 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CONTROL BOARD. 3 3 FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT. 4 4 4 4 4 6 The Honorable the Postmaster-General: (b) to ensure that the technical equipment and 6 operation of such stations are in accordance 6 In conformity with the provisions of sec~ion 6P of 6 the Broadcasting Act 1942-1953, the Australian ~roB;d with such standards and practices as the 6 casting Control Board has the honour to furmsh its Board considers to be appropriate; 7 Report, bei11g the F~fth Annual Report of the Boa:d, (c) to ensure that adequate and comprehensive 7 programmes are provided by such stations 8 on its operations durmg the year ended 30th June, 19b3, 9 together with :financial accounts in the form appr?ved to serve the best interests .of the general by the Treasurer, and the report of the Aud1tor public. 9 9 General on those accounts. 6. The Board has other detailed functions relating 9 2. This Report is arranged as follows : to broadcasting, television, and other services, and 9 these are fully set out in paragraphs 42-45 of its First 9 Part I.-Introductory. 10 Annual Report. (They are also referred to, where 10 Part IL-Administration. appropriate, in this report.) In particular, the Board 11 Part III.-Technical Services. is required to determine the location, operating power, 11 and frequency of . all broadcasting and oolev:ision 11 Part IV.-Programme Services. 11 Part V.-General. stations, and to advise the JYiinister on all matters 12 relating to the licensing of commercial broadcasting 12 stations. 12 PART I.-INTRODUCTORY. 7. A historical review of the development of the 14 MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD. l4 Australian broadcasting system and a description of the l4 3. Section 6B of the Broadcasting Act 1942-1953 N ati01ial and Commercial Broadcasting Services has l6 provides that the Board shall oonsist of three members been given in earlier reports. The first two years l6 appointed by the Governor-General, one of whom shall l7 following the Board's establishment in 1949 were l7 be Chairman. The first Chairman of the Board was largely a period of investigation during which defi l7 Mr. L. B. Fanning, I.S.O., who held office from the ciencies in the Austrnlian broadcasting structure were .7 date the Board was constituted on 15th March, 1949, revealed and plans were prnp:uerl for their remedy and .7 until the expiration of his term of office on 14th March, .8 for the general irnpron:rn:cnt of the services. In its last .9 1952. Following Mr. Fanning's retirement, Mr. Robert Report, the Board was able to record defo1ite progress .9 Gumley Osborne, B.A., LL.:i:., a m~mber of t~e original in the implementation of many proposals designed, in 9 Board, was appointed Chairman ior a per10d of five :o pursuance of its statutory responsibilities, to ensure the :o years from 15th March, 1952, and Mr. Robert Bruce provision of a satisfactOl'y broadcasting service for the :o Mair, B.E.E., A.M.I.E. (Aust), S.M.I.R.E. (Ayst.), people in the Commonwealth and during the year under :o was reappointed a member of the Board for a period of review there have been further developments calculated :o three years from the same date.. An appointn;ient of a to improve the technical efficiency of the services, :1 third member of the Board (vice Mr. Fannmg) was 1 especially in the country areas of Australia. not made until 4th May, 1953, from which date Mr. 1 8. As a result of minor amendments made during thn 1 Raymond Cottam A.llsop, F.I.R.E. (Aust.), M. Brit. 2 I.R.E., S.M.I.R.E. (U.S.A.), F.S.M.P.E. (U.S.A.), year to provisions of the Broadca.sting Act 1942-1951 2 was appointed as a member for a period of .five years. relating to the banking accounts of the Board and the 3 Australian Broadcasting Commission, the Act is now 3 4. It is appropriate to mention that, under sections cited as the Broadcastirvg Act 1942-1953. The amend 3 6n and 6G of the Act, no per.son shall be appointed, or ments were made by the Commonwealth Bank Act 1953. 4 continue to hold office, as a member of the Board, who- 4 ( a) has any :financial interest, whether dir.ect or PART IL- ADMINISTRATION. 4 indirect, in any company which is the 4 }/fEETil'\GS OF THE BOARD. 5 licensee of a commercial broadcasting 5 station or manufactures or deals in equip 9. During the year, the Board continued its normal 5 ment for the transmission or reception of practice of holding meetings every week at its officf' 5 in Melbourne for the transaction of businesss requiring 5 broadcasting, television or facsimile pro- 5 grammes ; the attention of the Board, as distinct from the day-to 7 (b) is a member of the governing body of any day direction by individual members ·of particular 7 company or other association of persons aspects of its work. The Board also held meetings in each 7 other State capital and visited Albury and Launceston. 7 which is the licensee of a commercial broad l casting station; or Individual members of the Board and senior officers of its staff visited several other country centres. The , (c) is the licensee of a commercial broadcasting ) purpose of these visits, as has been explained in previous ) station. reports, is to ensure that decisions on the many ) ) FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD. important issues which have to be determined by the Board are based on an intimate knowledge of the I 5. The principal functions of the Board are set out I subjects and, in the broadcasting field, this can fre I in section 6K of the Act, and ar ~ as follows :- quently be acquired only by investigations on the spot. I (a) to ensure the provision of services by broad Theoretical calculations and field surveys go far towards casting stations, television ·stations and the solution of many technical questions, but many of facsimile stations, and services of a like the Board's problems are of such a nature as to demand kind, in accordance with plans fr.om time to a proper appreciation of local conditions and the time prepared by the Board and approved requirements of both broadcasters and listener.s in the by the Minister ; areas concerned. When the ·board visited Albury for 4
the Annual Convention of the Australian Federation of aspects of the broadcastit1g services, and to carry out Commercial Broadcasting Stations, the representatives detailed administrative and technical functions on an top< of several licensees of commercial stations took the Australia-wide basis. The Board, with the approval of atm opportunity so afforded of consulting the Board con the Public Service Board, had intended shortly after fro I cerning various aspects of their operations. its establishment to set up a small organization in each 1 State in order to carry out these functions e:ffect~vely, of a bnt, in accordance with the Minister's wishes, it has, gati CONSULTATION WITH THJ
area on the eastern side of Spencer Gulf. No con Annual Report, the Board regards this duty as one of A clusions had been reached in this matter at the time its most important responsibilities because constant SU this report was being written. vigilance is required, in the public interest, to ensure 26. Western Australia.-The Board's Fourth Annual that every licensee maintains a high standard of Report gave details of proposals which had been service, both in respect of the technical performance approved by the Minister for expanding the Commercial of his station and the quality of its programmes. It is Broadcasting Service in Western Australia by the evident that the general standard of service is being establishment of additional stations in the Bridge raised as a result of the close attention which is being town-Manjimup area, the Northern Wheat Belt and at paid by the Board to various aspects of the operations 19 Albany. A licence for a station in the Bridgetown of each station. The Board has not had occasion 19 Manjimup area was formally granted to W.A. Broad during the past year to recommend to the Minister 19 that the renewal of any existing licence should be with 19 casters Pty. Ltd. on 12th January, 1953, and the 19 station, 6BY Bridgetown, commenced operations on held, but, as in previous years, some licensees were, 19 24th January, 1953, operating on the 900 kC/s. channel with the approval of the Minister, informed that the 19 renewal of their licences had been granted subject to 19 with a power of 2,000 watts. Nicholsons Limited, 19 which already operates 6PR Perth, 6TZ Bunbury and appropriate measures being taken promptly to effect improvements in specified directions. 19 6CI Collie, has been informed that the Minister is 19 prepared to grant a licence for a station in a location to be selected in the Northern Wheat Belt, but the loca UuRRENT LICENCES FOR COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING It tion of the station has not yet been determined. The STATIONS. w Minister has authorized the Albany Advertiser (1932) 30. On the 30th June, 1953, there were 105 licences Ct Limited to proceed with the formation of a local com for commercial broadcasting stations in force. A list CC pany to which a licence will be granted at Albany. of licensees is co11tained in Appendix "A". A map of rt 27. Tasmania.-The power of five of the eight com Australia showing the location of all broadcasting mercial stations operating in Tasmania has been stations is included after Appendix "E ". The dis increased and as they are providing a satisfactory position of the licencee according to States is shown service for almost all the populated portions of the hereunder :- State, the Board does not contemplate recommending - · to the Minister that any additional stations should ·be State. Metropolitan Country Total. established. Area. districts.
APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES. New South Wales (including 28. Twenty-five applications were received during Australian Capital Territoy) 7 30 37 Victoria ...... 6 13 19 the year for licences for new commercial stations dis Queensland . . .. 4 16 20 2( - tributed amongst the States as follows:- South Australia .. .. 3 5 8 3( Western Australia .. .. 4 9 13 3E New South Wales 12 Tasmania ...... 2 6 8 31 Victoria 2 3J Commonwealth .. 26 79 105 Queenslan°d 9 Western Australia 2 p FEES FOR LICENCES FOR CoMl\fERCIAL BROADCASTING 0 Total 25 STATIONS. 31. Under section 48 of the Act, the licensee of each st In addition, two applications were received for com h mercial stations in the Territory of New Guinea. The commercial broadcasting station is required to pay an annual licence fee, assessed in accordance with the tc total applications now recorded by the Board is 1,026, b, but many of these applications were received in the early Commercial Broadcasting Stations Licence Fees Act 1942, which provides for an annual fee of £25 per st days of broadcasting and can no longer be regarded tl as current. In addition, many of the applications are annum, plus one-half of 1 per centum of the gross for stations }n areas which are already well served and earnings of any station which in the preceding year 0 has made a profit. The total amount of licence fees c in respect of which there is little likelihood of addi tl tional M.F. stations being authorized. Each new appli payable during 1952-53 was £22,343 made up as follows:- ~ cation is given careful consideration by the Board and, p in any case wherE: the circumstances are clearly such as Fees Paid by- tl not to justify the grant of a licence on the ·basis indi a cated in paragraph 19, the applicant is informed of State. Total. JIIetropolit.an Country 0 Stations. Stations. the reasons why the Board cannot recommend to the B, Minister that a licence should be granted for the tl station he desires to establish. In other cases, further investigations, including a field survey, are made by the £ £ £ 0 New South Wales . . .. 4,633 4,449 9,082 s· Board as a preliminary to the preparation of a report Victoria ...... 3,724 2,083 5,807 t and recommendation to the Minister. Queensland .. .. 1,802 1,997 3,799 r South Australia .. . . 1,216 156 1,372 Western Australia .. . . 580 638 1,218 .J RENEWAJ, OF LICENCES. Tasmania ...... 482 583 1,065 t t 29. Section 46 (2.) of the Broadcasting Act 1942- Commonwealth .. 1953 provides as follows:- - 12,4371 9,906 22,3!3 ( The :Minist er, if he deems it desirable, may from time to time renew a licence for any period not exceeding one year from the elate of expiration of the current licence or renewal. COMMERCIAL B ROADCASTING STATIONS-FINANCIAL 1 The Board is required to advise the Minister on each RESULTS OF OPERAT IONS. application for renewal of a licence and it takes the 32. The following particulars, which have been opportunity so afforded to make a complete review of extracted from statements submitted by the licensees of the operations of each station during the previous commercial broadcasting stations since 1942, in pur twelve months. As was explained in its Fourth suance of the provisions of section 67 (1.) (c) of the 7
one of Act, show the financial results from the operations of or admit any ot11e1 I'"'tiUH w participate in any of the benefits mstant such stations during the past ten years:- of the licence, or to exercise any of the powers or authorities ensure granted by the licence. nd of Number During the year, the Minister, 011 the recommenda of Stations Statious :mance Year. stations making showing Total Tota.I Total tion of the Board, gave his consent for the transfer of It is in a a loss. Revenue. ex pendit1u·e. profit. two licences, in each case the licence being transferred opera· profit. being tion. to a new company formed for the purpose of raising the ; being --- capital required to purchase new transmitting equip £ £ £ rations 1941- 42 97 53 44 1,330,000 1,248,188 81,812 ment and move the station to a new site following an ~ casion 1942-43 96 66 30 1,298,297 1,157,294 141,003 incrnase in operati11g power. The licence for station inister 1943-44 98 87 11 1,871,851 1,491,967 379,884 2AD Armidale was transferred from the Armidale ~with- 1944-45 100 89 11 2,184,686 1,758,905 425,781 Newspaper Co. LtJ. (operating as New England 1945-46 100 86 14 2,279,719 1,851,042 428,677 were, 1946-47 101 85 16 2,388,587 2,013,363 375,224 Broadcasters) to N ew England Broadcasters Pty. Ltd. Lat the 1947-48 102 86 16 2,774,371 2,278,319 496,052 in which the Armidale Newspaper Co. Ltd. and Broad ject to 1948-49 102 90 12 3,212,253 2,619,474 592,779 cast Amalgamated Pty. Ltd. (consisting of shareholders effect 1949- 50 102 84 18 3,178,360 2,748,594 429,766 resident in the New England district) have equal shares 1950- 51 102 88 14 3,607,498 3,092,259 515,239 1951-52 103 87 16 4,329,675 3,729,554 600,121 and have the right to nominate three directors. The chairman of directors, who has a casting vote, is a nominee of the Armidale Newspaper Co. Ltd. The STING It should be explained that eleven of the sixteen stations licence for station 2RG Griffith was transferred from which made a loss were being operated on relay from Irrigation Area Newspapers Pty. Ltd. to 2RG Broad .cences capital city stations in the same ownership and that the casters Pty. Ltd., a new company with a nominal A list combined accounts of the capital city stations a11d the capital of £100,000 in which the former licensee holds aap of relay stations showed a profit. one-sixth of the issued shares and Associated Rural :asting Industries Ltd., a public company with head-quarters Le dis T RANSF J<;R OF LICE N CES AND LEASIN G OF STATIOKS. at Sydney but with interests in the Griffith district, shown holds nm-sixths of the issued shares. 33. Section 50 (1.) of the Act provides that E:iccpt with the consent in writing of the :Minister, a 34. At 30th .Tune, 1953, the following five stations licensee of a commercial broadcasting station shalt not transfe r were, with the consent of the Minister, being operated by 'otal. the licence or assign, sublet or otherwise dispose of t he lice1H·r' persons other than the licensees:-
