Dear Editor
THE call by a letter writer for the restoration of the original broadcast duration of the ‘Basil P Show ‘ (i.e. 18:00 – 00:00hr) is testimony of the popularity of this programme from its inception more than a decade ago (“Give ‘Basil P Show’ its full time” GC August 9).
The writer in making a pleading case is purporting that the broadcast entity is responsible for the curtailment in time allotted. Is this really so?
After being off the airwaves for a lengthy period of time, the programme eventually returned to its original broadcast station and time slot, much to the delight of listeners and fans. From the time of its return, the programne time was always 18:00 – 22:00hrs. It would be true to say the programme lost its right to the slot (time duration) when it was terminated and off the airwaves for a lengthy period of time. To have the programme returned to the same broadcast station and time slot as previously obtained, is a further indication of the broadcast entity’s good faith. The programme is not the station entity’s product. After all its title is derived from its producer/presenter, so the station has no rights and ownership to it. It might be further true to say the producer/presenter (who might be a freelancer) of the programme has contractual arrangements with the broadcast entity for a specified broadcast period (four hours – 18:00-22:00hrs) each Sunday. The call though worthy is constrained by other considerations which might not be conducive to a restoration at this time. But I am just on the periphery, it would be more appropriate for the broadcast entity to offer a more lucid response.
Regards
Shamshun Mohamed