Radio annual and television yearbook (1939)

7-tube all-wave class, usually table models. Domestic radio manufacturing is very small. Sources of Supply — Transmitting equipment is almost exclusively from the U. S., while the U. S. furnishes 92 per cent of the total radio imports of Mexico, the remainder being from the Netherlands and Germany. The principal competition is from Philips. The trade estimates that Philips business in Mexico doubled in 1937. German makes include Telefunken, Punto Azul, Saba, Lorenz, and Mende. Patents — There are no patent difficulties in the sale of radio equipment. Tariffs and Restrictions — Duties were increased in January, 1938, and again changed April 30. The present rates are : Transmitters, 8 centavos per legal kilo, receivers with cabinet, 2.50 pesos per legal kilo, receivers without cabinet, 1 peso per legal kilo, tubes, 15 centavos each, antennas 40 centavos per legal kilo, separate loudspeakers 40 centavos per legal kilo, cabinets with loudspeaker 1.20 pesos per legal kilo, cabinets 1.20 pesos per legal kilo, and parts 40 centavos per legal kilo. Parts must be specifically for radio to come under this rate. Short Wave — With the growing popularity of allwave reception, there is an increasing interest in United States short-wave programs. Practically all short wave stations in the United States are clearly receivable. Other western and European stations are heard regularly and are popular. Progressive improvement in Mexican broadcasting stations and other transmitters have improved reception and eliminated interference. Chain Broadcasting — There is no chain broadcasting at present, although special hookups are arranged for outstanding occasions, such as addresses by the President. Authority to require chain operation for the transmission of the official bulletins which every station is required to broadcast is given in the regulations. Programs — Vocal and instrumental Mexican music, news, classical musicals, comedies, dramas, and comic dialog make up the typical Mexican program. The requirements regarding program content outlined in the regulations brings special emphasis on nationally characteristic material. Advertising — The largest users of radio advertising time appear to be breweries and manufacturers of medicinals, beauty preparations, and cigarettes. These four industries advertise on a national scale. Other radio users are largely localized. Rates do not as a rule include talent. Stations reserve the right to maintain artistic standards. Some stations make extra charge for announcers' services. Rates for one of the leading stations range from 65 to 155 pesos per half hour, each hour of the day being priced differently. Quarter hour rates are about 60 per cent of the half hour charge. Discounts on contracts range up to 20 per cent for more than 100 broadcasts. Transcriptions — Transcriptions are used quite freely. Regulations require that any speech be in Spanish. Sets in use — 350,000. Stations — 100. # NETHERLANDS General — The number of sets registered in the Netherlands on March 31, 1938, was 705,156. Sales were again quite seasonal, especially during the Christmas season when the variation is quite pronounced. Philips, supplying 70 per cent of the market, has discontinued a 15 per cent summer discount. It is estimated that between 40,000 and 50,000 sets are sold annually. As a result of increased prosperity of the past 2 years, the volume of business has become quite satisfactory. The potential demand has been estimated at 170,000 sets annually. Patents — The importation of American radios in the Netherlands on a commercial basis is not permitted because of the control of basic patents by the Philips Company. Although doubt has been expressed of the validity of these patent rights, any dealer attempting to import American radios is liable to an injunction action in the courts of this country. No case up to the present has been carried to the highest court of appeal, so that the question is still in abeyance, but the position of Philips is considered to be a strong one. As a practical matter the Philips concern continues to enjoy control of the market. Television — Television in the Netherlands is still in the experimental stage, although the progress already made in overcoming technical difficulties would, it is reported, justify the utilization of television in the Netherlands to the same extent as is being done in England, where performances are being given regularly. The Philips concern has secured a number at its laboratories at Eindhoven. The reproductions obtained with the company's newly developed 22-tube sight-and-sound receiver are considered satisfactory even when compared with the best obtained ihus far elsewhere. With iconoscopes built in it own laboratories, both outdoor scenes and motion picture films can be transmitted direct, without the intervention of photography, by socalled interlacing at 25 pictures per second ; in this manner, larger and clearer pictures are obtainable. There are still many improvements needed, but Philips has introduced complete television transmitters and receivers. This is some indica tion that the technical difficulties are being surmounted. Short Waves — More all-wave sets are now being offered for sale in the Netherlands because the Netherlands is interested in developing short wave broadcasting with its colonies and because listeners desire the option of tuning in on the short wave band. In general, however, the average listener prefers the long and standard wave transmitters from Hilversum and Kootwijk. On the same band, he has the lond and standard wave programs of neighboring countries at his disposal. Little or no interest has been displayed in the ultra short wave. American short wave programs can be received in the Netherlands but the great obstacle is the difference in time which makes clear reception possible only with very selective sets. Programs coming from the United States which are only to be had with difficulty and at an inconvenient time possess some novelty ; this, however, is soon lost especially when the average listener, with a moderate priced set, may tap the long and standard wave stations of nearby European countries offering good and diversified programs. Broadcasting — Broadcasting in the Netherlands derives its revenue almost entirely from voluntary contributions to one of the four broadcasting associations in the Netherlands. These associations publish periodicals, subscriptions to which as well as advertising therein are an important source of revenue. Owners of receiving sets pay no license fee but every set must be registered with the postal authorities. Advertising — Broadcast advertising is prohibited by law. Transcriptions — Considerable use is made of phonograph records for broadcasting but the market for American transcriptions, even without advertising, is negligible. Sets in use— 705,156. Stations — 4. 950