Broadcasting (Oct 1931-Dec 1932)

STATION NOTES ONE of the most extensive programs ever to be put on the air by an educational radio station was broadcast by WNAD, the University of Oklahoma station in Norman, Nov. 15, 16 and 17, in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Oklahoma's statehood. The Nov. 16 program was broadcast by remote control over WKY, Oklahoma City. The broadcasts were arranged by T. M. Beaird, program director; Walter Emery, chief announcer, and William H. Witt, chief of continuity, all of WNAD. WNAD, which operates on 500-watt power on 1010 kc, has moved into a $5,000 studio in the Student Union building. A commemoration program celebrating the tenth anniversary of the station was recently broadcast. WITHIN 11 hours, the KNX (Hollywood, Cal.) Newspaper of the Air issued 32 extra editions on the presidential election. First reports were broadcast at 3:30 p.m., PST, and bulletins were carried thereafter until 3:15 o'clock the following morning. Twenty newspapermen aided in tabulating returns and writing interpretations. WGAR, Cleveland, has inaugurated a news service for distribution among its clients and other advertising agencies. Under the heading of "WGAR Scoop," the mimeographed bulletin carries brief accounts of the station's activities. MUNICIPAL Radio Station WRR, Dallas, will be paid for by May, 1933, if the present rate of reducing the indebtedness is maintained, according to the city auditor. Recently $38,000 was spent in rehabilitating the station, of which John Thorwald is manager. WKAQ, San Juan, Porto Rico, with the cooperation of the Porto Rico tourists committee, is broadcasting a special series of programs designed to attract listeners in this country. The programs are scheduled Nov. 14 and 28, Dec. 5 and Jan. 5. WKAQ broadcasts with 1 kw. on 1240 kc. LISTENERS assisted in picking talent for WINS, New York, as a part of the "Discovery Hour" program. Several untried entertainers made their debut on Nov. 19, and selections were made by the WINS staff in accordance with expressed wishes of the unseen audience. AFTER setting a new high record for the presentation of symphonic and vocal selections from the classics last summer, devoting slightly less than 10 per cent of the total broadcastingschedule to that type of music, CBS has increased this to more than 12 per cent. The network's fall and winter schedule calls for more than two hours of classic music out of the 17 hours of daily broadcasting. This new all-time high record is composed of regularly scheduled features, exclusive of international and other spot broadcasts of symphonic music which would add several hours to the grand total. THE WAAM Happy Hour began its ninth year of continual daily broadcasts recently. Sponsored by I. R. Nelson, owner of the station, and Mrs. Nelson, the religious program, designed to reach shut-ins and invalids particularly, has built up an extensive audience. Letters in praise of the hour come from all parts of the world. John A. Scott is director of the feature. WBAL Test Extended A THREE-MONTH extension of its special experimental authority to synchronize with WJZ, New York, was granted WBAL, Baltimore, allowing it full time operation, by the Radio Commission on Nov. 29. The authority would otherwise have expired Dec. 1. Radio Drama Realism In Beech -Nut's Serial Made by World System AN INNOVATION in radio dramatic realism is promised with the launching of the new electrical transcription serial, "Unknown Hands," sponsored by the BeechNut Packing Co. and prepared by the World Broadcasting System. The program will be started on 15 scattered stations the week of Dec. 19, with others to be added Jan. 1. Headed by Pedro de Cardoba, Eunice Howard and Roberta Beatty, the Beech-Nut cast includes such other stage and screen headliners as Donald Woods, Johnny Kane, A. J. Herbert, Madeline Gray, Mark Smith, Florence Earle and Royal Cutter. In plot, action and dialogue, "Unknown Hands", rivals a season's best seller. It is from the pen of Walter Craig, program director of World Broadcasting System. Director Craig has utilized every means to make the players visualize the atmosphere desired so that they in turn may transmit it to their unseen audiences. First, he presented a private showing of South Sea Island films for the cast; then he prepared a stage with full settings and required the players to dress in appropriate costume so that the full effect of a theater performance could be obtained. The actors and actresses also went through all the business they would perform on a legitimate stage instead of gathering about a microphone and reading lines in turn. In every case, of course, the entertainment feature is precisely the same, but in accordance with their previous demonstrated success of the practice in the east, local announcements in each section feature different Beech-Nut products. In this way, the local merchant is given the fullest support through the featuring of the particular Beech-Nut food products which his community likes best, or that he may wish to push hardest. Furthermore, these merchants link themselves directly with the Beech-Nut program by displaying in their stores and in their windows posters announcing the series. "Unknown Hands" will be heard over KPRC, KDYL, KOL, WDAF, KOIL, KOIN, WKY, W M C, WFAA, KHJ, KFRC, KLZ, WOCWHO, WSMB and KWK. Now Uses Radio AN EXCHANGE arrangement has been made by KMOX, St. Louis, with the St. Louis Star & Times, whereby the newspaper presents three 10-minute news broadcasts over the station and in return gives KMOX a half-column ad daily. All the news comments are made by Holland E. Engle, announcer, and go on the air after an O.K. from Elzey Roberts, publisher of the newspaper, former chairman of the A. N. P. A. radio committee and until recently one of the bitterest critics of radio. Beech-Nut's lowest cost per inquiry is through ACUUM PACKED STEEL COT *ech-Nut Coffe' EECH-NUT'S popular "Chandu" program — broadcast five times a week over more than thirty stations — is producing inquiries in the Metropolitan Boston area at a lower cost than in any other section of the Beech-Nut advertising territory . The complete tabulation shows WNAC leading all stations. The startling differences in cost percentages emphasize the importance of WNAC in any national spot campaign. It proves again that WNAC is the key to the Metropolitan Boston market. The BEECH-NUT program is also on two other Yankee Network stations, WEAN in Providence, and WDRC in Hartford, both of which are producing inquiries at a lower cost than the average of all stations used. SHEPARD BROADCASTING SERVICE, Inc., BOSTON Business Office: One Winter Place Exclusive National Sales Representative SCOTT HOWE BOWEN, INC. New York Chicago Detroit Kansas City San Francisco Omaha December 1, 1932 • BROADCASTING j WYANKEE NETWORK M\ 11 'WFROM WHICH NEW ENGLAND HEARS ITS RADIO -W-M Page 25