So. Farewell Then…
The Observer’s Comment column is guarded on the eventual effects of commercial television. On the one hand, “Already the good effects of competition are to be seen in the more lively and alert programmes of the BBC.” On the other hand, “… it would be unwise to judge the result of the experiment too early. At first the new service has everything to gain by giving no offence to those critics who fear that commercialisation in this medium will lead to vulgarisation. The real test… will come as the pressure grows to subordinate other considerations to the necessity of providing large audiences for the advertiser who will be paying this piper.” (more…)