Date <>f Da.te of Station. Licrnsee. original expiry ot· exi !"-\t- ave.rat ing company. cmrnent.. ing C'ouse-nt. . 37 19 20 2CH Sydney .. New South Wales Council of Churches Service 14.4.36 31.12.56 Amalgamated Wireless (A/ asia.) Ltd. 8 3CV Marybo rough .. Central Vict oria Broadcasters P ty. Ltd. .. 17 . 12.41 31.12.53 J. R . Birt Pty. Ltd. 13 3SH Swan Hill . . Swan Hill Broadcasting Co. Pty. Ltd. .. 5 . 4.37 31.12.56 Central Murray Broadcasters Pty. Ltd. 8 3KZ Melbourne .. Industrial Printing and Publicity Co. Ltd. . . 12.2.32 30.6.56 3KZ Broadcasting Co. Pty. Ltd. 3XY Melbourne .. Station 3XY Pty. Ltd...... 17.5.35 1.5 .56 Efftee Broadcasters Pty. Ltd. .05 35. The consent given by the Minister during the ( c ) four commercial broadcasting st ations in any one previous year for a continuance until 30th June, 1953, State; or ( d) eight comm ercial broadcasting st ations in Australia. TING of t h e agreement between Central Victoria Broad- - casters Pty. Ltd. and J. R. Birt Pty. Ud. in respect of For the purposes of this section, it is necessary for : each station 3CV Maryborough was e:d ended to 31st Decem- reliable information concerning the ownership and ay an her, 1953. Reference was made in the Fourth Report control of commercial broadcasting stations to be avail h the to the purchase of all the shares in J. R. Birt P ty. Ltd. able to the Board, in order that the Minister may be s Act by 3AW Broadcasting Company Pty. Ltd., licensee of advised whether the statutory limitations on the owner 5 per station 3AW Melbourne. When the Minister approved ship and control of stations are being observed. this purchase it was on the understanding that the gross 37. Any contemplated changes in the ownership or year objective of 3A W Broadcasting Company P ty. Ltd. and Central Victoria Broadcasters Pty. Ltd. was to combine control of stations by any of the methods mentioned in i fees section 50 of the Act (see paragraph 33) are carefully Lp as their interests by the formation of a new company which would hold the licence for 3CV and that both examined by the B oard, which in each case makes a parties would use their best endeavours to bring about report to the Minister, indicating whether, on the this result as soon as possible on terms which were fair information available to the Board, the proposal would result in any infringement of section 53. T here are no ital. and reasonable. The Board realized that negotiations of this type would take some time, and in th e belief that provisions in the Act regulating transfers of shares in satisfactory progress was bei11g made, it recommended companies holding licences for commercial broad that the Minister should consent to a further extension <:>asting stations, but it is a condition of each licence of time until 31st December, 1953, to en able the parties that "the control of the station shall not be varied in £ ::my manner wh atsoever, directly or indirectly, without 9,082 suffb ient time to reach :finality. The agreement between 5,807 the Industrial Printing and Publicity Company Ltd., the permission of the Minister ". I n addition the 3,799 lircnsee of station 3K Z Melbourne, expired on 30th Board's administrative procedure requires- 1,372 ( a ) each prospective licensee company to submit a 1,218 June, 1953, and the Minister has given his consent to 1,065 the renewal of the agreement for a further period of complete list of shareholders and a copy of three years. its :Memorandum and Articles of Associa 2,343 tion to the Minister prior to the grant of a OvYNERSHIP OF COMMERCIAL B ROADCASTIN G S T ATIONS. licence; 36. Section 53 (1.) of the Broadca sting Act 1942- (b) each licensee company to submit an up-to-date JIAL 1953 reads- list of sh areholders with its annual appli A person sh all not own , or be in a posit ion to exercise cation for renewal of its licence ; and been control, either directly or indirectly, of, mor e t h a11- ( r ) each licensee company to consult the Minister es of ( a. ) one metropolitan commer ciai brmtdcast ing st ation i 11 any Stat e; or the Boar d before any substantial tr ansac pur ( b) four metropolitan commercia l broacl c· asling stations in tion affecting the shareholding or control of f the Amh~~ ; . the company is completed. 8
A further requirement is that licensees supply the Board SHARE8 HELD BY BROADCASTING STATION 2GB with complete lists of their directors and keep the Board PTY. LTD. informed of any changes in the Memorandum and (Controlled by Broadcasing Associates Pty. Ltd.) Articles of Association of their company. Shares 38. ~
B proposed transactions have been completed with the Whitfords Interests, Perth.-Mr. and Mrs. A. P.H. result that- Whitford and Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Whitford hold all ( a) M.P.A. Productions Pty. Ltd. has disposed of the shares in the companies holding the licences for the majority of shares which it held in 6AM Northam, 6KG Kalgoorlie, and 6PM Perth, and ares l by 2CA Canberra by virtue of the shares held have a controlling interest in 6GE Geraldton. >ad by Broadcasting Associates Pty. Ltd.; ting 4,4. Newspaper Companies.-Newspaper companies, .ti on (b) the interest held by M.P.A. Productions Pty. . Pty. or persons substantially interested in newspapers, owned td. I.td. (through Broadcasting Associates Pty. eighteen of the 105 stations in operation on 30th June, Ltd.) in Broadcasting Station 2GB Pty. 1953, and held shares in 30 otlwr stati011s. The prin ,139 Ltd. has been converted from a majority cipal newspaper interests in broadcasting stations, in holding of 68.88 per cent. of the issued addition to those mentioned in paragraphs 39-41, are 749 shares to a minority interest of 44.7 per cent. set out below:- of the issued shares ; and 856 ( c) the reduction of the M.P.A. Productions Pty. CAPITAL CITY NEWSPAPERS. ,500 Ltd. interest in Broadcasting Station 2GB 2UE Sydney Controlling interest held by AJ; Pty. Ltd. has in turn proportionately soeiated Newspapers I..1td. (the ,000 reduced the indirect interest it holds Sydney Sun) . Licences held by Herald and Weekly (through Broadcasting Associates Pty. Ltd.) 3DB Melbourne { t in 3LK Lubeck · · Times Ltd. (the Melbourne in stations 2LF Young, 2LT Lithgow, 2MG Herald). Lsac Mudgee, 3AW Melbourne and 5DN Adelaide oad 3.SR Shepparton (Controlling interest held by the Argus (see paragraph 39). · · ~ and Australasian Ltd. (the Mel ting :~UL Warragul The general effect of the transactions is that, except in 3YB Warrnambool . · . hourne Argus), which holds all :rms the shares in the licensee company. the case of the Argus and Australasian Ltd. (which was l 3A W Melbourne the not affected by these transactions), no company con .. 5 Quarter inten~t held by David Syme 30V Maryborough .. l and Co. Ltd. (the Melbourne Age) . ated trolled by M.P.A. Productions Pty. Ltd. will hold a 1ich, Licences held by Queensland News- majority of shares in any company holding a licence 4AK Oakey { Pty. 4IlK Brisbane .· papers Pty. Ltd. (the Brislbane for a commercial broadcasting station. · · Oourier-Mail). t in ions 42. Anwlga.maled Wireless (Australasia) Ltd.-This 5AD Adelaicle .. {Lic~ nce for 5AD held by Adverti~r "MU l\'' · B 'd Newspapers Ltd. (the Adelaide am- company has the following interests in commercial ;) 1.urray n · Q"e Ad t · ) 1 · l t l th 5PI Crystal Brook ·. _ ver 1·_ser ' "'. uc 1 co~ ro s e broadcasting stations:- ··S·'' "" t G b" eompames holdmg the hcences for " ,., 11:ioun am ier · · the other three stations. · (a) it holds the licences for 2AY Albury, 3BO ting Bendigo, 4CA Cairns and 4TO Townsville; N'cws Ltd. (the Adelaide News) owns Ltd. 2BH Broken Hill, has 3,405 ordi (b) it owns all the shares in the companies which nary and 2,000 preference shares ~8th operate 2GF Grafton and 2GN Goulburn, 2BH Broken Hill (in totals of 8,405 ordinary and tion 4,000 preference shares) in the and has a controlling interest ( 4,400 shares i5DN Adeln.ide 5RM Renmark company which holds the licence in a total of 5,000) in the company which for 5DK Adelaide, and 1,501 shares .t is operates 4WK Warwick; (in a total o1 8,176 shares) in the any company which holds the licence Aus ( c) by agreement with the licensee, it conducts the mer- for station 5RM Renmark. service of 2CH Sydney; West Australian New.spapers Ltd. ( d) it holds 800 shares (in a total of 6,500) in 6IX Perth .. r (the West Aiistralian, Perth) has aily 2SM Sydney; 400 shares (in a total of (}MD Merredin ·· i a half interest in W.A. Broad- lWS GWB Ka tanning .· casters Pty. Ltd., which controls 4,975) in 3HA Hamilton; and 5,500 shares 6BY Bridgetown · · stations 6IX Perth, 6WB Katan- wed (in a total of 11,000) in 7J,A Launceston; .· l ning, 6MD Merredin and 6BY for Bridgetown. ( e) it holds 1,000 preference shares (in totals of nis 6KY Perth .. {People's Printing and Publishing Go. nng 3,643 (£1) preference, 3,604 (£1) ordinary 6N A N arrogin . . of vVestern Australia Ltd. had and 14,000 ( 5s. ) ordinary shares) in iHO Hobart Davies Bros. Ltd. (the Hobart rnre Transcontinental Broadcasting Corporation Mercury ) hos a third interest in the Ltd., which controls 2KA Ltd., licensee of the station. 1ply 2KA Katoomba. OTHER NEWSPAPERS OWNING OR CONTROLLING' 43. Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation Pty. COMMERCIAL BROADCASTIKG STATIONS. Ltd., 8ydney, and Commonwealth Broadcr;rsting Cor 1tes poration (Queensland) Ltd., Brisbane.- The shares in 2AD Armidale The Armidale Newspaper Co. Ltd. l to ha.s a half interest and one of its these two companies are owned by the same interests. nnmim'E'R a casting vote on the the The former is the licensee of 2UW, Sydney, and the Board of Directors. )ill- latter, which is the licensee of 4BC Brisbane, has a Western Newspapers Ltd. (conduct controlling interest in 4GR Toowoomba (1,663 shares ing country newspapers in New rra in a total of 3,300), 4MB Maryborough (l,060 shares •Routh Wales) has 2,248 shares (in 1i total of 3,74i) in Lithgow .ion in a total of 2,000 shares) and 4RO Rockhampton 2LT Lithgow Broadcasters Pty. Ltd., which (holds the total shares- 2,000). Commonwealt~ 2LF Young . . holds the licence for 2LT Lithgow, Broadcasting Corporation (Queensland) Limited also and has 4,221 shares (in a total ~ng holds 1,000 ordinary shares in totals of 3,395 ordinary of 8,557 shares) in Young B·road mg an d 2,405 preference in 4SB K ingaroy. ca.sters Pty. Ltd., which holds the licence for 2LF Young. td., Findlays Pty. Ltd., Tasmania.- Findlays P ty. Ltd. 2LM Lismore Northern Star Ltd. holds 4,000 shares has a third interest in 7HO H obart, a quarter interest (in a total of 7,125 shares ) in in 7LA Launceston, hold all the shares in 7DY Derby, Richmond River Broadcasters Pty. Ltd., which holds the licence for and members of the Findlay family hold all the shares the station. in station 7AD Devonport and a controlling interest in ilBA Ballarat The Ballarat Courier Pty. Ltd. holds station 7BU Burnie ( 4,150 shares in a total of 4,270). l ,700 15hares (in a total of 2,000 Nicholsons Ltd., Perth.- Nicholsons Ltd. ho.Ids ~ha. re s ) in Ballarat Broadcasters Pty. Ltd., which holds the licence the licences for 6PR Perth, 6CI Collie and 6TZ Bunbury, for the station. an and has been authorized to establish a station in the 3GL Geelong The Geelong Advertiser Pty. Ltd. 'he Northern Wheat Belt. owns the station. 10
