Radio Broadcast (May-Oct 1925)

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176 Radio Broadcast found that applications were being made to the Post Office by certain wireless manufacturing firms for permission to broadcast programs of music, etc., for the purpose of promoting the sale of their apparatus. ENGLAND REFUSED TQ GRANT A BROADCASTING MONOPOLY IT SOON became evident that, within the circumscribed area of Great Britain, it would be impossible to permit the establishment of broadcasting stations with anything like the freedom which was being granted in America. It was equally contrary to the policy. of the British Government to grant a monopoly of broadcasting to one, or even to two or three, manufacturing firms, as this would place them in a superior position to their competitors for pushing the sale of their goods. In these circumstances, the whole question was referred to the I mperial Communications Committee. This committee is composed of representatives of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Post Office, and other British government departments which are interested in wireless. It is presided over by a member of the Cabinet, and considers all important questions of imperial policy with regard to wireless and cables. To this committee I explained the position which had arisen in America, and the difficulties which were presenting themselves in England. The Committee recommended that an endeavor should be made to induce the various manufacturing firms to cooperate in the establishment of a single Broadcasting Company, which, it was thought, might be allowed to establish stations of moderate power (say from \\ to 3 kilowatts) in eight areas, centering on London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Facts From Headquarters /COMPARISONS, if not exactly odious, ^ are frequently too easily and carelessly made. One hears it said that in England the radio people do it this way, or that, which is better or worse than our method, as the case may be. This story of affairs radio in England is authoritative and extremely interesting to any one who has wondered how England has handled her radio problems. Mr. Brown, the author, was, until last January, the Assistant Secretary of the British Post Office and in administrative control of broadcasting and other wireless activities for the Government. He tells in interesting fashion just what happened in England to the licensing system which was inaugurated when broadcasting got its real start there in November, 1922 — exactly one year after regular broadcasting service began in this country. It was the home constructor who spoiled the scheme and the revised schedule under which receiving licenses are now granted takes him into consideration. This article by Mr. Brown and "How the Government Is Regulating Radio Broadcasting" by R. S. McBride in Radio Broadcast for May, are of especial interest because they show how the two governments are trying to solve their administrative problems. — The Editor Plymouth, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh (or Glasgow) and Aberdeen. These stations would roughly cover the whole of the country. The Committee further recommended that a band of wavelengths from 350 to 425 meters should be assigned to the stations. They considered that the Broadcasting Company should not be allowed to broadcast advertising matter, or to receive payment for matter broadcast. They also considered that, as the new organization would be placed in a privileged position (in that no competitor would be allowed) it was only fair to the press and the news agencies that its operations as a distributor of news should be rather severely restricted. They proposed that its revenue should be provided mainly by a share of one-half of the license-fee of ten shillings (about $2.50) collected by the Post Office on the issue of each receiving license. In this connection, it e should be mentioned that, in Great Britain (unlike the United States), a license from a governmental authority has always been held to be necessary for each receiving set, as well as for transmitting apparatus. ENGLISH BROADCASTING BEGAN IN NOVEMBER, 1922 A/JR. KELLAWAY, who was Postmaster -ly* General at the time (he has since become Managing Director of the Marconi Company), threw himself into the scheme with much avidity; and on May 4th, 1922, he announced in the House of Commons that he had decided to allow the establishment of a limited number of broadcasting stations, and was calling a conference of the firms who had applied for licenses to open them. This conference was held a fortnight later and was at