Radio Broadcast - 1927, May - 61 Pages, 4.9 MB ... - VacuumTubeEra

THE LISTENERS' POINT OF VIEWConducted by John WallaceHow Long Will Radio Broadcasting Prosper?kOPING out what isgoing to happen inthe future isalways a pleasurable, ifhardly ever a profitable, pastime. Mostdopesters of radio's future are extravagant intheir prophecies of ever-widening influence andever-increasing prosperity. We are inclined toagree with them, providing they do not attemptto push therr claims too far into the future. Forit is our conjecture that radio will arrive at itsfullmaturity in a very few years. From then onits course will be no more sensational than isthat of the talking machine at the present time.And in a decade or so will come some new contraptionthat will relegate radio to as exciting andvaried career as that of a telephone operator.But this inevitable cycle could, conceivably,be nipped in the bud (astounding mixed metaphor)by the failure of radio to keep up with theexactions of a public which has already becomeinured to it;-novelty. Concerning this possibilitywe have an interesting letter from a reader,I. R. Coolidge jrd, of Brookline, Massachusetts,which presents a good analysis of the factorswhich will determine radio's longevity. Mr.Coolidge says in part:"Answering your questionnaire has promptedme to go further intothe fundamental questionswhich affect thefuture of radio inthiscountry, questionswhich radio enthusiastsdiscuss eagerlywhenever they meetand for some strangereason rarely put onpaper."Without havingany statistics at myIdisposal will assumethat there is one radioreceiver in use for 50nt. of the familiesin America, and thatB C. L.'s may be dividedinto three importantclasses:"i. Average normalhealthy citizens whobuy standard sets ingood looking cabinetsas an investment inentertainment and as-ipiece of furniturefor the living roomand because theirneighbors have one.This class spends from^i to $300.00 onan outfit once in aboutlive years and then.ihout 825 oo per yearinupkeep" For them, this investment cannot be worthwhile in the long run if most of the 'entertainment'is dance music, jazz, cheap popular songs,etc., because the same amount of money wouldpermit them to hear the original performancesat frequent intervals and to go to the dancehalls, etc., where this class of music is current.If this is to be the prevailing type of program,the majority will cease to use their receiversafter the novelty wears off. To hold the interestof this large class permanentlyit will be necessaryto provide music of very high quality indeed,not necessarily heavy classics only butany good music played by well trained orchestras,organ recitals by the most skilled players,good instrumental solos, etc., in the field ofmusic. In other fields, such as politics, education,religion, athletics, and radio plays, the samestandards must be maintained ifbroadcastingis to be permanent. Give the B. C. L. somethingat home which would be expensive or impossibleto obtain outside, and his receiver will be in useevery night."2. Invalids, shut-ins, convalescents, agedpeople, those who are hard of hearing, and thosewho have poor sight. This class is not nearlyAN INFANT PRODIGY AT WRVAConrad Rianhard, aged nine years, who is said to have mastered,to an incredible degree, many difficult piano compositionsso large numerically as the first but it is veryimportant because nearly every family has atleast one member. To this class, the radio is morethan mere entertainment; it is their constantcompanion. Instead of mere 'news flashes' agood reader could read them in detail extractsfrom the morning papers every morning, includingthe best editorial comment. The same couldbe pursued with regard to magazines and popularnovels (a chapter a day). For this class a certainamount of popular music, etc., could beworked in at appropriate intervals before thehealthy members of the family returned fromtheir daily occupations. This class does not buyradio receivers, but uses the family receiver hardand constantly. Often it is because of them thatthe receiver ispurchased."}. The smallest class, the enthusiasts andexperimenters, who buy radio parts and buildand rebuild their own receivers, constantly strivingto improve the quality, the selectivity andsensitivity of reception, always spending morethan they can afford, whether it be in tens,hundreds, or even thousands of dollars, on theirequipment. Most of the readers of RADIOBROADCAST must belong to this group, becausethey alone, among B.C. L.'s, are interestedin technical questionsand details of construction."This group hasspecial requirementsIt wants high gradeprograms just as muchas the first group, butin addition it musthave DX because DXis a definite measureof comparison betweenreceiving sets in thematter of sensitivity."The writer's classificationof radio listenersseems to us anaccurate one, as doesalso his outline of theirrespective demands.The first group, hesays, must be guaranteedfirst class entertainmentor they willgradually lose interestand finally abandonradioaltogether. Thereneed be no grave fearson this score however,for this fact is realizednumberby a sufficientof radio station operators.Of course it is notrealized byall. But thatis their hard luck. The