7EX Launceston W. R. Rolph and Sons Pty. Ltd. (the 49. There are also the following associations of J!J.ra,miner, Launceston) holds 1,800 IDE s]rn,res (in a total of 2,500 shares) stations or groups of stations in the same ownership in 7EX Pty. Ltd., which holds the which are described as networks, but their operation is bil licence for the ;:;tation. confined to one State:- nu wa The above particulars do not take into account share Victorian Broadcasting Network-Stations 3HA Hamilton, 3SH Swan Hill and 3TR Sale. of holdings of individuals or companies who are substan an, tial shareholders in both broadcasting and newspaper The Queensland Broadcasting Network-Stations re ~ companies. 4BC Brisbane, 4GR Toowoomba, 4MB Mary- · pr( borough, 41{0 Rockhampton and 48 B Kingaroy. ref The Advertiser Broadcasting Network-Stations NF:TWORKS Ole Co"Ml\IERCIAL BROADCASTING STATIONS. Ra 5AD Adelaide, 5MU Murray Bridge, 5PI 45. Section 6K ( 4.) of the Act empowers the Board Crystal Brook and 5SE Mount Gambier. "to regulate the establishment of networks of broad Whitford's Broadcasting Network-Stations 6PM rei: caning stations and the making of agreements or Perth, 6.AM Northam, 6GE Geraldton and 6KG my, arrangements by licensees of commercial broadcasting Kalgoorlie. tln statiom for the provision of programmes or the broad The Tasmanian Coastal Broadcasting Network Ra casting of advertisements". In addition, the licensee 4 I of each commercial broadcasting station is required to Stations 7AD Devonp ort, 7BU Burnie, 7DY Derby and 7QT Queenstown. 011 obtain the Board's consent before entering or becoming an a member of any network, by a condition of his licence, 50. In the Second Annual Report of the Board will Fn which reads as under:- be found some discu.ssion of the functions of networks vis: The licensee shall not, without the consent in writing of the of broadcasting stations and their significance in the A. Australian BroadcaBting Control Board, enter or become a Australian broadcasting structure. The Board is member of any network of broadcasting stations, or any other tar association or organization of broadcasting stations formed satisfied from its observations of existing networks that dra for the purpose of making Rrra.ngements for the provision of on the whole their activities are beneficial to listeners cas programmes or the hroacleasting of advertisements, or acquire, because they permit programmes to be produced on a seri by itself or any persons or «ompany on its behalf, any shares scale ·which could not be undertaken by an individual or other interest in any such network, a ssociation or as : organization. • licensre. The networks also facilitate the business arrangements of their members providing as they do The two principal networks in existence at present for the sale of time to advertisers on a joint basis by a are the Macquarie Broadcasting Network and the number of stations. It is, however, important in the Major Broadcasting Network. public interest that indiYidual stations should retain complete freedom to conduct their services in accordance 46. The Macquarie Broadcasting Network is a pro v\·ith the requirements of the Act, which place.s the prietary company ( Macquarie Broadcasting Service full responsibility for the conduct of each station on Pty. Ltd.), in which the following member stations the individual licensee, and it is therefore necessary 'I were .shareholders on 30th June, 1953 :,-- that a proper balance should be maintained between pro Jyf acquarie Broadcasting N etworlc. the intere.sts ·of the networks and their members in last New South Wales- VictoTia- order that the independence of the individual stations 2CA Canberra. 3AW Melbourne. should be preserved. Due regard is paid by the Board to these considerations in any matter involving the 5 2GB Sydney. South Australia- exercise of its powers under section 6K ( 4.) ( d) of the 2HR Lochinvar. 5DN Adelaide. Act to regulate the operation of networks. whc 2LF Young. Western Australia- Sep 2LT Lithgow. 6IX Perth. con: 2MW Murwillumbah. 6MD Merredin. AUSTRALIAN u NESOO COMMITTEE FOR RADIO. Act 2PK Parkes. 6WB K atanning. 51. The various Australian Unesco Committees were Queensland- 6BY Bridgetown. established to advise the Government on Australian policy in relation to the U nesco programme, to give 5 4BH Brisbane. Tasmania- advice and assistance on the execution of Unesco cert 4BU Bundaberg. 7HO Hobart. projects in Australia, to disseminate information about 4GY Gympie. 7LA Launceston. Unesco and it s activities and to carry out such other Con miscellaneous activities as advising on the composition refe Stations 2MG Mudgee and 3CV Mar,vborough were Par member stations but not shareholders. of Australian representation at conferences, meetings, seminars, &c., and on U nesco staffing. During the past that the 47. Macquarie B ~· oadcasting Service Pty. Ltd. has vear the Australian Unesco Committee for Radio has an arrangement ·with a number of other stations in participated in all these activities, meeting both before gra1 accordance with which they may co-operate with the the Seventh Session of the Unesco General Conference, forn network on agreed terms in the sale of station time for in order to advise on the briefing of the Australian to l new the broadcasting of Macquarie p:ogrammes. delegation, and after it, to consider possible Australian activities in line with the recommendations made by man 48. The Major Bl'oadcasting Network is not a com thnt Conference. Members of the Committee (repre the pany, but is an asrnciation of stations of which the Rcntatives of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, the following were members on 30th June, 1953 :- the Australian Federation of Commercial Broadcasting Boa New South Wales- Victoria- Stations, the Musicians' Union, Actors' and Announcers' l egi~ E quity, and the P rofessional Radio Employees' Insti to tl 2K O Newcastle. 3DB Melbourne. full, 2UE Sydney. 3LK Lubeck. tute and the Board) felt more closely associated than usual with the proceedings of the important Seventh und~ 2GZ Orange. Western Australia- Session- during which the Director-General of Unesco Queensland- 6CI Collie. resigned- by reason of the fact that the leader of the 4AK Oakey. 6PR P erth. Australian delegation was Mr. C. J . A. Moses, General 4BK Brisbane. 6TZ Bunbury. 5£ Manager of the Australian Broadcasting Commission. the South Australia- Tasmania- Mr. Moses's account of the Conference, on his return, Mar 5AD Adelaide. 7EX Launceston. was reoeived with great interest by the Committee. As the 5MU Murray Bridge. 7HT Hobart. this General Conference of U nesco is, in future, to be a econ 5PI Crystal Brook. biennial event, the Committee was faced at its second Ann 5SE Mount Gambier. meeting, with the task of planning Austr~lian activities ------
11
I of for two years ahead. Among the recommendations it Government had felt obliged to review its policy in ship made was that members should investigate the possi many matters, including television, because of the ·n is bility of providing the Secretariat with recorded very drastic change which had taken place in the material for use in Unesco Radio productions. Advice Australian economy as a result primarily 'Of alterations HA was giYen to Unesco upon the proposed establishment in the balance of overseas payments. In this con of a world documentation centre on school broadcasts nexion, the Government, while recognizing that the and on various aspects of possible U nesco action with introduction of television could confer many benefits ions regard to television. It has been agreed that Unesco on the community, was obliged to pay due regard to ary programme items relating to television should be many projec:ts possessing a higher priority than roy. referred to a joint meeting of the Committee for television, notably those relating to defence, and also ions Radio and Films. to the overall economic situation. The Government had 5PI accordingly reached the conclusion that, although it 52. The principal Unesco publications since the last was anxious that television services should be pro PM report of the Board were the fifth (and final) U nesco vided for the people of the Commonwealth as soon as KG report on the facilities of Mass Communication possible, the time was inopportune to embark upon tbroughout the world (a volume entitled Press, Film, the introduction of television. The Minister empha ·k Radio, V., 1951); Unesco Clearing House Series No. sized that this decision was reached by the Government DY 4 (an annotated bibliography of Unesco publications with considerable reluctance and that it should not be on Mass Communic·ation) and No. 5 (an account of taken as indicating that the establishment of television an experiment in community television reception in senices in this country had been deferred indefinitely. will French villages) ; and the Unesco publication Tele On the contrary, he said, the question would be kept n·ks vision and Education in the United States by Charles under constant review, as it was the desire of the the A. Siepmann. The radio division of the U nesco Secre Government that the services should be commenced as 18 tariat, which recorded the series of eight quarter-hour soon as circumstances permitted. ;hat dramatized features used by some 30 Australian broad iers casting stations last year, has now produced a similiar 56. Further consideration was given to the matter n a series of thirteen programmes. The titles of these are by the Government on 16th January, 1953, when it lual as follows :- decided- leSS This Atomic Age; Change Without Tears; Music ( a) to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate do Festival; Ba-cledoor Travelogue; Sthoolbells in various aspects of the use of television, ya with particular reference to the number 0£ the the Desert; The Search for Power; Ages Not So stations which can be effectively estab ;a1n Dark; The Music Makers; The Tower of Babel; lished, in what localities and on what con nee Song of Siam; The Twa1'.n Shall Meet; Science ditions, and the means of securing proper the programmes ; and on and Food; and Students Abroad. ary The Committee has taken action to secure for these (b) to introduce legislation to permit of the ·een programmes an even wider usage than was the case licensing of commercial television stations in last year. as well as the operation of national tele ons vision stations. ard STATE BROADCASTING ADVISORY COMMITTEES. the 53. The State Broadcasting Advisory Committees, RoYAL CoMMISSION ON TELEVISION. the whose previous term of appointment expired on 30th 57. The Royal Commission, which was appointed by September, 1950, have not since been reconstituted in Letters Patent dated 11th February, 1953, is required conformity with the provision of section 6Q of the by its terms of reference- Act. ·ere To inquire into arnl r.eport upon- ( a.) the number of· national and commercial television ian DEFAMATION BY MEANS OF BROADCASTING. stati01rn which can effectively be established and ~rve G4. In the Fourth Annual Report the Board set out operated having regard to the financial and lSCO certain of the recommendations made by the English economic considerations involved and the avail out Committee on the Law of Defamation (Cmd. 7536) and ahility of suitable programmes; her referred to legislation subsequently passed by the ( b) the areas which might be served by televisfon ion stations and the stages bv which they should be Parliament of the United Kingdom, which provided established; • Lgs, that for the purposes of the law of libel and slander, .ast (o) t he conditions which should apply to the establish· the broadcasting of words by means of wireless tele ment of tele1'ision stations ; has graphy shall be treated as publications in permanent ore ( cl) the standards to be observed in the programmes of form. The legislation provided also for the extension national an Members- re"ulation of both national and comm€rcial television Mr. Robert Gumley Osborne, Chairman of the se~vices. The principal provisions of the Act (which is Australian Broadcasting Control Board. cited as the T elevision Act 1953) are- Mr. Colin Blore Bednall, Managing Editor of ( a) that the Postmaster-General may make tele vision stations available for the trans the Courier-Mail, Brisbane. mission of national television programmes Hon. Robert Christian Wilson, M.L.C., New by the Australian Broadcasting Commis South Wales, Member of the Council of the sion or some other authority empowered to Graziers' Association of New South Wales. provide such programmes; Mr. Norman Smith Young, Public Accountant, (b) that the Minister may grant licences for Adelaide, formerly President of the Common commercial television stations; and wealth Institute of Accountants. ( c) that the Minister shall, before exercising his Mrs. Maud Foxton, State President of the power to grant any such licence, take into Country Women's Association, Western Aus consideration any recommendat10ns made tralia. by the Board as to the exercise of that power. 58. At the request of the Royal Commission, made soon after its appointment, the Board supplied to it comprehensive statements relating to- PART III.- TEOHNICAL SERVICES. ( a) de-cisions . of Commonwealth Governments in 60. Section 6K of the Act requires the Board to connexion with television; " ensure the provision of services by broadcasting (b) the organization of broadcasting in Australia; stations television stations, and facsimile stations, and (c) the organization of broadcasting in Great services' of a like kind, in accordance with plans from Britain; time to time prepared by the Board and approved by ( d) the television services in Great Britain; the Minister ". ( e) the organization of broadcasting in Canada; 61. As the Board has mentioned in previous reports, Cf) the television services in Canada; the provision of adequate services in a co~nt:y l~ke ( g) the broadcasting organization in the United Australia with its large area and uneven distribut10n States of America; of popul~tion presents many difficulties. As wi~l be ( h) the television services in the Unitoo States of seen from Appendices "A" and "B" 44 nat10:ial America; and 105 commercial medium frequency broadcastrng ( i) the Australian television standards. and tele stations have already been established and the map vision frequency channel reservat10ns. which follows Appendix "E " shows that th€se have been distributed widely throughout the more densely Subsequently, at the request of the ~~yal Com;riis populated parts of the Commonwealth.. There ~re, sion evidence on various aspects of television was given however still many areas with substantial populat10n to the Royal Commission by the Direct~r of Tec.hnical where the service available to numerous listeners leave~ Services (Mr. D. McDonald), the Assistant Director much to be desired. During the year, representations (Mr. A. J. McKenzie) and the Assistant Sec:etary were made to the Minister and to the Board by mem (Television) (Mr. J. M. Donovan), and evidence bers of Parliament, local governing bodies, progress relating to various aspects of the Australian broad associations and similar organizations, urging that an casting services was given by the Secretary (Mr. J. improved s~rvice should be provided for their dis tr ~cts, oJ O'Kelly) and the Director of Programme Services and the Board is fully convrnced from the observat10ns li (Mr. D. A. Jose). The Board also made the servi.ces of its members and officers, during the course of official t} of Mr. Donovan available to the Royal Commission, visits to many of the areas -0f indifferent service, that be as desired and arranged for the pr€paration ·by the in a considerable number of instances the complaints Board's librarian (Miss I. Eastwood) of a bibliography which have been made are fully justified. Details of for incorporation in the report of the Royal Commis the Board's plans for effecting improvements were sion. The Commission had not presented its report at contained in previous reports, and in the following the time this report was being prepared. paragraphs ~f this report particu~ar~ are give11; of the progress which has been made