Radio annual (1938)

Short Wave — Short wave broadcasting was undertaken by two stations. Many persons have reported difficulty in getting Schenectady, as a result of German broadcasts on DJA 31.38 meters — 9,560 kilocycles and DJD 25.49 meters — 11,770 kilocycles, programs of which are now advertised in the Peruvian press. Transcriptions — While phonograph records are still widely used more talent is being hired. Electrical transcriptions are used regularly^ by several stations. Special transcriptions are in Spanish ; however, popular songs from the United States are given in English. Restrictions — There are no exchange, import, or other general restrictions. Sets in Use— 19,000. Stations — 14. © PHILIPPINE ISLANDS General — The radio is particularly valuable in towns and districts remote from Manila, which cannot otherwise get news, produce quotations, etc., promptly. It would seem that the provinces outside of Manila should offer an excellent field for expansion in the sale of radios, to the extent that economic conditions permit their purchase. Nevertheless, at least 75 per cent of the sets sold are sold in Manila. Sets in Use — At the end of 1935, there were 24,231 sets licensed, of which 11,313 were in Manila and 2,683 in the province of Rizal, which includes Manila suburbs. Of the _ total 60 per cent were registered in the Manila area. The total number of sets registered at the end of 1936 was 27,995. Short Wave — The majority of the sets in use are long-wave, probably 60 to 70 per cent of the purchasers are not interested in short-wave. This is probably due partly to the fact that there has been no short-wave broadcasting in the Philippines and the majority of Filipino purchasers are not much interested in outside stations. There is a good market for sets, however, among the Chinese. Americans, Europeans and many Filipinos, particularly those who have traveled abroad, require short-wave sets capable of getting European stations. American stations are _ not as a rule heard successfully in the Philippines. Sources of Supply — Probably two-thirds of the sets sold are of two American makes. The remaining third of the business is divided among 8 or 9 sets, chiefly American, with the exception of Philips, which gets a moderate amount of business in the high-priced class. Patents — Situation not of importance. Short Wave — Reception of American short-wave programs is generally unsatisfactory. They can sometimes be heard on very good sets, but European programs come in much better. Advertising — KZRM in 1936 broadcast 282 hours of sponsored programs, including some electrical transcriptions from the United States. There are occasional rebroadcasts of important events in the United States and Europe brought in on short-wave and rebroadcast by KZRM. KZEG's programs are made up mainly of phonograph records. It had an advertising revenue of 13,845 pesos in 1936, which approximately covered the cost of operation. KZIB is operated by I. Peek, Inc., department store owners and radio distributors. Programs are made up about 35 per cent of local talent, 15 per cent electrical transcriptions and 60 per cent of phonograph records and are heard throughout most of Luzon and sometimes in the southern Islands. Advertising revenue averages about 1,000 pesos a month, which is not quite sufficient to cover operating expenses. Transcriptions — A few electric transcriptions are received from American advertisers. Aside from that, there is no considerable use of transcriptions, although phonograph records are used a good deal. Regulations — Of the 27,995 sets registered at the end of 1936, it appears that registration fees were paid on not more than half, as the total amount received, on the basis of 10 pesos per year per set, was 123.559 pesos. Sets in Use — 27,995. Stations — 3. © NICARAGUA General — Little^ control is exercised in Nicaragua over the activities of broadcasting stations, although there is in existence a set of regulations covering licensing and other pertinent features. The total number of sets in Nicaragua is unofficially estimated at about 1,700. Broadcasting — Advertising by radio is not, as yet, beyond its first stages and is usually limited to local enterprize. Short Wave — American and other foreign short Wave reception is good during the later hours of the afternoon and during the evening, except, of course, where there is interference from local stations. Receiving Sets — Practically all radio receiving sets sold in Nicaragua are of American manufacture. The most popular sets are those with all-wave reception and from 6 to 11 tubes. Eight or 9 tube sets in table models appear to have the greatest sales appeal. Import Restrictions, Quotas — At present there exist no import restrictions or quotas. No permits are required for importation of radios into Nicaragua at present. Sets in Use — 1,700. Stations — 9. c POLAND General — There were only 763,693 registered receiving sets in Poland on June 1, 1937, of which 483,547 were tube type, the remainder being crystal sets. The total number registered represents an increase of 104 per cent from the 374,000 registered on Jan. 1, 1935, and an increase of 55 per cent over the 491,823 registered on Jan. 1, 1936. About 14 per cent of the total are in Warsaw. Germany is the principal source of imports of radio sets, parts and accessories, followed by Holland and Austria. Small quantities are also received frorn the United States, England, France, and Switzerland. The demand for American sets is greatly limited by present market conditions. Tariffs and Restrictions— Radio receiving sets are classified under tariff item No. 1118, paragraph 1 , which has "normal" rates of from 2,000 to 5,000 zlotys per 100 kilograms but, conventional rates of from 1,400 to 3,600 zlotys. Conventional rates apply to imports from the United States. Quotas for the importation of American radios are not established officially, but it is understood that at present allocations of import permits are being made to the extent of 450 kilo? net weight per quarter. Short Wave — The short-wave program over sta> tion SPW of Warsaw on 22 meters starts at 5:30 p.m., Central European Time, and ends at 7.30 p.m. on Sunday and starts at 6:30 p.m. and stops at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only. Programs consist mainly of Polish music, news comments, talks on Poland and Poles, etc. Reception of American short-wave programs, even with 6 and 7 tube sets is fairly good. This is likewise true of such far away stations as Buenos Aires, Argentina and Tokyo, Japan. 955