Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1959)

sorship, but with the operator controlling programs. Cost? • Dr. Silva was loath to estimate how much it will cost to expand Portugal's television operations to cover most of this rather rugged country. Revenue from sponsorship this year wouldn't pay one month's postage bill for any one of our networks. It will aggregate about $35,000 according to Dr. Silva. But revenue also is derived from television set licenses — about $15 per set per year. The "deficit," the size of which he could not estimate, is covered by a "loan" from the Government, which, however, does not directly control the operations, but does own onethird of the stock of the public corporation. Another third is owned by nine private commercial radio stations, and the final third is owned by public investors through 12 private banks, and one individual — the company president, with a nominal 25 shares. There is a controlling board of directors of 5, of which two are government, two from private broadcasting and one from the public. There is only one program to date, transmitted by five stations, now covering 65% of the population. By June, 1960, repeaters will have been installed to expand coverage to 85%. Operations are all in the European standard television bands, utilizing bands 1 and 3 and selected channels in those bands. Whereas radio is "practically uncontrolled" as to programming content (except for news which is censored by the Salazer government, oldest dictatorship in Europe), tv is controlled by decree through a program board of leading authorities. As a consequence, there can be no crime, violence, sex or politics on Portuguese tv. The operators feel these controls are too restrictive. Government • Actually, the Government can call the shots on program USSR quiz shows Although broadcast quiz shows may be on the wane in the U.S.A., they're just beginning to wax hot in the U.S.S.R. as a means of putting across various Soviet propaganda objectives to people in other countries. After inauguration of the quiz show technique in shortwave broadcasts to Great Britain, several European countries and the Near East (Broadcasting, Oct. 12) — and offering trips behind the Iron Curtain as the most attractive prizes — Radio Moscow has announced that it will broadcast a quiz program to the U.S. on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. EDT. The subjects will be on Soviet "economic advances" and "The SevenYear Plan" and contestants aren't required to be present at Moscow studios. Top prize in the quiz to be shortwaved to the U.S. is a Russian-made camera and consolation prizes include new Russian stamps, books, wood carvings, photographs of Russian cities and "rocket badges." The program will be on the 9, 11, 15 and 17 mc shortwave bands. ming because the law setting up RTF designates it a public utility. This law, enacted in 1955, grants an exclusive concession for 20 years and may be renewed. Tax exemption is granted, including free import of equipment, films and all materials necessary for operation of the network. Radio is well entrenched, both on the Portugal mainland and in its extensive colonial possessions. There are 34 stations, overall. The Government maintains a network with studios in Lisbon (800,000 population) and Oporto (500,000). Most of these non-commer cial programs are beamed by shortwave to its overseas territories including Portuguese India and Africa. The tax on radio sets is $3.50 per year, which is turned over to the Government operated network, along with fines paid by owners of unlicensed equipment. Deficits are met by direct government subsidy. The most important private operations also have government connections through minority stock ownership. Radio Clube Portugues and Radio Renascenca (Catholic Church) each has outlets both in Lisbon and Oporto, and accept commercial programs. Scattered throughout the country are stations listed as "amateurs," run by local radio clubs, and controlled by the Government Department of Posts, Telegraphs and Telephones. They are commercial. Although Portugal's economy is regarded as among the soundest in Europe, it is having troubles in the export market. Its biggest export product, cork, is suffering from the competition of plastics, which apparently do most of the corkage functions cheaper. Wine is an export item, but, except for port, its products are not as well known or as cheap as those of its competitors. It is well off, however, in its overseas possessions and keeps its budgets balanced through their revenues. Four more tv stations in Australia by May Australia will have four new tv stations by next May. One starts in Brisbane next month. Others are in Adelaide (February), Perth (March) and Hobart (May). A survey of commercial tv stations shows that Sydney and Melbourne viewers like domestic and comedy shows, respectively. But the western is the most popular show in both cities. In Sydney, news is more popular than variety, the survey says. In Melbourne the reverse is the case. Foreign tv stations increase by 50% There has been a 50% jump in foreign tv stations in the past year, U. S. Information Agency reported Oct. 19. As of Sept. 30, USIA noted, there were 985 tv transmitting stations of all types and 28,047,700 receiving sets in operation abroad. This compares with 639 stations and 21.5 million receivers reported a year ago, same date. Transmitters include originating stations, relay outlets, experimental stations, etc. Free world countries overseas now 118 (INTERNATIONAL) BROADCASTING, October 26, 1959