rn implementrng 1he THE TELEVISION ACT 1953. Board's proposals for the development of the N atio1ial and Commercial Broadcasting ServiceR. Reference 59. In accordance with the decision of the Govern wi11 also be made in this Part to technical questions ment which is recorded in paragraph 56, a bill relating associated with the question of the introduction of to the provision of television services was introduced television services into the Commonwealth. into the House of Representatives on 18th February, 1953, and was subsequently passed. In the course of PLANS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL his second-reading speech on the Bill, the Postmaster BROADCASTING SERVICE. General (Honorable H. L. Anthony, M.P .) stated that 62. In preparing its plans for the development of it was an interim measure, the main purposes of which the National Broadcasting Service, the objective of were- the Board was- (a) to provide statutory authority for the estab ( a) to extend the coverage of the medium fre lishment of television services in the quency national stations so as to provide Commonwealth; and satisfactory day and night reception of at (b) to endorse the general principle that tele- least one such station for listeners through vision should be developed in the Common out the Commonwealth, except those in the wealth on the same fundamental basis as distant isolated areas for whom trans had been so remarkably successful rn missions are provided in the short wave respect of sound broadcasting. (high frequency) bands ; The Minister also referred to the appointment of the (b) to enable the great majority of listeners, who Royal Commission on Television and said that the are outside the primary coverage -0f the two Government would, in due course, give Parliament an national stations in each of the capital cities opportunity to discuss its detailed plans for the and Newcastle, to obtain from medium 13 on frequency stations satisfactory night time PROPOSED INCREASES IN POWER TO 50,000 WATTS. lS reception of alternative programmes of the Powt'r Australian Broadcasting Commission; (watts). New FJ1nith 1Va/es--- (c) to provide a higher signal to noise ratio in le 2CR Cumnock from 10,000 Ls order to ensure a better service for 2NR Grafton 7,000 tes listeners, particularly in industrial areas, 2BL Sydney 10,000 2FC Sydney lS where interference from electrical equip " 10,000 to ment is prevalent a11d also in the large Viotoria--- areas of the Commonwealth which are 3WV Dooen " 10,000 3AH :Melbourne " 10,000 or subject to high atmospheric noise levels 3LO Melbourne " 10,000 during summer months; (,}ueenslmid- 4.QH Brisbane 11S (d) to protect the service to Australian listeners " 10,000 4QN Townsville " 2,000 tto against interference from very high So·uth Aiistralia- .de powered stations which are being erected 5CL Adelaide 5,000 1at in neigbouring countries. As was stated in H',estern Australia-- the Board's Fourth Annual Report, the GWF Perth 5,000 need to prote-ct Australian listeners against HWA Wagin " 10,000 interference from very high powered PHOPOSJW INCHEASES IN POWER TO stations in neighbouring countries has been 10,000 WATTS, emphasized by developments in southern Pow<·r to (watts). ng Asia and the region north of Australia, Ne·w Soitth l17ctles- .nd where according to the latest available 2CO Corowa from 7,500 information, the number of stations 2NA Newcastle 2,000 Dill 2NC Newcastle by operating or planned for operation on 2,000 50,000 watts or greater is as under:- Victoria.- " 3GI Sale 7,000 Stations with power of 150,000 watts 6 Queensland- :ts, Stations with power of 100,000 watts- 22 4QL Longreaeh 200 ike Stations with power of 50,000 watts 10 4QB Piabia 2,000 LOll In addition, two New Zealand stations 4RK Rockharnpton 2,000 be operate -on 60,000 watts. The general trend South Australia--- nal 5AN Adelaicfo 2,000 towards the use of higher power increases Western Australia .ng the possibility of interference from over 1ap G\VN Perth 6,000 seas stations to Australian services, particu 'Pa-smania- " 1ve larly in those areas in which listeners, 7ZL Hobart 2,000 ely because of their great distance from local 7ZR Hobart 500 ire, 7NT Kelso stations, must rely on oomparatively weak " 7,000 ton signals. The increase in the power of PROPOSED INCREASES IN POWER TO ve~ Australian stations, which is part of the 2,000 WATTS. DUS Power Board's plan, will do much to minimize thi& (watts) . !Ill- interference. i>DR Dar-win from 200 ·ess !JPA Port Moresby 500 an 63. The complete plan provided, with the approval During the past year, two of the proposed new stations cts, of the Minister as required by the Act, for the estab commenced operations, namely, 2CN Canberra on 21st ons lishment of seventeen new stations and an increase in J annary, 1953, and 4SO Southport on 11th October ~ial the operating power of the 26 transmitters listed 1952. With the addition of stations 2CN and 480: hat below:- the National Broadcasting Service was on 30th June .nts PROPOSED ~EW REGIONAL STATIONS. 1?53, b~ing provided by 44 medium fr~quency station~ of ( mdudmg 9PA Port Moresby) and nine short wave ·ere l'i·oposecl location. Power (watts). stations, particulars of which are contained in Ap ing X euJ South Wa.les 1i•Hl A.1tsfrnlia.n Capital pendix B. the T~rritori;- 1he Rega 10,000 64. The implementation of the Board's plans is a Glen Innes 10,000 project of considerable magnitude and it will involve 1Jal 8mithtown 10,000 the expenditure of a great deal of money. Whilst the nee Canberra 2,000 ons W oil ongong 2,000 Board is responsible for the preparation of the plans of 801.t.ih Australia for the dev_elo~ment -of the National Service, including Penola 2,000 the determmat10n of the frequency, power and situation Renmark 2,000 of each station, it is the function of the Postmaster L General's Department, under the Act, to construct the PROPOSED NEW LO\V-POvVER STATIONS. new stations which are proposed and to install the Proposea locn tion. Power equipment required to increase the power of existing of (watts). Xeiv South Wales- stations. The acquisition of land required for new of Armidale 100 stations is the responsibility of the Department of the Mnrwillurnbah 200 Interior and the erection of the required buildings the fre Victo?"iar-- responsibility of the Department of Works. The Board ride Bendigo 200 Warrnambool feels that it is desirable to keep under constant review ~ at 200 Qucensland- the progress being made by these departments so as to tgh Southport ensure the smooth progress of the proposals generally. the 200 South Anstrn.lia,- For this reason, a standing committee consisting of ms- Mount Gambier 200 representatives of all the organizations mentioned has ·ave W'oomera 100 been established and it meets regularly to review the W estern Aitstralia progress which is being made. The Australian Broad who Albany 400 casting Commission is also represented on the Com two Northam 200 mittee in order that the Commission's views may be !ties 'l'as1nania--- adequately expressed on such aspects of the proposals Queenstown [um 200 as relate to the functions of the Commission. 14 65. The Board regrets to report that it has been One station using 500 watts at night to use 1,000 CXlS found impracticable for various reasons to 3:dher,e to watts during daylight hours. bro: the original programme of works and that, In c?nse Details of power increases authorized bJ the Boar~ for citi1 auence much desired improvements to the National shared channel stations are contained m Appendix C. the Servic~ will. not be effected as soon as had been 67. At the time this report was being prepared, 50 anticipated. Difficulties have been encountered in the of the 63 stations referred to in the precedmg p~ra acquisition of sites, unavoidab~e delays h.av~ occurred graph were operating ?n the higher power authonzed in connexion with the erection of bmldmgs, and, by the Board, and considerable progr~s~ had ~een made because of the economic situation in 1952, the avail by the licensee~ of mo.st of_ the remammg thuteen st~~ able funds have been limited, and restrictions have been tions with theu plans to mcreas,e the pow~r o_f then imposed on the employment of the additional staff transmitters. As the Board pomted out m its last required for the technical work to be undertaken, 6[ report the oTeat majority of the licensees concerned me Nevertheless, although it is possible to report the esta·b have had incur expenditure of several thousand lishment during the past year o.f only the two new t~ Of I pound.s on the pu~chase of :1ew equipment and ~an;Y of stations mentioned in paragraph 63, many other wo~ks thes1 them had to acqmre new sites and ere?t new b,mldmgs. are in various stages of progress and some are nearing fact• It is greatly to their credit that, noh:ithstandmg_ these completion. For example, 5WM W oomera com.menced time high costs, they have wel~omed tlns opportumty to operations in September,. 1953, :ind. 2KP Smithtown stati is expected to commence its service m January, 1954. improve their services to listener~ and complet~d the re mi A new 580 feet anti-fading radiator for 6WF and 6WN task with .so little delay. There is abundant evidence abov Perth in expected to be completed before the end of that as a result of their efforts, listeners in the areas mag: 1953. The Board hopes that the members of the 5 erv~d by stations already operatinl? on higher power, appl are enjoying much improved reception, ~nd the _exte~1t Standing Committee wi~l continue to n;ake every effort Mori to expedite the completion of the particular aspects of of the improvement in the commercial service m ware the general plan for which their respective organiza country districts as a whole may be gauged from the a re tions are responsible. fact that- . m.an' (a) instead of 37 such stations oper~ting with whi~ PLANS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMERCIAL power below 500 watts, there will be only fring BROADCASTING SERVICE. one such station (and in that c as~ !he in tl lower power is due solely to. a restrrnt10n relia Increased Power for Country Stations on Shared caused by the agreement with the New Channels. provi Zealand Administration which is referred rely 66. The Fourth Annual Report of the Board (para to in paragraph 83); gram graphs 61-68) contained particulars of the action (b) instead of four stations operating with 1,000 which had been taken by the Board, as the first stage watts there will be 24 using that power and 70. in its plans for the developmen! of the Comn;ercia1 an a'dditional station using 1,000 watts para! Broaclca.sting Service, to effect impr ovements m the during daylight hours; . natio: service available to listeners in many rural areas by ( c) instead of four shared channel stations statio increasino· the power of commercial stations operating (located in Western Australia) operating cases on shared channels. Prior to 30th June, 1952, formal with 2,000 watts, there " '.ill be 29 such tions determinations had been made increasing the po.wer of stations, and 11 others usmg 2,000 watts Boan 59 of the 103 commercial stations then in operation during daylight hours. by tb and during the past year the po":er of four additioni:l The use of higher power improves reception for Newc stations on shared channels was mcreased. The posi they i tion now is that increased power has been authorized listeners because it enables a stronger signal to be laid down within the service area of a station and, to some which for 63 stations to the extent indicated hereunder, and thoro1 extent, it enlarges the coverage of t.he statioi;., althou~h that, in addition, twelve of these stations are permitted this c to use higher power during daylight hours:- in the case of shared channel stations the mcrease m coverage is limited to daylight hours. The benefits of its Number of statioi stations. which have been conferred on listeners by the power From 100 watts to 500 watts 2 increases mentioned above have, however, been greatly has fr 200 500 8 enhanced by the fact that at most of the stations con to OpE 300 500 3 vidin2 100 " 1,000 2 cerned new equipment conforming with the Board's otheru 200 " 1,000 9 techni~al standards has been installed and in many 300 " 1,000 ,, 2 cases more efficient radiators have been erected. The this C< 500 " 1,000 11 Board has no precise information as to the total cost (1 100 " 2,000 1 200 " 2,000 7 of these improvements but it is estimated to be some 300 " 2,000 3 hundreds of thousands of pounds. 