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W. Earl Hall World War II stories, 1944
Letter #46
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slug-British Radio -4 By W. EARL HALL Globe-Gazette Managing Editor Letter No. 46 London, England--For some 6 weeks I've been exposed to a government operated system of radio--the British Broadcasting corporation, familiarly known as BBC. On 2 occasions I've used its facilities for shortwave broadcasts to America and elsewhere in the world. I've listened to the BBC news and musical programs, brought in by receiving sets in England, Scotland, France and Eire and, in these two broadcasting experiences referred to, I've had the opportunity to observe the BBC sending techniques at close range. Naturally, even inevitably, I've been prompted to draw contrasts and comparisons between BBC and the American radio to which I've become accustomed since its evolution in 25 years from plaything into one of the nation's greatest industries. The first thing that impressed me, I should say, was the fact that the British don't call it radio. To them it's wireless. They know, of course, what you're talking about if you call it radio but that isn't their designation. Perhaps the next most noticeable difference between American radio and British wireless is the absence here of what we in America know as "commercials." another word for advertising. American radio is wholly supported by advertising; here it's supported by the government, quite largely if not entirely by a tax on receiving sets. Whether this is good or bad depends wholly on individual viewpoint. Those who find advertising grating to their sensibilities would find relief listening to a British wireless program. There's no breakfast food, soap or liver pills. Neither, by the same token, is there a parade of big names in the entertainment world, except as they are borrowed (with advertising deleted) from American network programs designed for our fighting men. BBC gives over hour upon hour each day to a continuing broadcast to the forces. It consists of newscasts at specified times, music of all kinds from hill billy and jive from America to its own symphony orchestras. To the listener brought up on American radio, this program seems much brighter than the BBC production for its homefront audience. Coming over on the Boeing Clipper with a group of English people, most of them associated with some branch of government, some of them en route home from the Breton Woods, N. H., monetary conference, I gained the impression that the BBC system was far more highly regarded than the American broadcasting to which they had been exposed. But in my checkup among rank and file people here, I have found more than a few who regard British wireless a bit stuffy in comparison with American radio. The dislike of advertising met up with among those on the plane is anything but universal. An interesting manifestation of this was observable before the war when a commercial station in Luxembourg, copying American radio methods, developed an amazing audience in the British Isles. Right now the possibility of establishing like stations on the European continent, or indeed on anchored ships in the open sea not subject to the radio regulations of any nation, is a subject frequently discussed. American radio stars, particularly comedians such as Bob Hope, Fred Allen, Jack Benny, Edgar Bergen and Gracie Allen, are widely known here. A number of Britishers told me they thought their own Tommie Handley is "faster on the uptake" than any of our American comedians. He really isn't bad. Two other favorites on the BBC are Ben Lyons and his wife, Bebe Daniels. After a career in Hollywood, Bebe as a full-fledged star and Ben just short of stardom, they came here and took up roles in the BBC comedy program. Today they are more widely known in the British Isles than they ever were in America. But the real appeal of the British wireless system is its hourly newscasts. There is a singularly orderly arrangement of the news in a concise script. Announcers read it rather slowly and in excellent enunciation. There is a studious avoidance of color or emotionalism. If the world came suddenly to an end, I am quite sure it would be coolly announced by a BBC newscaster giving as his authority the British ministry of information. -- 30 --
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slug-British Radio -4 By W. EARL HALL Globe-Gazette Managing Editor Letter No. 46 London, England--For some 6 weeks I've been exposed to a government operated system of radio--the British Broadcasting corporation, familiarly known as BBC. On 2 occasions I've used its facilities for shortwave broadcasts to America and elsewhere in the world. I've listened to the BBC news and musical programs, brought in by receiving sets in England, Scotland, France and Eire and, in these two broadcasting experiences referred to, I've had the opportunity to observe the BBC sending techniques at close range. Naturally, even inevitably, I've been prompted to draw contrasts and comparisons between BBC and the American radio to which I've become accustomed since its evolution in 25 years from plaything into one of the nation's greatest industries. The first thing that impressed me, I should say, was the fact that the British don't call it radio. To them it's wireless. They know, of course, what you're talking about if you call it radio but that isn't their designation. Perhaps the next most noticeable difference between American radio and British wireless is the absence here of what we in America know as "commercials." another word for advertising. American radio is wholly supported by advertising; here it's supported by the government, quite largely if not entirely by a tax on receiving sets. Whether this is good or bad depends wholly on individual viewpoint. Those who find advertising grating to their sensibilities would find relief listening to a British wireless program. There's no breakfast food, soap or liver pills. Neither, by the same token, is there a parade of big names in the entertainment world, except as they are borrowed (with advertising deleted) from American network programs designed for our fighting men. BBC gives over hour upon hour each day to a continuing broadcast to the forces. It consists of newscasts at specified times, music of all kinds from hill billy and jive from America to its own symphony orchestras. To the listener brought up on American radio, this program seems much brighter than the BBC production for its homefront audience. Coming over on the Boeing Clipper with a group of English people, most of them associated with some branch of government, some of them en route home from the Breton Woods, N. H., monetary conference, I gained the impression that the BBC system was far more highly regarded than the American broadcasting to which they had been exposed. But in my checkup among rank and file people here, I have found more than a few who regard British wireless a bit stuffy in comparison with American radio. The dislike of advertising met up with among those on the plane is anything but universal. An interesting manifestation of this was observable before the war when a commercial station in Luxembourg, copying American radio methods, developed an amazing audience in the British Isles. Right now the possibility of establishing like stations on the European continent, or indeed on anchored ships in the open sea not subject to the radio regulations of any nation, is a subject frequently discussed. American radio stars, particularly comedians such as Bob Hope, Fred Allen, Jack Benny, Edgar Bergen and Gracie Allen, are widely known here. A number of Britishers told me they thought their own Tommie Handley is "faster on the uptake" than any of our American comedians. He really isn't bad. Two other favorites on the BBC are Ben Lyons and his wife, Bebe Daniels. After a career in Hollywood, Bebe as a full-fledged star and Ben just short of stardom, they came here and took up roles in the BBC comedy program. Today they are more widely known in the British Isles than they ever were in America. But the real appeal of the British wireless system is its hourly newscasts. There is a singularly orderly arrangement of the news in a concise script. Announcers read it rather slowly and in excellent enunciation. There is a studious avoidance of color or emotionalism. If the world came suddenly to an end, I am quite sure it would be coolly announced by a BBC newscaster giving as his authority the British ministry of information. -- 30 --
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