Radio annual and television yearbook (1939)

NETHERLANDS INDIES General — There were 54,462 sets in use at the end of 1937 in the Netherlands Indies, compared with 39,028 at the end of 1936. The sharp increase was partly due to better economic conditions and partly to the introduction by Philips of a comparatively cheap model at 89.50 florins. Early 1938 sales have held up well. About 65 per cent of the sets are owned by Europeans, 19 by natives and 16 by other Asiatics. The country offers a promising potential mar ket since broadcasts are universally popular Only a limited number of models have been avail able, and these offered at relatively high prices The native market offers the greatest promise but because of limited purchasing power, this cannot be developed until cheap, efficient sets are available. A good all-wave model costing 25 to 35 florins would meet a demand of several thousand sets a year. Sources of Supply — The most popular sets are Philips and Erres, both Dutch, but some British GEC and Austrian Minerva are sold. The German Mende was recently introduced, but the Korting and Blau Punkt are now seldom found. Under an agreement with Philips, German concerns are permitted to import 600 and British 250 per year, according to reports. Patents — Owning tube patents, Philips has succeeded in definitely holding Netherlands Indies as a market closed to American tube sets. The closure developed as a result of the popularity of American sets during the early days of broadcast development, and earlier among amateurs, Philips using the right to refuse licenses as a means of preventing importations in competition. The right of individuals to buy sets abroad for delivery in the country has never been decided by the courts, although Philips agents visually notify such an importer that suit will follow if he accepts delivery. Generally the matter is dropped, however, if the importer gives sufficient assurance that the set is for "amateur" use and will not be offered for sale. Short Waves — The tropical climate of the Netherlands Indies has restricted radio developments to short waves almost exclusively. Programs — Seventeen stations broadcast primarily for European audience and 7 for the native. According to the terms of the NIROM concession programs must be developed to meet the public interest. Questionnaires are regularly distributed to listeners. Advertising — Although there appears to be no prohibition of advertising over NIROM stations, no efforts have been made to sell this service. Other stations are prohibited broadcasting anything for monetary return other than the free contributions of their listeners. No. of sets in use — 54,462. Stations — 59. # NETHERLANDS WEST INDIES General — According to official figures there are now 2,378 radio sets in the Netherlands West Indies. Seven to 11 -tube table models for short and long waves combined are the most popular sets. Patents — Philips controls patents, the colonies coming under the same patent jurisdiction as the Netherlands. Licenses to other firms have been consistently denied, with the exception of certain German companies with whom Philips has a working agreement regarding concessions in their respective patent agreement territories. Threats of civil and criminal prosecution of importers and dealers have prevented the importation of other sets for sale. Tariffs and Restrictions — There are no governmental restrictions on the importation of radio apparatus except for a duty of 15 per cent ad valorem on the factory price. Short Wave — Foreign stations received are London, Berlin, Eindhoven, and nearly all stations in the Western Hemisphere. Broadcasting — There is only one broadcasting station in the Netherlands West Indies, located at Curacao and operated by the Curacaosche Radio Vereeniging. Programs consist mainly of electrical transcriptions of dance bands of the U. S. and Latin America. Advertising — Advertising is broadcast and advertising practices resemble those used in the U. S., and are at least 95 per cent of American products. Transcriptions — Most of the transcriptions used are of American origin. No advertising transcriptions have been use. Regulations — A permit must be obtained for the installation of a transmitter or receiver. Sets in use — 2,378. Stations — 1. # NEWFOUNDLAND General — Owing to the geographical situation of the Island, owners of radio receiving sets in Newfoundland are able to receive programs broadcast by American, Canadian, and European stations. As a rule, however, reception in St. John's is poor, owing to the almost continuous leakage from street and house lighting wires, as well as from the street railway system. An additional cause of poor reception in Newfoundland is said to be the electrical phenomena associated with the Aurora Borealis and geological formations at the point of reception, which limit satisfactory short-wave reception to the late hours of the night. The street cars stop running at midnight and the improvement in reception after that hour is noticeable. During the summer months short wave reception is fairly satisfactory. The few large department stores in St. John's, as well as a large number of manufacturers' agents, handle American radio receiving sets and equipment. All distribution is through St. John's, the capital, which is also the principal commercial center of the Island. Sources of Supply — During the 1937 fiscal year the United States supplied 93.35 per cent of the imports of radio receiving sets and equipment into Newfoundland, only 4 per cent having been supplied by the Canadian Marconi Company. It is estimated that 3 prominent American makes satisfy approximately 70 per cent of the demand for American sets, the remaining 30 per cent being shared by 12 or 15 other manufacturers. Patents — There are no patents held by Newfoundlanders which affect the radio trade. Several foreign patents appear to have been registered in Newfoundland, but this circumstance has had little of no effect on sales. The preference which seems to be shown by officials of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs for the Canadian Marconi Company is believed to be based on the fact that it is an Empire undertaking, and has no reference to any patent rights. Tariffs and Restrictions— It should be noted that imports for the fiscal years 1930 to 1934, inclusive, were assessed at 55 per cent ad valorem. However, the new Customs Import Tariff, which was promulgated January 1, 1935, assesses im 951