500 " 2,000 11 1,000 " 2,000 4 Increased Power for Commercial Stations in Capital The Board, in determining the power increases, pro Cities and Newcastle. ceeded in accordance with provisional standards for 68. During the year, the Board also made consider power and frequency allocations under which protec able progress with the second stage of its plans for (l tion against co-channel interference is afforded to the developing the Commercial Broadcasting Servi:e, 2.5 millivolt/metre contour. Go-channel interference which is directed to improving the grade of service is evident only during hours of darkness, and generally available to listeners from commercial broadcasting it is practicable to permit higher power during day stations in the capital cities and Newcastle. This is a light hours without causing interference with recep matter of great importance, as these stations serve tion of other stations. The Board has advised licensees approximately 65 per cent. ·Of the total population of that it will consider applications for the use of higher the Commonwealth, who reside in the metropolitan power dming daylight hours, and, as mentioned above, areas and Newcastle, and many thousands of additional has authorized twelve stations to operate under these conditions as follows :- listeners who live in adjacent country districts. The Board's investigations have discLosed that the grade The B Ten stations using 1,000 watts at night to use of technical service being provided by these stations would : 2,000 watts during daylight hours. leaves much to be desired, due to the low power on statiom One station using 500 watts at night to use 2,000 which they have in the past been required to operate advantE watts during daylight hours. and also, in some cases, to inefficient equipment. The the cha 15 000 existing ceiling for operating power of commercial 71. Provision was made in the frequency list pre broadcasting stations is 2,000 watts, but in the capital pared at the Geneva conference (referred to in pa:a for cities and Newcastle, the power has been restricted to graph 82) and in the agreement between the Australian c. the following levels :- and New Zealand Administration (see paragraph 83) Watts. for the use of substantially higher power by Australian 50 Sydney 1,000 stations on the frequencies occupied by the capital city tr a ~folbourne !lOO stations and the technical problems associated with .zed Brisbane 1,000 Adelaide 500 propos~ls to increase the power of these stations are ade Perth 500 not so acute 'as those associated with the power of sta H~arl 500 shared channel stations. There are, however, some ieir Newcastle 500 involved economic factors which have to be considered last 69. In the opinion of the Board, the power allot~ed in relation to this question because of the necessity ned in each case was quite inadequate to ensure the quality for maintaining the stability of the Commercial Broad and of reception which the great populations served by casting Service as a whole. During the past year, the y of these statio11S are entitled to expect, and this unsatis Board had several discussions with the licensees of the rrgs. factory state of affairs hll:s been aggravated in rece.nt stations concerned and subsequently determined, with 1ese times ·by the fact that, whilst the power of commercial the concurrence of the Minister, that the operating · to stations in the capital cities and Newcastle has power of commercial broadcasting stations in Brisbane, the remained for several years at the low levels outlined Adelaide, Perth and N ewcastle should be increased to mce above, the intensity of electrical noise has b_een 2,000 watts as from a date to be fixed. Finality had eeas magnified by the greatly increased use of electrical not been reached in respect of commercial stations in .ver, appliances for industrial and commercial purposes . Sydney and Melbourne (except in the case of stati?n tent Moreover, there has been, since the war, a rapid out 3AK which operates on a shared channel under special 111 ward expansion of the capital cities and Newcastle as conditions as to hours of service) at the time this the a result of the erection of thousands . of homes and report was being prepared. Further details are given many factories in new districts, in consequence of hereunder of the present position in respect of each of .vith which there are now many thousands of listeners on the the capital cities and Newcastle. )nly fringe of the service area of the commercial stations H obart.-Stations 7HO and 7HT Hobart operate on the in those cities who are not assured of consistently tion shared channels and their power was reviewed in con reliable reception. An indifferent service is also being junction with that of the other shared channel stations ~ew provide AusTHALIAN BROADCASTING ation, this would cause great confusion both to the broad CoMMISSIOl~-REQUEST Fol~ ADDITIONAL PROGRAl'lll'IIE CHANNELS. Jrvice casters and listeners without providing any worth icient while benefits. It has also been suggested that no 78. In its Fourth Annual Report, the Board drew oTeat harm would result from a lowering of the r this attention to the views which h ave been expressed by governing the allocation of power and fre iports ~tandarcls the ;\nstra lian Droadcasting Commission concerning istent quency , of sharing stations and, in support of this vi~w, the desirability of an additional network of national conditions in the United States which, although usmg nd to L>waclcasting stations being establisl:ied, through whi?h the same band of freauencies has licensed over 2,300 Lrable the Commission could transmit a third programme, m stations, arc quoted a~ an example of what might be con- ~d and at the present time there _are i~ine short _wave 3,200- 3,400 kilocycles per Restrict ed to use in tropical stations, details of which are given rn Appel\d1x B. S"econd regions, which for Australia under the International Tele· The frequencies used for the short wave service are communications Convention S4. capable of reception over long distances_, but a~ th ~ covers the region north of Hoare bands of frequencies reserved under the Internat1011a1 latitude 3;'i degrees S'outh. repor1 Hadio Regulations for high frequen<;y broadcas~ing a~· c 4,730- 4,!HJ,) ki;ocyck, per Restrictecl to use in tropical in cur very congested, it is necessary, as was explam~d m second i·eo·ions, which for Am;tralia withi1 the Board's .Fourth Annual Heport, to reach mter m~der tlrn International Tele ment communications Conveution national a<"reement for their co-ordinated use if a covers the region i10rth of yet b reliable se11:'vice is to be assured. T he International latit ude 35 degrees s·outh. of urn _Frequency Registration . Board ~t Geneva (the ii,005- 5,0·UO kilocycles pe-r Restrictecl to use in trnpical tLe fa l.F.KB.) has for a considerable ti.nm been e1.1gage~ second regions, which for Austra'ia 11ther on the preparation of a p_lan for. t~e allocat10n of under the International Tele· 13 lllC high frequencies to all nat1011s. desirmg_ to use them communications Convention covers the region north of in irn and full particulars of Australian requirements have latitude 35 degrees south. ]eye] i been furnished by the Board to the I.F.RB. 3,900- 4,000 kilocycles per High frequency band. hP re< second :ire nc 81. During the past year, the !.F.R.B. ex~mined all 5,!},)0- tl,:wo kilocycles per High frequeucy band, worhl· of me the data submitted by the vanous countnes of the second wide u ;;e. ing f; world and found that the additional demands of a ,\t1str 7,150-- 7,300 kilocycles per High frequency band for \1·~r l d· comp~ratfrely few com1tries _had ma~e its task of ,;econd wicfo use, except for Amencan of tir assigning channels to the various nat10ns even _more region. \\'OUld difficult tlian it had appeared to the Extraordinary !l,£iOO~ D,77•> kilocycles per High frequency haml, worlll· freqU( Administrative Radio Uonference held at Geneva in tteconcl wide use. rng s· 1()51. The I.F.R.13_. was therefore forced to the 11,700-11,IJ/ii kilocycles per High frequency b0and, world· power conclusion that the additional allocations which had s-econd wide use. be lo· been requested could be arrang~d only by an parag 1;111- 15,100- 15,430 kilocycles per High frequency band, world- desirable degradation of the techmcal standards wluch s-ecrrnd \1·itle use. The J, had been 'l:onsidered necessary. As a result, the restric 17 ,700- 17 ,IJOO kilocycles per High frequency band, world· ?ta tio: I.F.R.B. h as asked all nations to reconsider their second wide use. requirements, and to reduce them as far as prac which ticable. The Board has reviewed the matter but it 21,450-21,730 kilocycks pe.r High frequency lianlI, world· very l second wide use. feels that Australian requirements cannot be reduced alloca without curtailing the domestic short wave services 23,G00-2G, 100 kilocycles per High frequency liand, world· seque1 1d1ich are at present being pro1·i 19 .cal L]ia VERY HIGH FREQUENCY BROADCASTING. facilitate arrangements for much desired improve ~ le ments in, and the expansion of, the existing broadcast ion 84. It will be apparent from the views which the of Bottrd has ex.pressed in paragraphs 73-75 of this ing services. The Board does not consider that the report that serious difficulties are being experienced introduction of V.H.F. broadcasting should be delayed .cal in connexion with the allocation of frequency channels because of the advent of television services, as clia within the medium frequency band for the establish experience overseas indicates that sound broadcasting "le ment of additional stations in areas which are not continues to provide an extensive service after ·the ion commencement of television. In any case, there appears of yet being adequately served, and that the coverage of many important stations is restricted by virtue of to be great scope for V.H.F. stations in parts of the Commonwealth where television services are not likely cal tLe fact that they are required to share channels with ~1ia (/ther stations. The population of the Commonwealth to be provided for some years. Another factor o'f "le is increasing rapidly and, with industrial expansion considerable importance is that the introduction of ion V.H.F. broadcasting simultaneously with, or prior to, of in many country areas, an appreciable rise in noise lm·el is to be expected. New stations will, as a result, the commencement of television services would be required in the future in many areas where they encourage the development of television receivers ~re not 1contemplated at the present time. The shortagt~ capable of receiving V.H.F. programmes during periods when only sound broadcasting will be available. ·]J- of medium frequencies has indeed been a serious limit ing factor on the Board's plans for developing the 8 7. Experimental trans1111ss10ns were continued ·]d ,\nstralian broadcasting services and with the passage during the year on very high frequency broadcasting of time the position will become more serious. It ~a u transmitters established in Sydney, Perth and Adelaide would be technically practicable to allocate medium and a new V.I-LF. experimental station has commenced ·Jd- frequencies for many additional stations if the exist operations in Brisbane. There has been some criticism ing standards for the allocation of frequencies and of the expense involved in the continued operation of ·]cl- power to stations operating on shared channels ·Were to these stations, but both the Board and the Post Office, be lowered, but as h as already been mentioned in which ha.-e collaborated in the tests, are satisfied that paragraph 75, this ·course is considered undesirable. ·Id- they have been fully j ustifie Administrations have accepted the disc recording stan as to facilitate the ultimate introduction of colour dards and sixteen the tape recording standards. The television into the Commonwealth, if it should be proposed standards will be submitted by the Study thought desirable to do so. Group to the 0.0.I.R. plenary meeting to be held in London in September, 1953, at which the• Board will Television R eceiver Intermediate Freqiieneies. be represented by its Directoi· of Technical Services 92. Reference has been made in previous reports of The (Mr. D. McDonald). the Board to the need for determining standard inter mon mediate frequencies for television receivers and it was pres TELEVISION. indicated that a selection in the 30 to 40 J'.,1.c/ s. band are 90. Tho Board is obliged by section 6K of the was proposed after consulta tion with the manufac Fcd1 Broadcasting Act 1942-1953 to ensme "the provision turers. Tho choice of the standard intermediate fre Stat of services by ... television stations ... in accordance quencies is obviously a matter which calls for close worl with plans from time to time prepared by the Board co-o])eratio11 between the Board and the manufacturers lS ~ and approved by the Minister" and to ensure that "the and ·if, after the genentl policy in respect of television seas, technical equipment and operation of such stations are has bee11 determined, it is found necessary to make a ObPC' in accordance with such standards and practices as major change in the proposed intermediate frequencies, of ' the Board considers to be appropriate ". Prior to the the Board will again confer with the manufacturers on evid appointment of the Royal Commission on Television this important matter. ,-an as so (referred to in paragraph 57) the Board had, in C olmlr 'l' elevision. pursuance of these provisions of the Act, done a con are siderable amount of technical work in preparation for D3 . The television services in the United States of sud the introduction of television services. Although the America are at present transmitted in black and Government's policy in respect of television will not white but in October, 1950, the Federal Communica he announced until it has considered the report of the tions Commission of the United States promulgated RoYAL OoIILMISSION, the Board has continued with this standanls for a colour television system developed by· work, the results of which will prove useful irrespective the Columbia Broadcasting System. This action was of the mamier in which the Government decides that the subject of sharp controversy and doubts were fe~it in television is to introduced. In particular, a great expressed as to the prospects of success of the system, te beer 21 )lOUl' (b) field strength recordings of distance medium PAHT IV.-PROGHAMME SERVICES. i be frequency stations, the purpose of which is GEI;rERAL CONSIDERATIONS. to secure data in connexion with the sharing of channels by stations. 9'7. The Board's responsibilities in relation to broad cast prngramn~es are described in general terms in ·ts of The latte1· work has been pro2eeding for only a fow section 6K (1.) of the Act as an obligation to ensure .nter months, but indications are that field strengths at the that adequate and ·comprehensive programmes are ; was present low period in the ele\·en-year sunspot cycle providd by broadcasting stations "to ·serve the best band are somewhat higher than the median curves of the interests of the general public ". The primary respon ufac- Federal Communications Commission of the United sibility .for tho production of programmes rests with 1 fre States which have been used extensively. Similar the Australian Broadcasting Commission and the close work is being carried out to determine vv- hether there licensees of commer·cial broadcasting stations and urers is mw variation in daylight field ,str,engths with section 6K ( 2.) of the Act provides that in the exercis':l r1s10n seasonal conditions. Effects of thic;; nature have been of this function the Board shall consult the Commis 1ke a Ohc'.erved overseas, but SO far thrre bas i;een 110 evidence sion :cmd representatives of the licensees of commercial ncies, of variations of a similar extent in Australia. The broadcasti11g stations in relation to the programmes rs on evidence obtained so far does not disclose any large of the National and Commer·cial Broadcasting Services variations in daylight field strengths, and this may be rnspectively. The Board is directly concerned with associated with climatic conditions in ~ii ustralia which the programmes of the commercial broadcasting are more even than those in less temperate countries stations because licensees are obliged to provide pro .es of such as those in northern Europe. grammes " in such manner as to ensure as far as and practic!'hle " that they are "to the satisfaction of m1ca the Board". The Commission on the other hand is gated ::'il.Lmr:.r FREQUEXCY DmzcTIOKAL AERIALS. required by the Act, to "take in the interests of the od by · conrn~m1it;y: ~11 such measu~·es as, in t~e _op i_:iion of l was Di!. For some years, directional aerials ltave been a tho Com1c1Jss10n. arc vonclucrre t" tlie In] . evo 'ODP1ent were fe ature of medium frequency brcadcasting practice of suitable broad:castinp; programmes" for trans-11ission ·stem, in the United States of America, whern they hav'~ from the national stations. with been employed to reduce radiation in the direction ;rans of co-channel stations in order to reduce interference. 