Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1963)

CLOSED CIRCUIT Time, gentlemen Code authority of National Association of Broadcasters wasted no time in carrying out mandate of TV code board ( see page 68) to move against repeated violators of commercial time standards. Within same week nine TV stations were told they were not complying with code and asked to resign ""without prejudice"' or alter questioned practices immediately. Three of stations written by authority are in same market. Another blacklist ? Film producers (both in motion pictures and TV) are worried over possible resurgence of mquiry into purported Communist infiltration of their fields, harking back to dark days of backlisting of McCarthy era. Senate Internal Security Subcommittee, headed by Senator James Eastland iD-Miss.). is pondering resolution adopted at American Legion's convention last month citing purported hiring of known Communists in creative jobs, largely in Hollywood. Senator Karl Mundt (R-S.D.) member of original investigating committee., has urged Eastland committee to open new inquiry. Although attack is directed against, motion pictures and especially those produced abroad, television production is inevitably drawn into area because talent, writing and other resources are drawn from same creative pools that movies draw from. Murrow's future Will Edward R. Murrow return to directorship of United States Information Agency after his recuperation from throat surgery that was to be performed last weekend? Before his hospitalization, it's known he consulted with his old network. CBS. presumably about return to fold. Until he joined government in February 1961. he was network's top news personality and at one time headed its news and public affairs operation as vice president. Italian balm It's cold comfort to ABC-TV officials now. but testimony of new television star. Joe Valachi. about Cosa Nostra's collection of Italian hoods and his own killing of another prisoner almost beneath eyes of federal prison guards confirms validity of network's position in arguments over its Untouchables program of 1960-61 season. James V. Bennett, director of Federal Bureau of Prisons, threatened to oppose license renewals of stations earning Untouchables because program had episode that made federal guards look bad. Couple of months later Liggett & Myers withdrew as sponsor of show after Anthony (Tough Tony) Anastasia. boss of Brooklyn longshoremen, threatened to let L&M products rot on docks. Anastasia threat was made because Untouchables featured dramatizations of Italian gangsters in Chicago Prohibition era. General boycott of L&M products was threatened by Federation of Italian-American Democratic Organizations of New York whose principal spokesman in Washington was Representative Alfred E. Santangelo (D-N.Y.) who was defeated for reelection in 1952. For ABC-TV irony in situation is now compounded by Valachi testimony about gangland killing of Albert Anastasia. brother of Tough Tony and, until his murder in iVeii' York hotel barbershop, key figure in Cosa Nostra. Not all's fair FCC Chairman William Henry finally has agreed with Douglas Anello, general counsel of National Association of Broadcasters, that there are new problems for broadcasters as result of FCC's July 26 statement on fairness doctrine. As climax to two rounds of correspondence (Broadcasting. Sept. 30, 23) chairman has suggested meeting with NAB representatives to discuss clarification of statement. FCC maintains it merely clarified past policy while NAB contends July document places new and unwarranted responsibilities on licensees. NAB has unofficially decided to meet with commission to seek clarification though there have been no formal talks as yet. Washington call Top lawyers for Broadcast Music Inc. met last week with Wililam H. Orrick Jr., antitrust chief of Department of Justice, in wake of reports that Justice is considering action against BMI (Broadcasting. Sept. 30). After meeting, nobody would talk. Reports are that Justice is studying complaints by American Society of Composers. Authors and Publishers and by House Antitrust Subcommittee that ASCAP — BMI's principal rival in music licensing is under tighter antitrust control than BMI. Representing BMI at last week's meeting were Sydney M. Kaye. BMI board chairman and general counsel: Samuel I. Rosenman, of Roseivnan. Colin. Kaye. Petschek & Freund, BMI's New York Jaw firm, and John Hooker, young Nashville attorney who with his brother. Henry, has been retained by BMI. Hooker brothers were active Kennedy supporters in I960. Paramount package Bullish market for post-1948 feature pictures is illustrated by this development: One major distributor recently offered $30 million for TV rights to library of 200-odd Paramount features, but motion picture company declined to consider proposal. Best bet is that Paramount, sole holdout of post-48 features among major studios, will distribute package itself, probably next year. Channel jumping Apparently stimulated by FCC move to duplicate 13 of remaining 25 I-A clear channels in U. S. is substantial increase in number of stations south of border which have squatted on channels — some causing considerable nighttime interference. Latest government reports reveal that, since 1948. number of stations in Caribbean area on 25 I-A channels has increased from eight to 67 (as of March 1. 1963): in Central America from 40 to 119. and in South America from 86 to 260. Of total, 16 are using power of 50 kw or more. Analysis also shows that as against maximum AM power of 50 kw permitted in U. S., there are 86 stations outside U. S. operating in broadcast band using power in excess of 150 kw. FCC has ordered but has not yet implemented plan to duplicate 13 I-A clears. Present status: Number of clear channel stations have appealed FCC duplication order to courts. Commission staff, meanwhile, is processing 15 applications received for II-A stations on eight of channels involved, but action on them is not imminent. Nearly on ice New addition to "'game-of-theweek" TV sports packages may soon be Major League Hockey if present discussions between Walter Schwimmer Inc. and several professional hockey clubs reach dotted line. Teams principally involved include Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens. Throwing the net As part of overall effort to increase spot radio billings, series of presentations are being prepared by CBS Radio Spot Sales for delivery before trade associations of industries that use spot radio rarely or sparingly. First such presentation was reported to have been made before gathering of hardbook publishers. Published everv Mondav, 53d issue (Yearbook Number Dublished in November, by Broadcasters Publications Inc., 1735 DeSaiei Street N. W." Washington. D. C, 20-036. Second-class postage paid at Washington, D. C, and additional offices.