B.B.C. 2

HC Deb 13 July 1966 vol 731 c1438

19. Mr. Ian Gilmour

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects the reception of B.B.C. 2 to be extended to cover the area now receiving B.B.C. 1.

Mr. Edward Short

Stations already authorised should have made B.B.C. 2 available to about 75 per cent. of the total population of the country by 1969. The extension of population coverage thereafter will depend on the rate at which more stations are added to the U.H.F. network.

Mr. Gilmour

Does not this merely confirm that B.B.C. 2 is an inadequate vehicle for colour television and the need for another channel on which colour television can be transmitted?

Mr. Short

No, I do not think so. I think that the receiving of colour television will be limited for many years to come by the cost of the set. The cheaper set is about £250, I understand.

Mr. Bryan

The right hon. Gentleman may be satisfied with the geographical growth of the coverage of B.B.C. 2, but is he satisfied with the growth in the size of the audience'? Does not the disappointing growth in the size of the audience mean that it is a hard programme to receive'? Secondly, is it not quite the wrong channel for the University of the Air to occupy at peak periods, thus making the programme even less attractive to the public?

Mr. Short

This Question has nothing to do with the University of the Air; we shall come to that later. My point was about the receipt of colour television on B.B.C. 2. This has nothing to do with educational broadcasting.