98. Tt is the practice of the Commission to include oivers The :field strength of a station employing a directio:rnl in its annual report each year an extensive account ~t ures aerial is, of course, reduced in a portion of its service and a detailed analysis of the programmes which it tction area, 1mt in many cases the population in the area has presented over the national stations. These details d by so a:ffeded is small. Directional aerials have not 'iive a general indication of the high quality and the :i the so far been employed in Australia, _but during the year comprehensiYe nature of the service provided by the i?ugh consider ation has been given to the possibility of thei1· Commission and some idea of its scope may be obtained ~ 1vers use bv shared channel stations in the eastern States. frcm the following s1m1mary in respect of stations 2FC mical In this way it may be practicable to improve the ar:. individual stations, by consultations. with the Aus reside, listeners are in a pos1t10n to receive the pro dura tralian Broadcasting Oommi8'Sion and the Liaison Com grammes of two national and a number of commercial .Faci mittee of the Australian Federation of Commercial stations, ranging from two in Hobart to six in Sydney. able Broadcasting Stations, by extensive observations of Generally speaking, therefore, listeners haYe a eboice lllll1l1 programmes and by the inspection of 41 commercial of programmes and are assured of "reasonable the ~ stations by officers of the Programme Services Division. rnricty" at most times of the day. In its Fourth Annual were 99. As mentioned in paragraph 97, the Board's H.cport the Board drew attention to complaints that char. general responsibility is to ensure that adequate ·and there were still occasions when a number of stations than comprehensive programmes are provided "to serve the in the same locality simultaneously broadcast the same mere best interests of the general public". On the evidence type of programmes, generally a sporting programme. of tl gathered by it during the year, the Board feels that The matter is under constant review and the Board has relig the programmes being provided at the present time noted some improvement during the past year: for matt by both the National and Commercial Services may, on example, a Melbourne station which had previously the whole, be said to meet with the requirements of undertaken extensi rn racing broadcasts has provided Parliament. So far as the Commercial .Service is an uninterrupted description of football throughout the winter, a service which was much appreciated by .Mel concerned, there is undoubtedly room for improvement 10 bourne listeners. The Board is pursuing this matter in many directions, to some of which attention will be "to because there are still some notable cases of overlapping invited in succeeding paragraphs, but in the opinion basi1 which, in the opinion of the Board, are not in the public of the Board, the broadcasters are meeting with success matt interest. One case in particular which calls for atten in their efforts to satisfy the wide divergence of tastes to tion is the broadcasting by five stations in Sydney every t of the great audience of the general public. As has sec ti Monday night .of descriptions of boxing contests, been previously pointed out in the Board's reports, n11ss irrespective of the calibre of the contestants. the task of devising and presenting programmes of fit f, sufficient quality and variety over the lengthy periods matt 102. There is still a noticeable lack of originality during which broadcasting stations are e:icpected to Rep< in the approach of many licensees to the deVE•lopment be in operation is one of very con8iderable difficulty. ensu of new programmes and the tendency to imitate pro The commercial stations h ave special problems arising the J grammes of other stations has during the year under from the economic basis of the service, which is on tl review produced a sameness in certain types of sessions, revenue derived from advertising. It wiU therefore of p< the effect of which is to limit the choice of programmes be appreciated that judgments on the overall per rnelll for listeners. One development of this character is formance of commercial broadcasting stations and the tiorn quality of their programmes must be made in the lig~1t the extension to so many programmes of " give away " a 11 E awards or prizes, a practice which is now so general of considerations such as these, and also of the prevail 1053 as to provoke speculation as to whether the awards are ing standards in public entertainment. They must were necessarily therefore be somewhat guarded. It w i~l intended to attract an audience which could not be WaJ, attracted by the intrinsic merit of the programme itself. be noted, however, that in paragraph 122 we find 1t and In connexion with this type of programme, it is necessary to refer to some evidence of a decline . in 1953 the standards of certain programmes,, a matter which appropriate to mention that several complaints were has caused the Board some concern. received during the past year that listeners had been invited to participate in competitions without auy 100. In succeeding paragraphs, comment is also , chance of winning the prize. The Board investigated made on the specific requirements of the Act (section the matter and ascertained that the principal cause 6K ( 2.)) that the Board shall, in particular- for complaint seemed to be that, as some of the pro ( i) ensure reasonable variety of programmes; grammes containing competitions are recorded several (ii) ensure that divine worship or other matter days in advance of broadcasting, a competition may be Labo of a religious nature is broadcast for won some time before the public is informed; conRe Liber adequate periods and at appropriate ti.mes quently during the intervening period time and money Othei and that no matter which is not of a was expended in submitting entries which had no Inde1 religious nature is broadcast by a station hope of winning. This possibility h ad apparently been during any period during which divine overlooked by the stations concerned which, after their worship or other matter of a religious attention was drawn to the matter, took steps to remove nature is broadcast by that station; any cause for further complaints. (iii) ensure that facilities are provided on an equitable basis for the broadcasting of political or controversial matter; RELIGIOUS BROADCASTS. (iv) determine the extent to which advertisements 103. The Board is, as mentioned in paragraph 100, may be broadcast in the programme of any obliged by law to ensure that divine worship or other Labo commercial broadcasting station; and matter of a religious nature is broadcast for adequate Liber periods and .at appropriate times. The quality and Othei ( v) fix the hours of service of broadcasting Inde1 extent of religious broadcasts on the National Service station, television stations and facsimile stations. continues to be most satisfactory and the work of the Australian Broadcasting Commission is, the Board feels, meeting with the general approval of the public VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES. and the Churches. The position in the Commercial 101. One of the Board's O'bligations is to ensure Service can also be regarded as satisfactory on the ''reasonable variety of programmes". In previous whole becaus·e of the willingness of most of the licensees reports, the Board has indicated that it is the practice of commercial stations to comply generously with the of the Australian Broadcasting Commission and the general principles which the Board adopted in 1949 for licensees of commercial broadcasting stations to frame their guidance in connexion with . religious broad Labo their programmes in such a way as to satisfy, as far Libe1 casts. (Full details of these principles were given in Othe as is practicable, the differing tastes of listeners pan.graph 146 of the Board's Second Annual Report.) Inde throughout the day. In most areas of the Common Briefly, the Board's standards in this field are that wealth, listeners are assured of satisfactory reception rnch commercial station should devote at least one hour of at least one national and one commercial station each week to the broadcasting of religious matter, either and in the capital ~iti es , where approximately 65 per by way of broadcasts of divine worship on Sundays cent. of the total population of the Oom1:nonwealth or by studio presentationS' throughout the week, the ------= 23 pro duration of which aggregates at least one hour. Tiroudcasls from r.ommercial Stations by Party Leaders ll'Cial Facilities for these broadcasts should be made avail througlwu/. the Senate Election Campaign. :lney. able to the various denominations according to their 1Uii. -~'ollowing its usual practice, the Board obtained ho ice numerical strength and no charge should be . made for dctaih of the broadcasts undertaken in connection with nab le tlrn senice. At 30th June, 1953, commercial stations the5e eledions and particulars are given hereunder of mual were allocating a total of 27 4 hours per week, free of the broadcasts relating to the Senate election. The that charge, to religious programmes, an average of more initial speeches which were delivered by the Parlia tions than ti hours per station. Only two of the 105 com m011tary leaders of the Government and Opposition same mercial stations then in operation were, in the opinion Parties were broadcast on interstate relay by the 11me. of tl1e Board, failing to provide adequate facilities for ~\mtralian Broadrasting Commission for a period of i has religious broadcasts, and the Board has taken the one hour in each case. Returns indicate that of the : for matter up vvith these stations. 104 commercial stations in operation at the time, 93 Dusly hroadc&st all or part of both speeches, 10 broadcast vidcd PoLITIC"'L BROADCASTS. all or pal't of one speech, and one station broadcast t the Provision of Equitable Facilities. neitlwr. In Queensland four stations also broadcast Mel 104. The Board is required by section 6K of the Act initial speeches for the Democratic Party. atter "to ensure that facilities are provided on an equitable >pmg Other Bro(ldcosfs by Parliamentary Part:-ies and basis for the broadcasting of political or controversial Jicmbers of such Part·ies from Commercial Stations. ublic matter'', but its obligations in this regard apply only ,tten to the Commercial Broadcasting Senice, as under 106. In addition to the broadcasts of initial speeches wery $ection S9 of tlrn Act, the .Australian Broadcasting Com by P arty leaders the conm:1ercial stations allocated a tests, mission has complete authority to arrange as it think> total of 4t:4 hours for the broadcasting of political fit for the broadcasting of political and controversial matter by the parties and (·andidates. This represents mattrr over national stations. In its Second Annual an avrrnge of Rpproximately five hours per station. The ality Rrport, the Board reported fully upon its attempt to a lloc·ation of time by metropolitan and country stations ment ensure equita hle facilities for the various parties in was as fo llows:- pro the 1949 Federal election, and because of its experience Hours. ,nder on that occasion strongly urged that the whole question lfetropolitan (25 stations) 122 .ions, of political broadcasts should be reviewed by the Parlia om es ment. Thr Board again invites attention to its obserrn Conntry ( 79 stations) 372 "r l:S tionP. in that report. Duri11g the year under review ray " an election for 32 Senators took place on 9th May, Total 494 1eral lil53, and elections for State Legislative Assemblies s are were held in Victoria (6th December, 1952), Nmv South Political matter of some kind was broadcast by all it be vYales and Western Australia (U:th Febrnary, 1953), sfations. The following table shows the allocation of tself. and Qneensland and South Australia (7th March, tirne nnder this hea ding among various parties and [t is 1953). (· nndida te.3. were been 'l' BLP. ALLOC:\TED TO THE VARIOUS PARTIES AND Cc\XDTD_\TES (PERCENTAGES). any l\IIETR.OPOLITAN STATIONS. ~ate d South Western - Comnwn- I New South Yictorfa. Qcteensland. Tasmania. :a use wralth. 'Ynles. I Anstralia. A ust.ra.J ia. pro ver al Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. .y be Labor Party ...... ' . . 48.5 68.6 71.6 38 .0 46. 1 39.ii 45.9 Jnse Liberal and Country Parties ...... 43.7 29.8 21. 3 51. 3 43.8 56 .8 41. 7 ,. 1 2.7 oney Others* ...... ' . 5.6 l.6 7.1 9.9 10 . 3.7 Independent candidates ' 2.2 ' 0.8 ' 9.7 l no ' . . ' '. . . '' . '' 100 been Total '' . ' .. ' .. '. i 100 100 100 100 100 100 their I I I I I nOYE' COUNTRY STATIONS. Common- Nc\v South South v.r·estern -- wealth-. Victoria. Q.ueens.lanrl. Aust.ralia. Australia. Tasn1ania. W:tle8. I 100, Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. 1ther Labor Party ...... 43.7 42. l 21.6 59 .6 46.3 37.4 39.1 1uate Liberal and Country Parties ...... 50.l 53.5 70.6 33.7 49.3 58 .8 50.7 Others* ...... 5.8 3.7 7.8 5.9 4.4 3.8 10 .2 and , , Independent candidates ...... 0.4 0. 7 '. 0.8 .. ' ' . . rv1ce ---- ' the Tot:tl .. .. . ' .. .. 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 oard lblie METROPOLITAN AND COUNTRY STATIONS Coi.mINED. rcial Common- New South South Western the Vic~ toria . Queensland. -- wealtl1 , \\Ta.Jes. Australia. Australia. Tasmania. isees I I the l for Per cent. Per cent. P er cent. Per cent. Per cent. P er cent. Per cent. Labor Party .. .. ·.· .. . . 44.9 46.0 33.1 55.0 46.2 38.l 41.3 oad Liberal and Country Parties ...... 48 .5 50 .0 59.2 37 .5 47.2 58. l 47.7 n rn Others* ...... '. 5.8 3.4 7.7 6.7 6.6 3.8 7.8 Independent candidates . . 