The radio annual (1961)

INTERNATIONAL TV ROUND UP &&$&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& be replaced by transmitters of 60 kw. and 10 kw. respectively. Plans call for several more transmitters, and by 1970 TV coverage will extend to 80 per cent of the population. About 20,000 receivers have been registered so far. PORTUGAL The Portugese television network now covers 85 per cent of the country. SWEDEN With the estimated one million sets in use, Sweden has joined the select group of West European countries with one million or more TV sets. The others are the United Kingdom, West Germany, Italy, and France. Its network now consists of 35 transmitters, and plans call for a 50 station network by 1962. At present 65 per cent of the population can enjoy good TV reception. UNITED KINGDOM The British Television Advisory Committee has recommended a changeover from the present 405line TV system to the 625-line West European or CCIR system. Adoption of the latter standard with 8 mc. channel spacing, as is proposed for UHF (ultra-high frequency) in Europe, would be introduced initially in Bands IV and V. The report points out that the introduction of TV in the UHF bands provides "the last opportunity for changing to 625-line standards and in such circumstances recommends that this should be done." The Postmaster-General stated that a Government decision on the improved line standards was not likely to be taken until 1962. An official of one of the commercial networks estimated that the cost of such a changeover would be between $2 and $3 billion. Referring to color television, the report stated that while future development should be on the basis of compatibility, technical and economic limitations make it undesirable to introduce color television in the near future. The BBC launched its new Television Center in London with its first telecast in June, as the first of seven studios under construction became operational. The 45 million dollar plant occupies a 13-acre site. Four more studios will be opened this year, and the others later. LATIN AMERICA ARGENTINA The first privately-owned television station in Argentina was inaugurated in June, 1960 after an eight-year government monopoly of TV activities. The station operates on channel 9, and is owned by the Compania Argentina de Television (CADETE). In addition, there is a non-commercial station in Cordoba, operating temporarily on channel 12 with an experimental license. A third station in Buenos Aires is expected to go on the air shortly on channel 13, and following that a fourth one on channel 11. It has also been announced that 26 additional privately-owned channels will be allocated shortly for the principal provincial cities. A telephone survey of television viewers carried out in Buenos Aires showed a marked preference for the new channel 9 station over the governmentowned channel 7. This may explain a rumor that, due to high operating costs, the government-owned TV station may shortly be offered for sale to private interests. BRAZIL Television in Brazil is developing rapidly. There are now 19 transmitting stations in operation in eluding relays, and the number of sets in use is very near the million mark. COLOMBIA Officials report that a relay system to extend television transmissions to the southern part of the country is being installed and is expected to be completed soon. The Ministry of Education plans to import 20,000 TV sets for schools and colleges, and to organize educational television in Colombia. COSTA RICA Following the inauguration of television in Costa Rica on May 6, there have been reports of various other TV licenses having been granted, by the government, one on channel 9, another on channel 4 to TITV, Televitica, and a third to the newspaper La Nacion on channel 5 which went on the air in March, 1961. There is general satisfaction in Costa Rica concerning the country's "coming of age" by installing television, and the fact that the country's first TV station is in private hands rather than under government control as had been recommended by a former regime. CUBA The Telemundo network which used to belong to Barletta is now being reorganized and will be called "Television Revolution." The confiscated channel 12, which used to belong to Pumarejo, was rebaptized the "Revolutionary Channel." After freezing the bank accounts of the Mestre brothers, owners of the $12,000,000 radio and TV network CMQ, last May, the Castro regime finally took over the entire network in September, charging that the owners abandoned the plant and failed to keep it in working order. ECUADOR Ecuador's first commercial television license was granted last June, to Mr. Jose Rosenbaum for a channel 4 station in Guayaquil. This station will be called "Prima Television Ecuatoriana," and will have call-letters HCPTE. The license also provides an option to install a broadcasting station in Quito, and Mr. Rosenbaum has been assured of his choice of channels 11, 12, or 13. Located in Guayaquil's Casa de la Cultura, the new station will be powered by a Dynair transmitter operating with a power of 2 kw. Its 220 foot antenna atop the station headquarters will be one of the higher antennas in Latin America. The initial 20-hour weekly schedule will consist of approximately 75 per cent film and 25 per cent live offerings. 1056