R. J. E. Silvey explains how the BBC Listener Research Department works
This evening's speaker is in charge of the Listener Research department of the BBC, the function of which is to collect authentic information about the habits and preferences of the listening public and pass it on to those responsible for the programmes.
From time to time articles have appeared in the Raio Times, some by Silvey himself, explaining in detail the various means by which this is contrived.
One of the essential stand-bys of the Listener Research department is the army of ' honorary local correspondents ' that has suddenly sprung up as the result of the appeal in the Radio Times of July 12. Such was the result of this appeal that no other applications can now be considered, and, indeed, a careful final selection will have to be made from among those who have already volunteered.
The work of honorary local correspondents is only one of the many aspects of Listener Research that will be dealt with in this talk.