0.8 0.6 )l't.) '. . . .. '. 0.8 ' ' .. 3.2 that -- Total ...... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 10Ul' I th er ~ Otl1er partic ~ s cons is t ed o f ('ommunist !'a rty {nil Stat es except t)tl' e1rnlnn Hrnaclca1ds from Co1nmercial Stations by Organiza .N a.tional Broadcash,ag Sere ice. anv tions ich ·iclz conducted prograrnmes confaining lOD. Political broadcasts from the national stations stat political matter during the Election Period. ,,-ere alloc<:.ted on the same principle for the 1050 whi 107. Broadcasts in this category occupied an addi Senate election as had ·been applie 25 acffcrt1scments might be broadcast by commercial b_y obsenations which have been made by the Board's ions stations on any day, except Sundays in respect of officers since the standards were promulgated. It has LD 5~1 which special conditions apply (see paragraph 112). been necessary for the Board to draw the attention of ~i ng some licensees to blatant disregard of the standards LT es, 111. The standards which were notified to all com relating to direct ("spot") advertising but, having had PTl1- mercial stations on 18th October, 1952, .are set out their attention drawn to the matter, these licensees }H~l' here,u:der :- lw.vc adjusted their advertising schedules. Some t~Ol\ (a) In the case -of advntisements in sponsored C\Xcesscs have also been observed in sponsored sessions, : ~1 ch r;e~sions, t}H.~ rnnnl ('l' of ·\vo rds Hn Cricket played in England. In each of these cases, the for aural reception by the general public" and the S(' Board gaYe general approval for an extension of hours, transmission of messages to individuals is not a normal d1 except in the case of 2BS Bathurst and 3AK Mel function of such a station. I t has, however, always ]IJ bourne, which are limited to their normal hours of been an accepted principle that a broadcasting station ti< may, in cases of extreme emergency, broadcast a mes service by reason of their operating conditions on a lll ~hared frequency channel. sage to a person to whom it could not be otherwise so conveyed, and the broadcasting of birthday and what ke 115. Station 3AK was licensed in 1931 under special are known as "cheerio " calls has been permitted under se: conditic:~s in accordance with which its hours of certain conditions. In recent times there has been some ro service are restricted to the follovving :- evidence of a tendency for some stations to depart from the generally accepted restrictions on the broadcasting ~·o 111 Week-days- of personal messages and during the year the Board, 12 midnight-7 a.m.; 11.30 p.m.-12 midnight. d11 after conferring with the Postmaster-General's Depart pr Saturdays- ment, thought it was desirable to determine specific Tl eonditions for the guidance of the broadcasters in con ur 12 midnight-i a.m.; 1 p.m.-2 p.m.; 11.30 p.m.- nexion with these broadcasts. These conditions are 12 midnight. as follows:- \'l• \'•<" Snndays- Messages intt,nded primar ily for individual listeners should 12 midnight.-4 a.m.; 12.30 p.m.-2.30 p.m.; 10 not be broadcast except in such emergenci0,; a nd except on p.m.-12 midnight. 'ud1 conditions a s are . 29 ••teenage " in their titles. The Board has been con Stations, and the Australian Broadcasting Commission. cerned from time to time by reports of the conduct of held in 1948, it was agreed inter alia that- us some of these se'ssions. However, after observing several to of these programmes over a period the Board hao (a) no station would radiate synthetic time signals in formed the opinion that for the most part they are of a character which might lead to their 111 conducted satisfactorily, though at times various being mistaken for standard time signals il, comperes have displayed a coa ,:seness of manner which al of the type transmitted by observatories is not a good example to the younger generation. throughout the Commonwealth; to Audience measurement surYcys indicate that these nt programmes attra,ct betwem1 20 and 25 per cent. of i's (b) national .and commercial stations would the available audience. Having regard to the alter eliminate from recorded programmes, time 'ill native programmes which are available at the same as signals which might happen to be super time, the audience for the "teenage" programmes imposed thereon and which might be !11- app0ars to be disproportionately large, a fact which radiated at other than the correct time. lSe imposes on those in charge of these programmes a ll8 torrespnndingly greater responsibility towards their LeS ymrn g an()_impressionable listrners. It is the Board's view that, as part of a station's en general programme service, periodical announcements ,re of tho correct local tL... ne should be made. The follow rd mg procedure is recommended :- of id. HEVISION OF EXISTING INSTRUCTIONS TO LICENSEES OF ( i) the oorrect time should be announced not less OoMMElWIAL BROADCASTING STATIONS. frequently than once in each 30-minute period, provided that a programme exceed rd 131. Prior to the establishment of the Board, 011 instructions were issued by the Postmaster-General's ing 30 minutes in duration may be com pleted without such interruption; wt Department for the guidance of broadcasters in rela ile tion to various aspects of progrnmmes. These were on adopted by the Board in 1949 but the Board has (ii) the correct time should be announced at the es deemed it desirable to review some of them and, after opening and closing of each transmission, tce confeTring with the .Australian Federation of Com and preceding each regular sen-ice pro llll mercial Broadcasting Stations, recently revised, and gramme, such as news bulletins. Observa nd re-issued, the instructions relating to broadcasts of tory time signals and public clock chimes m sporting events and lotteries, the broadcasting of tele may be broadcast at the discretion of a lar phone conversations, time signals and time announce station, provided that such time signals ral ments, in the foll01Ying terms:- should not be broadcast except on the hour, ild Eastern Standard Time or Western Aus 1ch tralian Time. Stations situated in terri Brnadcasls relating to Sporting Events.-The follow tory in which South Australian Time is ing rules should be observed in relation to broadcasts used should broadcast observatory time ;he d sporting events :- signals only at the equivalent of the hour, ity (a) E.S.T., namely 30 minutes past the hour, information co11cerning betting or betting S.A.T.; 10t odds, including totalisator dividends, in ral respect of any race meeting (including a ted trotting meeting) should not be broadcast (iii) the established practice of making frequent .ng .announcement of the ·time during early .p;:ior to the conclusion of the last event 0 11 ta the programme of that meeting; morning" sessions is commendable, but is ied left to the discretion of individual stations. the (b) advertisements soliciting business concerning ds, forecasts of results of sporting events should tal not be broadcast. This rule does not pre STANDARD OF .flNNOUNOING. en vent broadcasts containing forecasts and 132. The Board has also sent the following circular nt. summaries of sporting events. to the licensees of stations concerning the desirability to of maintaining a high standard of announcing:- ted .'\.11 State or local l ~nvs concerning descriptions of, or ost the publication of information relating to, sporting The coned use of English by thm;e engaged i11 any field events should also be observed. of ma ~,;· communication is much to be clesirecl a.nd, in the ren opinion or tlrn Board, broadcasters haYc a special responsi at l1ility .to encuurage the correct use of the spoken word by : a Lotferies.-Direct or indirect advertisements relating the a vo idance, i,1 t heir broadcast s, of slang, wrong to lotteries, or any information concerning them, should p1·01111ne.iation and ba.d gnunma r in routine announcements, liat in aclvcrt isi11g and in e11tert ainrne.11t matter . !J2 not be broadcast, except from a station which is to situated within a State in which a lottery is permitted The Boarcl appreciates, of course, that some latitude must Ly the law of that State, and then only in respect of Le allowed at times when it is necessar.v to depart from the to a('.C°eptcd forms for the purpose of plot or character clevel-Op :est that lottery. rnent, b nt in any such case, colloquia.lism or deliberate errors ten &lwuld bee fo trea':cd that their na.ture is clearly indicated the Hroadcast-ing of Telephone Conversations.-Thc by the context. Particular care in this respect is necessary iii the. presentatio11 of programme,; lJJ'oadcast at times when nd priYacy of telephone conversations is protected by the childrell may reaso11ahly be expeeted to be listening, in order dio Telephone Hegulations, and such conversations, t hat there 1uay lie no real ilubtanct• for the charo·e which is ted 11·hether on vvire or radio .cir,cuits or both, may not be ~onwtime,; rnacl-c that the good work of teachers in'"t he schools of i,; to ~ o; · 1e extent vitiated by ('Crtain sessions which are hroadcast unless, in special circumstances, permission hroa tlcast. ich has been granted by the Board in consultation with the Post Ofilce. Our ohEervations have lecl us to .the conclusion that t he work of the great majority of announcers employed at commercial stations is sa t isfactory. Kever theless, t he Board Time Signals and Time Announcements.- At a con suggests t ha t you might see fit to remind the members of ference between representatives of the Department of your staff who a re engaged on announcing dut ies, and all to Air, Department of Civil Aviati-0n, the Post Office, the artists employed by you, of your anxiety to maintain a consistently high standard in n~gard to the correct u se- of the Australian Federation of Commercial Broadcasting English. or 30 OBSERVATION OF PROGRAMMES. licensed listeners smce the inception of broadcasting i·ev< 133. OLservatiuns of programmes have Leen canied in 1923 :- ti-al \ ' JZ. out by the Bua rd's State Hepre.sentati ves as well as by ----;;;;;,, bc1:-:f-- officers of the Board's own staff. Special consideration Yrn\.r. Nnmhcr of broatl <·astinp; 1 Ii $tations in opeJ"ation. en ed has been given to C'el'tain aspects which have been the lii4enerf'. B H snhjcet of attention by tlie Board (for example, adver 1,206- ~1 tising on Sundnys, tluratiun and frequency of advertise 30th June, l!J24 4 -i-- ments, broadcasts in foreign languages and suitability Cla.s8 "A " Clas::;" B" of prograrnrne lllfitter), as well as to the quality of 1925 7 6 63,874 s O~a i~ of 1keucl'. New South I Yietoria. I Queeusl:rncl. / 8outh \Yl'stcrn COlllllHnl 'Wale~. Australia. Australia. Tasmania. wealth. I ---- OrclinH ry ...... 686,261 I 504,374 199,424 ;j Pensioners . . . . 2-02,196 1 134.602 65,-158 1,852,31 ...... 52,804 26,936 18,890 11 ,670 9,939 4,878 125, l J 7 Blind p ersons ...... 830 658 291 Schools 309 36G 201 2,65 4 ...... 2,107 l,361 961 701 235 204 5,136 9 Total ...... 742,002 533,329 282,338 212,104 145,141 70,741 1,085,655 I I Ration to 100 of population ...... 21.51 22.63 22.63 27.64 23.62 22.39 22.69 I I CusT OF N c\ TION AL BROADCASTING SERVICE. inc1·ea se as the result of the expansion of the service 138. Because the amount of fees paid by listeners and tho general rise in the cost of labour and material. had for some years previouHly been insufficient to meet the expenditure irn:urred on the National Broadcasting 1B9. Expenditure on the operation of the National Servire, the Rroadcasl:ing Act 19-12-1950 was amended Broadcasting Service (i.e. programme and technical in 1961 for the purpose of increasing the annual fee services) during 1952-53, was £4,499,879, this amount for a Lroad(•ast lit-Jteners' licence from £1 to £2 in Zone being made up as follows:- l (i.A., the area within approximately 250 miles of a £ l'ational broadcasting station) and from 14s. to 28s. A u~trn ljan B ru i·evelrne recei1·ed, excluding that derived by the .Aus A_ustralian Broadcasting Commission and the Aus tralian Broadcasting Uommission, was £3,805,285, tralian Federation of Commercial Broadcasting viz.:- Stations, each of which plays a major part in the pro £ vision of the Australian broadcasting services. The J)ruadca-st li ~ tP1 1 ers' licenee-fces il,770,313 Board gratefully acknowledges the co-operation it has Jlroatka~ti ng statiolls' Ji('encc-fecs 22,5]() received from each of these organizations, and ~li::;~e1la1 H' Oll ~ 12,456 especially the rnluahlc work which has been done on 3,80:>,28.3 behalf of the Board in the various States by officers of the Postmaster-General's Department, with the nnthorit.y, always readily forthcoming, of the Director Tl1 e expenditure on Broa dcasting Capital \Vorks was Ueneral (Mr. G. T. Chippindall, C.B.E.) . .£2:39 ,634, of which £37,764 was provided from ,iustralian Broadcasting Commission reserves. R. G. OSBORNE, Chairman. R. B. MAIR, Member. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. RAY ALLSOP, Member. 140. In tlrn com·8e of its discharge of its functions, th e Board and its officers are brought into almost daily J . O'~E L LY, Secl'etary. contact with the P ostmaster-General's Department, the 30th October, 1953. ·e, l'S es ) 11 7 4 9 5 9 cc ll. .a l al ll t 1g 34: he of sh 32 APPENDIX A. cm.anmCIAL BROADCASTING STATIONS JN OPERATIOX ON 30m JUNB, 1953. Houn of service Wave- I Frequency Operating per week Call sign. Loc:\tion of station. Licensee. (kc/s). length power. t (to nearest (m.). quarter I hour). 1------1 I ·watts. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TEl<..ItITORY. 2CA . . I Canberra .. I Canberra Broadcasters Ltd., Mort-street, Brnddon, Canberra 1,050 l 286 I 2,000 119 3T XE\V Sou-rrr '\VAr.. Ec;. 31; J.~i e.trop:>li/.r,t7L 2CH Sydney New South vValess Council of Churches Service, St. Andrew's 1,170 25G 1,000 115 3Y Cathedral, George-street, Sydney 2GB Sydney Broadcasting Station 20B PLy. Ltd., l 3 D-13~~ Phillir:-:;truet, Sydney 870 3 J:"} 1,000 l:'l 2KY Sydney The Trustees, H.. II. Er3ldne a.nd .J. N . T horn. ~l!Hl t.l'e SP:erotr.,ev, 1 , 0:~0 2iH J,:HJ:) 1!9 R. A. ICing, of the Labor C-.)un.ci1 of l~cw South \\'"ale.3 , T r·~~d().,; }fall, Goulbnrn-street, R,vclney 4E 2SM Sydnoy Broadcasting St n,tion 2Sl\l Pty. Ltd., 60 Hunter-st.r()ct, Sydney .. 1,270 23fi 1,000 118 21JE Sydney Hadio 2UE Sydney Pty. T..td., 29 Hligh.streol;, Sydney . . 950 316 l,000 121! 4E 2UW Sydney Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation Pty. Ltd., 49 J\Iarket- 1,110 270 1,000 168 street, Sydney 4E Country. 