Americana A correspondent this week calls for an inquiry into
the amount of American material put out by BBC television. I have a feeling that its find- ings would be rather less dramatic than his own. Where he gives an average of 18 per cent. of viewing hours, the official figure for programmes of direct American origin for the whole of 1962 was 12.49 per cent, and 1961 13.06. The disparity clearly lies in our correspondent's inclusion of all programmes which 'portray the American scene.' If by this he means programines which show American influence, programmes which mention America, or programmes which are actually about America, then his figures are sur- prisingly low. Is it surprising that in this, as in so much else, this country should abSorb much from or about America? That apart, for a long • time to come the BBC will be unable to produce anything like enough material on their own to till up viewing hours. What 1 would like more of from America, though, are their longer, less re- morselessly 'popular' programnes, and also a good deal more edited reporting of the American scene.
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