Radio annual (1938)

observed to produce the sharpest results wel! through the night when broadcast from European stations. Broadcasting — Xo broadcasting stations have been established in Bermuda. Regulations — -No regulations are in force governing the use of radio equipment save for legislation prescribing that it is subject to government control for military purposes. A fee of five shillings (approximately $1.25) is levied once upon each receiving set put into use. Sets in Use— 2,980. Stations — None. e BOLIVIA General — It is estimated that approximately 20,000 sets are in use. There has been no appreciable increase for some years. The greater part of all radio sets sold in Bolivia are imported by rep resentatives in La Paz of American manufacturers. There are no wholesalers, although some retail dealers do some wholesale business. Sales of sets are not brisk. Sources of Supply — The demand is largely for American sets, because of price and because European tubes are difficult to obtain. Almost every large American radio manufacturer is represented. Patents — No interference with sales have been reported. Tariffs and Restrictions — Radios, radio batteries, tubes and accessories mayl be imported into Bolivia upon payment of a duty of 20 per cent ad valorem, plus a surcharge of 20 per cent of the duty and a currency depreciation surcharge of 384% of the duty and surtax combined. Advertising— Local stations carry advertising. Foreign advertisers are assessed a 40% surcharge. Transcriptions — An occasional program transcription has been used when supplied without cost by a manufacturer in the United States, but little progress has been made because of the depreciation of the local currency. Sets in Use— 20,000 Stations — 4. General — Xo statistics, official or otherwise, are available covering the number of radio receivers in use in this country. However, trade estimates place the number at between 400,000 and 420,000, which, on the basis of the latter figure, are distributed geographically as follows : State of Sao Paulo, 189,000 sets, 45% of the total; Federal District and State of Rio de Janeiro, 168,000, 40 per cent; State of Rio Grande do Sul, 50,400, 12 per cent; rest of Brazil, 12,600, 3 per cent; total, 420,000. It is estimated that between 90 and 95 per cent of all the radio receivers sold in this market are purchased on an installment basis, payments covering periods of from 6 to as much as 24 months. A peculiar angle to this situation is that the Brazilian, whether rich or in modest circumstances, prefers to buy on time, for the reason that he will be assured of some sort of service on his radio as long as payments are still due the dealer. While the statistics show that the United States has managed to maintain its predominant position as a supplier during 1936, the increase noticeable in our receiver sales here oyer the previous year was less than that of Philips. An analysis of the figures reveals that U. S. shipments to this market during 1936 increased 20,036 kilos in volume, or 25 per cent, over the previous year, whereas imports from the Netherlands (exclusively Philips) increased 121,652 kilos, or 68 per cent, over the 1935 level. That German receivers are also gaining ground in the market is evident from the fact that the volume of shipments from this country increased approximately^ 72 per cent (27,332 kilos) over the same period. Tariffs and Trade Restrictions — Radio sets and accessories and parts (excepting tubes) fall under Article No. 1583 of the Brazilian tariff, with duty payable according to the weight of the unit. Short Wave — Short wave reception is very popular in Brazil. About 10 per cent of the sets in use are able to receive the United States and Europe regularly, although United States stations are largely under the disability of interference from European stations, with directed waves. American broadcasts, however, are not entirely satisfactory1 to Brazilians, because of language difficulties. Chain Broadcasting — Considerable progress has been made in the field of network broadcasting in Brazil since the beginning of the present year and indications are that further developments of importance will be seen. Advertising — The use of radio as a medium for advertising has increased considerably in recent years. This development may be attributed largely to the substantial upswing in receiver sales which has afforded wider listener coverage, as well as to the improved quality of programs available. Radio advertising rates vary widely. A great majority of the stations now in operation in the country are usually in financial difficulties which fact has been responsible for widespread price cutting and has led the prospective advertiser to follow the practice of "shopping" for time. Transcriptions — There has been a pronounced increase in the use of American made electrical transcriptions by some of the leading radio advertisers. Dance music with "dubbed in" Portuguese announcements have proven particularly popular and the use of transcriptions of this type is destined to expand. Sets in Use— 420,000. Stations — 65. 937