4E 2AD Arn:ddale i~c-w -rnngla.:nd l :roadcastcr;;, l 13 lf_q,u lkiner-:.;trcct, Armida.le l,J 30 26[) 200 I 92~ 2AY Albury Amalgafila tod \Vfreless (A/asia.) Ltd., 4-7 -~{nrh: -s trcet , S,v S3 COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING S·rATIONS IN OPERATION ON 30TH JUNE, 1953-contin·uea. Hours of of service e Wave Call sign. Location of station. Licensee. Frequency length Operating per week :ek (kc/ s). power. t (to nearest ·est (m.). quarter ir hour). Watts. VICTORIA-continued. Country- continued. 19 3TR Sale Broadcast l~ntertainments Pty. Ltd.," The Age", Chambers, 239 1,240 242 2,000 ll3 Collins-street, Melbourne, C.1. I 3UL Warragul The Argus Broad.casting Services Pty. Ltd., 365 J COMMERCIAL llRO.\!>C.'. STINO STATIONS I:< OPERATION ON 30Tfl J r· NE , 1953-continned. I I i Hours of I v . I service 1 I Call •ign. J,ocation of station. 1 Licensee. Frequency ~ a\'l; Operating per week i (kc/s). e( ng) power. t (to nearest m. . I quarter hour). ----·-!------!· -----.------,Vat;:- ---- / TASMANIA. 6V M etrop,,litrm. 6V 7 HO . ' Hobart Commercia l BrnnrkH -"t-~rs l't_v. Ltd .. A.M.P. ·Buildings, cnr. Colli1rn 8()0 3!B 2,000 117 ~ and Elir.a.beth strr:d". Hoba.rt 6G 7HT Holmrt '. :vietrnpr>lita n B roadcasters Pty. Ltd., 141-143 ~~fo.abet.b-~tr<>. et, l,081) :?78 2,000 117! 6G I Hnb:irt 6VI Oou-ntty. 7AD Devc1npurt '.\J'ortlwrn Tasmania Broadea.~tcrs Pty. Ltd., 20 Paternnn-st.r·eet. 900 33:i 500 ' 108} I .... auneest.nn 7RU Burnie Burnie Broadcasting Service P l v. Ltd.. 29 Pater·son-street, 560 53) liOO 86 7Z. l ... a.unceston · ~, 7Z: 7J>Y Derby '.\" orth-East Tammnia.n Ha.dio HroMkast.Prs Pty. Ltd., 29 Patersun- 1,450 '.l07 500 54± street. Launcest"n ' 7N' 7EX Laun<'.e~ti1n 7EX Pt_y. Lt.d ., 71 Patcrson-~treet. , .Launce'!ton 1,010 2\17 Jl)f) 108! 7LA La.nnr.est --·------·· ~ ---· t Power of certa.in sta.tions to be incrca.:;ed in acconla.nce with Board's determinat.ipn--see Appendix " U ". 9PJ VLJ .APPENDIX B. VLI VLJ NATIONAL BROADCASTINO STATIONS IN OPERATION ON 30TU JUNE, 1953. VLJ VLl l<'requenc:---1·-"-'a_v_e--l-cn_g_t_h-c-A-e-r-ia-l--p-o_w_e-. r~~~~-;~~~~e7~e VL( Call sign. Station. (kc/ s). (m.). (watt.s). nearest quarter VL~ hour). VL1 !------·[ ---~ VL1 MEPIU"'1 \VAVE SEJWIC' ES. A u.itralian Capit(il Terrilory. 2CY Canberra R.egicma,l .. 850 353 10,000 122! 20N C nherra .. I 1,540 195 2 ,000 11 2 New So,ifh Waz,s. (Metropolitan .) 2BL Sydney 740 405 10,000 118~ 2FC Sydney 610 492 J0,000 116 (Country.) 2CO Riverina Regional (Corowa ) 670 448 7,500 122! 2CR Central Regional (Curnnock) 550 545 10,000 l 22i 2LG Lit.hgow Regional .. l,fi70 191 200 1221 2NA HuntP.r River Regional No. 2 (Newcastle) 820 366 2,000 l Hi 2NB Broken H ill Regional 760 395 l,000 123 2NC Hunter River Regional (Ne,,.,,astle) l ,230 244 2,000 118! 2NR Northern Rivers Hegional (Gra.fton) .. 700 4:W 10.000 122! 2NU Northern Tableland'< Regional (Manilla) 6.50 462 10,000 122t 2TR Manning River Regiona,J (Taree) 720 417 200 122! 2AD Victoria. 2AY (Metropolitan.) 2BE 3AR Melbourne 2BS 620 484 10,000 ll6 2DU 3LO Melbourne 770 390 10,000 118~ 2GF (Country.) 2GN 3Gl Gipp"land Regional (Sale) 2KA 830 361 7,000 1 22~ Western R egional (Do@en) 2KM 3WV I 580 517 10,000 l 22t 2LF Qu.eensland. 2LM c;'1Ietropolitan.) 2LT 2MG 4QG Brisbane 790 380 10,000 116 2MO 4QR Ilri,ba ne 590 508 10,000 ll8i 2MW (Country.) 2PK Atherton R egional 4AT 680 441 500 122t 2QN 4GM Gympie Regional .. 1,540 195 200 122! 2RG Mackay Regional 4QA .. 720 417 2,000 122! 2WL Wide Bay Regiona,I (Pialha) 4QB 910 330 2,000 1221 2XL 4QL Longrearh Region a,I 540 556 200 122t 4QN North Regional (Townsville) 630 476 7,000 122! 4QS Darling Downs Regional (Dal by ) 750 400 10,000 122l 3AK 4QY Cairn• Regional 890 337 2,000 122! 3BA Ronkha mpton R egional 4RK 940 319 2,000 122! 3BO Sou:h Ooa' NATIONAJ, BROADCASTING STATIONS JN OPERATION ON 30TR JUNR, 1953-r.ontinu.W. ,Hours of servioe Call sign. Station. Frequency Wave-length Aerial power per week (to (kc/s). . (m.). (watts). nearest quarter hour). Western Australia. (Metropolitan.) 6WF j Perth 690 6WN Perth 435 5,000 116 810 370 6,000 118! (Country.) 6GF Goldfields Regional (Kalgoorlie) 6GN I 720 417 2,000 1221 Gernldton Regional .. 830 361 6WA South-West Regional (Wagin) 2,000 122! 560 536 10,000 122! Tasmania. (Metropolitan.) 7ZL j Hobart .. 600 7ZR Hobart .. 500 2,000 116 1,160 259 500 118t (Country.) 7NT I North Regional (Kelso) 710 423 7,000 122! Nortbern Territory. 5AL I Alice Springs Regional 1,530 196 5DR Darwin Regional .. 50 123 1,500 200 200 123 Papua. 9PA I Port Moresby .. I 1,250 240 500 90! SHORT WAVE SERVICES. VLl 1 Sydney, New South Wales VLG The frequencies on which 2,000 119 Lyndhurst, Victoria these stations transmit VLH Lyndhurst, Victoria 10,000 53!* are varied as required 10,000 119 VLR Lyndhurst, Victoria to VLM obtain optimum 5,000 116! Brisbane, Queensland results ice VLQ Brisbane, Queensland 10,000 122! 0 10,000 er VLX Perth, Western Australia 122! VLW Perth, Western Australia 10,000 119 VI,T Port Moresby, Papua 2,000 119 2,000 90! FREQUENCY MODULATION SERVICES (E:x;PERIMENT.\L) . I Sydney, New South Wales .. .. 192.100 Mc/s. .. 2,000 Melbourne, Victoria .. .. 91.100 Mc/ s. Adelaide, South Australia .. .. 2,000 ,. 97.300Mc/ s. .. I 250 • Avallable only part-time for the National Broadcasting Service; also operates for Radio Australia. APPENDIX C. COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING STATIONS. INCREASES IN OPERATING POWER DETERMINED BY THJi: BOARD. . . Position as at 30th June, 1953. Power Power Power Power Call Sl¥U. previously determined tocatlon of station. Call sign. LQcatioP. C>f ~tation. previously determined authorized by Board authorized by Board (watts). (watts). (watts). (watts). New South Wales. ~ensla ml. 2AD .. Armidale .. . . 200 1,000 4AY .. Ayr ...... 500 I 1,000* 2AY .. Albury ...... 200 2,000 4BU .. Bund11.berg .. .. 1.)00 2,000 2BE .. Bega ...... 500 l,000 4CA .. c11.irns .. .. 300 1,000 2BS .. B11.thurst .. . . 200 1,000* 4GR .. Toowoomba .. .. 500 2,000 ~DU .. Dl.lbbq ...... 200 2,000 4GY .. Gympie . . .. 200 500* 2GF .. Grafton .. . . 200 1,000 4IP .. Ipswich . . .. 200 l,000 2GN .. Goulburn .. .. 200 2,000 ~LG .. Longreach .. .. 1,000 2,000 2KA .. Katoomba .. .. 1,000 1,000* 4MB .. Maryborou gh .. .. 300 2,000 2KM .. Kempsey . .. .. 300 1,000* 4MK .. Mackay ... .. 100 2,000 2LF .. Young . . .. i 300 2;000 4RO .. RMkhawpton .. .. 200 2,000 2LM .. Lismore .. .. 500 1,000* 4TO .. Townsville .. .. 200 1,000* 2LT .. Lithgow . . . . 100 500 4VL .. Charleville .. .. 500 1,000 2MG .. Mudgee .. .. 100 500 4WK .. Warwick .. .. 100 1,000 2MO .. Gunnedah .. . . I 100 1,000 4ZR .. Roma .. .. 500 1,000 2MW .. Murwillumbah .. .. 500 1,000* 2PK .. Parkes .. .. I 200 500 South A mtralia. 2QN .. Deniliquin .. .. 200 2,000 5AU Port Augusta .. .. 200 500 2RG I I .. Griffith .. .. I 200 1,000* 5SE .. Mount Gambier .. I 200 500 2WL .. Wollongong .. . . 500 2,000 I 2XL .. Coo ma . . I 500 1,000 Western Australia. 6CI ...... 500 Victoria. Collie 2,000 6GE .. IGerald ton .. . . 500 2,000 3AK .. Melbourne .. . . 200 500 6KG .. K algoorlie .. .. 500 I 2,000 3BA .. Ballarat .. .. 500 1,000 6MD .. Merredin .. .. 500 I 2,000 3BO .. Bendigo . . .. 500 l,000 3CS .. Colac ...... 200 1,000 Tasmania. 3CV .. Maryborough .. .. 500 1,000 7HO . . Hobart .. 500 3GL Geelong .. 2,000 ...... 500 1,000 7HT . . Hobart .. .. 500 2,000 3HA .. Hamilton . . .. 1,000 2,000 7AD Devonport .. 3MA .. .. 300 500 .. Mildura .. .. 200 2,000 7BU .. Burnie . . 200 3SH Swan Hill .. 500 ...... 200 2,000 7DY . . Derby .. .. 200 500 3TR .. Sale ...... 1,000 2,000 7EX . . Launceston 3UL .. .. 500 2,000 .. Warragul .. . . 200 1,000 7LA .. Launceston . . 500 3YB Warrnambool .. 2,000 ...... 200 1,000 7QT . . Queenstown .. .. 300 500t • Approved power during day 2,000 watts. t Approved power during day 1,00Q w11tt~ , 5072.-4 36 APPENDIX D. PRINCIPLES TO GOVERN CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMES. (Drawn up by conference in 1945-see paragraph 127.) Because of the obligation of the broadcasting stations to their juvenile audience, it is necessary that meticulous supervision should he exercised over all programmes or sessions designed for child listeners, and also over programmes broadcast during early evening sessions when children are likely to be listening. The customary standards of propriety governing programmes in general shall, of course, apply to children's sessions, but in particular the following standards are to be observed :- ( l) All scripts for children's programmes must be carefully written having in mind the particular audience for which they are intended. (2) Children should be encouraged in the art of correct speech and pronunciation, and therefore slang and incorreet English shou l.d be discouraged. (3) All stories must reflect respect for law and order, adult authority, good morals and clean living. Where applicable, the hero or heroine and other sympathetic characters must be portrayed as intelligent and morally courageous. The theme must stress the importance of mutual respect of one man for another, and should emphasise t he desirability of fair play and honorable behaviour. Cowardice, malice, deceit, selfishness and disrespect for Ia.w must be avoided in the delineation of any character presented in the light of a hero to the child listener. 3( (4) Adventure stories may be accepted, subject to the following prohibitions: No torture or suggestion of torture. No horror-present or impending. No use of the supernatural or of superstition likely to arouse fear. No profanity or vulgarity. In order that children will not be emotionally upset, no programme or eposide shall end with an incident which will create in their minds morbid suspense or hysteria. Dramatic action should not be over-accentuated through gun play or through other ¥J.ethods of violence. To prevent the overstimulation of the child's imagination, sound effects intended to anticipate or simulate death or physical torture are not permitted. (5) The themes of stories broadcast in children's sessions should reflect fair play and considerate behaviour for one's fellow being. In particular, they should not undermine parental authority or the authority of teachers. (6) It is recommended that there shall be regular sessions designed to impart a knowledge of the history and potentialities of our country, a broader knowledge of current affairs and a love of culture, e.g. special sessions of the works of appropriate authors should be broadcast in order to encourage the habit of reading. It is further recommended that music which is included in children's sessions should be of such a nature as to help the cultural development of the children. (7) As distinct from the collective aspects of children's programmes it is suggested that sessions calculated to develop the tastes of individual children might be arranged, e.g., broadcasts devoted to particular hobbies. (8) Contests and offers which encourage children to enter strange places and to converse with strangers in an effort to collect box-tops or wrappers may present a definite element of danger to the children. Therefore such contests and offers are not acceptable. (9) No appeal should be made to the child to help characters in the story by sending in box-tops or wrappers; nor may any actors remain in character and, in the commercial copy, address the child urging him to purchase the product in order to keep the programme on the air, or make similar appeals. (10) Where radio clubs are formed they shall be carefully supervised in the matter of the behaviour of the children, the company which they keep and, in particular, in any club function, individual children should not be encouraged to " show off" in front of others. a1 37 APPENDIX E. AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CONTROL BOARD. STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1953. Receipt8. Payment8. Previou8 Year. 30th June, 1953. Previous Year. 30th J une, 1953. £ £ £ £ £ 60,6!.Jl Parliamentary Appropriation 56,3!.Jl Salaries and W agos 11 l\1iscellaneo11s Rtwenue 11 44,994 Salaries 43,240 1,696 Temporary Assistance 1,407 60,702 56,402 551 Extra Duty Pay 46!.J 45, 116 47,241 General Expenses- 5,811 Travelling and Subsistence 3,381 1,907 Postages, Telephones, &c. 1,109 4,037 Incidentals 4,132 ---- 8,622 11,755 l be Stores and Material- ·hen 1,454 Office Requisites 1,435 252 Technic:i.l Equipment 1,22!.J ular 2,664 1,706 ---- 60,702 56,402 60,702 56,402 ;lish NOTE.-Adjusted to nearest£. .J. O'KELLY, Secretary. R. G. OSBORNE, Chairman. ·rtlly · the STA'fEMENT OF ASSETS AS AT 30TH JUNE, 1953. t be 30th June, 1952. Description of Assets. 30th June, 1953. £ £ £ £ Nil Land and Buildings Nil Office Furniture and Equipment- 5,866 At cost to 30th June, 1952 5,866 Additions during year 671 will 6,537 vent 1,189 Le .~s-Depreciation 1,596 sical Items written off 1,596 4,677 4,941 eing. Library- four 1,020 At cost to 30th June, 1952 1,020 ;hm·s Additions during year 342 id in 1,362 168 Less- Depreciation 288 tes of Items written off 288 )Hect 852 ---- 1~074 l not Technical Equipment- ' any 8fi5 At cost to 30th June, 195il 851$ .er to Additions during year 1,229 2,084 pany 145 Less-Depreciation 339 f" ill Items written off 839 710 1,745 861 Office Stores and Material on hand . . 343 6,600 8,103 J. O'KELLY, Secretary. R. G. OSBORNE, Chairman. The above statement has been examined and is in agreement with the books. In my opinion it exhibits a true and fair view of the assets of the Australian Broadcasting Control Board at 30th June, 1953. J. BROPHY, Auditor-General for the Commonwealth. 6th August, 1953. Ry Anthority: L. F . .JOHNSTON, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canhi>rr't. 142 "' 0 I cl I 2·1 I I I I ~-:~&~ '"~- Shorland l Q I r., "'"'h• I ARA FUR A SiE A i i I TIM O.R SEA I I i I ( 0 ·I· L SEA ~EGEND I i National Stations ______j_ ___ ,______-c.-:~~- --~- .!-~-===-- ' _Commerciat-Stations arar-Cti~nel ------....,...... , -~-+--- I Commercial Stations Sh\i.red Channel------+ ...... ,. • - . I I"' I " \" : k~'"""'' ..,,.,,,._ • ''\. CIJM'-"' ...... l'-""'C--- !...--:;,.) _] -l•oi ! I ,! i L.G~ 0 I ! i1i...-ll I'"'"'A i R A L ~R.-L. ~'~ S..!•Lot<• ,.. ~ .., .. \ "R , ""\' "" I- / I I , , I I : -f-tt I I I I I I \ I I ~ SCALE OF STA'J'l'TE :0.11LE5 I i ,~, 300 400 500 ---- I LEGEND ~J R!tilways.______. ______------· I I Main Roads Stat~ Boundal)·• ...•.•.•••• •••.. . . ------·- ·- ·-· I I lntcmation~ I Boundary •.•.•..... -----·--·--- -- I I 1 1 112· 160. ___ __)