TELEVISION AND RADIO PROGRAMMES (Data of audience preferences)

Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Culture what efforts are made by the Broadcasting Division to obtain data of audience preferences in respect of television and radio programmes so that selection of programmes for broadcast may he made on a more scientific basis.

Inche Sha'ari Bin Tadin (for the Minister for Culture): Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry is considering a proposal by the Broadcasting Division to set up an Audience Research Unit within the Department to service its requirements for a regular survey of audience preferences. In this connection, the Department has had consultation with the Economic Research Centre of the University of Singapore.

Radio and T.V. Singapore has always been keen to have an audience survey since, as the Member for Katong has suggested, the selection of programmes for broadcast could be broadly based on audience preferences.

Pending approval for the establishment of the Unit, the Department is exploring ways and means of getting information, no matter how limited, on the reaction of its viewers/listeners. The Community Centre Survey presently being undertaken by the State and City Planning Organisation and the People's Association, for example, includes a few questions on Radio and T.V.