The Washington times., 1931-01-07
Romping
Around
Radio
Dial

6hTOIuCbCIS may oOOh HONOAeNS
standard equipment for radio pro
gram builders, If NB.C. officials
heed the results o ia recent sur
vey made by their research dtvi-
sion. Statistics, kept for a period
Of months, indicate that the mu-
sical tastes of the radio audience
fluctuate definitely with seasonal
changes.
Listener demand for classical
music, the figures, show increases
gradually as the barometer de-
Scends to winter levels. And the
summer months, with their lassi-
tude and appetite for light en-
tertainment, bring a correspond
ing demand for popular tunes.
During the closing month OF
1880, the combined network of
NB.C. gave cvassical music an
average percentage of 1877, and
popular music 60.3 per cent. This
proportion, eliminating in the pre-
tentiouS classical and religious
programs Of the holiday season,
brought classical music to its
peak for the year.
Popular tunes, on the other
hand, were most dominant during
the dog days of September. the
figures show, when the balance
was 69.5 per cent for lighter Sc
lectionS as against only sos per
cent for heavier music. NB.C.
Statisticians say that the gradual
rise in classical programs during
the winter months may be ex-
planned partly by the fact that
symphonies, operas and recitals
are traditionally associated with
colder weather.
A series Of luncheon discus
Sios under the auspices of the
League for Industrial Democracy
will be broadcast over an N.B.C.
network, beginning Saturday, jan
uary 10, from LAS to 8 p. m.
The programs will consist of
discussions on timely and impor-
tant topics Of the day by we'll
known speakers.
At the luncheon to be broad
cast Saturday, January 10, DR..
John H. Gray, of Washington,
D. c., former president of the
American Economic Association;
John T. Flynn, author of Invest
ment Trusts" and DR.. Max Wink.
Ter, banker, will be the speakers.
Their subject will be Behind the
Bank Failures"
The following is self-explana-
tory:
December 30, 1880.
Radio Editor, The WASHINGTON
--. Times:
'Tt is about time something
was done to place the radio at
tempt at entertainment In re.
SpOnsible hands. The public be-
damned policy Of changing or
Omitting advertised programs or
entertainers without notice or
apology has now spread from
the brOadcasting companies
themselves to the sponsors of
advertising programs.
The latest OffenSe occurred
when the great R.-K.-O. listed
for two weeks in advance a num-
Der Of headlining entertainers
who would be presented on their
Super-special Leviathan pro-
gram. At the conclusion of
their much-advertised presenta.
ton, which turned out to be
most ordinary, at least three of
the stars named in the advance
ann0unCementS-the cream of
the lOt-were still unheard
from. Not o whisper had been
Offered as the reason for their
absence.
'"This sort Of brazen mis-
representation or indifference,
which occurs regularly in radio
entertainment, is rapidly Great.
ing bad Odor. Any radio fea-
ture the public is led to believe
will be presented should be
presented, or a very good reason
given for its laSt-minute elilni.
nation. These sentiments are
also the unanimous opinions of
a number Of other persons
among whom the subject was
discussed, and we feel sure the
majority Of radio listeners feel
the same way.
"The obvious indifference to
any courtesy due the radio au-
dience is caused, no doubt, by
the feeling that the audience is
receiving something for moth.