ABSTRACT
Initially, the fascination of radio was its magical quality: its marvellous ability to generate sound from an apparently lifeless box; its capacity to allow even the most isolated soul to listen to the very best music or the finest orator, without moving from the comfort of the fireside. Some may have abstained from listening voluntarily but evidently other causes prevented maximum set ownership. Furthermore, many listeners would have visited the homes of relatives or neighbours to hear programmes in the early stages when sets were relatively scarce. This would have considerably swelled the numbers listening regularly. The basic desire to listen was easily obstructed by inadequate transmitters or receiver facilities. Listeners wanted the immediacy of news reception, excitement from sporting commentaries, and entertainment from music or drama. The BBC’s Regional Scheme subordinated the local cultural and social needs of listeners to national, economic, technical and even bureaucractic considerations.
