Radio annual (1938)

Broadcasting — Broadcasting in Poland is under the control of Polskie Radio (The Polish Radio Co.) which is a Government owned and operated enterprise. The broadcast programs, which still have room for improvement from an American standpoint, are supported by subscription fees paid by radio owners. Advertising — Advertising, which did not reach American standards, was interspersed between records in the recorded musical programs but on April 1, 1937 all commercial advertising over the radio was discontinued. In 1936 the income from advertising amounted to 555,359 zlotys, and up to April 1, 1937, 172,723 zlotys. Transcriptions — Slightly more than 20 per cent of the broadcasting time of the most important Polish radio stations is devoted to the broadcasting of recorded music. Additional time is devoted to recorded talks but this time is not regular. Owing to the fact that the local record making industry is well established, no opportunity is offered for supplying American transcriptions, either with or without advertising ; in fact, Poland offers only a very small market for American made phonograph records. Imports of records come principally from Germany, England and Austria. The most important record makers are Syrena-Rekord, Tow. S'. A. and Polskie Zaklady Fonograficzne, both of Warsaw. These firms do not furnish records for broadcasting but retail record shops do. Sets in Use— 763,69'3. Stations — 10. €> PORTUGAL General — At present there are 23 broadcasting stations in Portugal, and one additional short wave station under construction. Of the total, 2 are owned and operated by the Government, 2 by the Radio Club Portugues, and only these 4 are of any considerable importance, the remaining 19 being stations of low power and small coverage, known locally as "amateurs." There are 3 short-wave stations included in the total given above. None of the ■ stations in Portugal have sufficient power to cover the entire country. Advertising — Radio advertising _ is prohibited by law in Portugal, but a special temporary concession has been granted the Radio Club Portugues to broadcast advertisements. It is reported that owners of several small stations have recently petitioned the Ministry of Public Works and Communications for authorization to broadcast advertising, but no decision has been announced as yet. Regulations — -The Government exercises control of radio in Portugal through a Director of Radio Electrical Services (Direccao dos Servicos Radio Electricos) in the Ministry of Public Works and Communications. Regulations are contained in Decrees Nos. 22,783 and 22,784 of June 29, 1933, published in the Diario do Governo of the same date. Sets in Use — According to recent statistics, there were 52,303 licensed sets in use in Portugal as of Nov. 30, 1936. It is estimated, however, that the total number in use is not less than 65,000. No statistics are available covering the types of sets in use, but it is believed that the greater number are 4 or 5 tube medium-wave band sets. Foreign Sets While American radios continue to dominate the Portuguese market, accounting for more than 50 per cent of imports in 1935, the competition of European sets is becoming increasingly severe. Patents— According to local importers, there are no patent regulations or patent licensing arrangements which would operate to restrict the sale of American radios in Portugal. Customs Duties — Radio receivers are classified under Article 651 of the Portuguese Customs Tariff, and are dutiable at 0.60 gold escudos per kilogram, plus a surcharge of 20 per cent on radios weighing less than 5 kilograms and of 5 per cent on those weighing more than 5 kilograms (according to the terms of the commercial agreement with the Netherlands). Sets in Use— 65,000. Stations — 24. € RUMANIA General — In proportion to its size and population, Rumania is still far from being adequately supplied with the radio equipment necessary for its requirements. Economic difficulties have considerably restrained Government promotion of developments. At present the major obstacles to sales are the import and exchange restrictions and high rates of duty, with limited consumer purchasing power. Last official statistics showed 127,041 sets in use of which 114,284 were tube and 12,737 crystal sets. This amounts to one set for each 151 inhabitants. Estimates place unlicensed sets at 75,000. Sources of Supply — The Rumanian market is supplied about 75 per cent by European manufacturers, 8 per cent by American, and the remainder by domestic industry. Austria is now consistently the first supplier of sets, the Horniphon factory in Austria manufacturing Philips sets to give Philips the advantages of the more lenient Austro-Rumanian agreements. American participation appears to be slowly improving, despite the difficulties attendant upon this trade. Foreign Trade— The United States holds third position as supplier of sets, total imports therefrom, in 1936 amounting to 18',732 net kilograms. The peak of imports from the United States in that period was reached in 1932 with 25,979 net kilograms. Short Wave — All-wave sets have been in demand since 1933 as a result of demonstrable superiority of reception during the summer months over medium band sets. Short-wave reception is excellent the year round, and popularity is growing from year to year. Approximately 90 per cent of current sales of imported sets are for those with short-wave tuning, as well as about 80 per cent of the domestic. American transmissions are heard in the evening (from 7 to 9 p.m. local (Eastern time)), and early in the morning (3 to 6 a.m.), although not as well as the European broadcasts. Advertising — The broadcasting company has placed all advertising arrangements in the hands of the Advertul Publishing Co. of Bucharest. The general quality of advertising is low, and consists almost entirely of announcements. The only rates are by the word, at 20 to 30 lei per word (12 to 18c). Full sponsored programs can be arranged, but rates seem to be a matter of bargaining. The broadcasting company is said to have earned approximately 4,000,000 lei in each of the past three years for advertising broadcasts. Transcriptions — Recordings are used extensively. Regulations — Receiving licenses for tube sets cost 200 lei, and for crystal sets 50 lei. In addition there is a subscription fee of 600 lei per year for home tube sets and 300 lei for home crystal sets. Sets in public places are assessed a subscription of 3,000 lei in municipalities, 1,800 in other urban centers, and 1,200 in rural districts, and those in State institutions, 600 lei. Any extension outlet increases the liability by 300 iei. The fees are collected directly by the broadcasting company or through the post office, and are payable quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. Sets in Use— 127,041. Stations — 2. 956