Television in Great Britain Next Year

Abstract

THE Postmaster-General has now authorised the B.B.C. to make arrangements with the Baird Television Co., Ltd., and the Marconi-E.M.I. Co., Ltd., for the provision of completo transmitting equipment for the operation of their respective systems at the Alexandra Palace, where constructional work has already begun. It is hoped that transmissions will start in the oarly part of next year, and will be followed as soon as practicable by a regular public service. As ultra-short waves will be transmitted, it will be possible to broadcast scenes in much greater detail than can bo done to-day. Doubtless before very long many listening-in sets will be furnished with a television screen. In Germany, television is being pushod forward for political reasons; but in the United States although experimental television is an accomplished fact the business and advertising aspects of the new industry have to be carefully considered. In Groat Britain luckily advertisement does not need to be considered, and the Government dominates the whole position. The masts on the Alexandra palace will probably be about 600 ft. above sea-level, and there are few local obstructions. In the London area, it is understood that a wavelength of 6-6 m. will be employed for the visual and 7.2 m. for the sound broadcasts. As these rays are propagated in practically straight lines, their range does not extend much further than the visual horizon. The London area will be roughly a circle of radius 30 miles. There are some outstanding financial problems that have to bo settled, such as the relative values of the televising and broadcasting rights of a prize fight. In the cinema industry, coloured pictures have greatly improved, so that it only needs stereoscopic projection to perfect them.