NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1941)

Fletcher, Bell Telephone Laboratories; UHF Transmission, Ken¬ neth A, Norton, Federal Communications Commission; UHF Tubes, E. D. McArthur, General Electric Company. Special Features — E. K. Jett, “Communications in National De¬ fense”; Dinner, Ft. Hayes Hotel; Basketball Game — Ohio State vs. Purdue; G. C. Southworth, “Wave Guides”; and Banquet, Ft. Hayes Hotel. The Conference is to be held at Columbus, Ohio, between F'ebruary 10 and 21. Full details may be obtained by addressing Dr. W. L. Everitt, Director of the Conference, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, Outlook for Radio Remarks oj Neville Miller, President, National .1^sociation oj Broadcasters — America’s Outlook for 1941, MBS, Sunday, December 29, 1940. Available reports indicate that you, the American radio listeners, have purchased ten million additional radios in the past year, increasing the total number of sets in use to more than fifty million. It is safe to say that in 1941 there will be more listening to radio than in any previous year. What this means in terms of national unity ; what it means in maintaining the morale of the nation will be well illustrated later in this evening when the President speaks to the nation. Through radio, his voice is within the hearing of every man, woman and child in the nation. If there be a threat to our home security our leaders now may sound the warning to all within the matter of seconds where before the days of broad¬ casting, hours, weeks and even months were required. It is of the greatest importance that this system of mass communication stand up in times of need. In the past year the American system of privately operated, competitive radio was given its greatest test. Both a presidential campaign and a world war were upon us. Both combined to create problems of programming and operation without precedent in broadcasting experience. I believe that the record turned in is another tribute to American enterprise and to the sincerity of the American broadcaster in serving the public interest. Candidates of the contending parties were given equal opportunity before the microphone. Debates and challenges filled the air in typical .Amer¬ ican style. -As we listened to the candidates we heard the issues explained. We made up our minds and w'ent to the polls and voted as free men and women are privileged to do. .And having made our choices we now forget our differences and rally behind our leaders in the common defense of our homes and of our liberties. This is the essence of democracy and .American Radio is proud to be its voice. In the year ahead, radio’s responsibility to the home and to the nation will be greatly enlarged. The reporting of our national defenses, day by day, and hour by hour if needs be, is a prime responsibility. The cooperation of radio with government, with the .Army and Navy is growing as new situations arise. The religious, the educational and the cultural contributions of radio must and will go on. .And none the less important will be the programs of entertainment and amusement to bring us moments of diversion and relaxation in the trying days ahead. We wall need, as well, the inspiration of great music, of great drama and of great artists. These radio will bring us. The service of radio to agriculture, to commerce and to the consumer will not be diminished. Also it is with confidence that we can look forward to further progress in the radio art, technical and otherwise. .All in all radio enters 1941 proud of its past and come what may in this new year our microphones arc ready and prepared for the task. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION FCC FINANCIAL QUESTIONNAIRE Several points have arisen in connection with the filing of the Financial Report required by the FCC. FCC Rules and Regulations require this Report to be filed on or be¬ fore March 1. It will be recalled that last year the Com¬ mission granted an extension of time, to .4pril 15, to those stations which requested it and set forth justifiable rea¬ sons for the delay (N.AB Reports January 12, 1940, p. 395 1 ) . The matter has been again presented to the Commission and there is every hope the same procedure will be fol¬ lowed this year. It is suggested to those stations finding an extension necessary file application therefor with the Commission at a reasonable time before IMarch 1. In addition to this final report, it will be noted that the Commission also requests the submission by January 15 of an “.Analysis of Station Broadcast Revenue”. Such report is for the purpose of aiding the accounting depart¬ ment of FCC to determine the financial position of the industry in advance of the availabilit}^ of final data. Broadcasters are requested, wherever possible, to cooper¬ ate. This request of the Commission is not a demand order, but merely asks for advance information from those stations which can supply such income information in advance. It should be further noted that the Commis¬ sion requires all financial information on an accrual basis, which means that all business performed in the year 1940 would be included in the revenue schedule regardless of when the service is billed or finally paid for. Most sta¬ tions will have such information readily available in the form of sales reports. N.AB feels that there is value in the advance filing of the revenue schedule and, therefore, urges those stations who can supply the information required by January 15th, to make every effort to do so. Those stations not finding it possible to complete the schedule should so ad¬ vise the Commission and set forth the reasons for their failure to comply. FCC ANNUAL REPORT Following is the FCC’s summary of its annual report to Congress, covering the year ended last June 30: In an annual report which incorporates important developments since the close of the fiscal year, the FCC chronicles new mi'estones in the advancement of broadcasting, and cites augmented duties in supervising radio, telephone, telegraph, and cable in connection with the national defense program. This streamlined report is almost half the size of the one last year. To summarize some of its highlights: N.ition.xl Defexse — The Commission's particular role in the preparedness program is to “police’’ radio communications. In January 3, 1941 — 9