Radio annual (1938)

1937-ST ATIONS-1938 ik By M. H. SHAPIRO Associate Editor RADIO DAILY ik jtyA GENERALLY speaking, the individual station found itself in a stronger position financially during the year 1937 as compared to the year previous. A spot business recession made itself felt in the late fall, but this was considered more or less a part of the same aspect that confronted many other industries at the time. For the coming year the broadcasters will be under additional overhead of serious nature, particularly the independently owned affiliated outlets of major webs. The increased burden imposed by the AFM requires a minimum of $1,500,000 to be absorbed in extra musician salaries by the affiliates alone. What, if any, additional burden will be imposed upon the wholly independent stations remains to be seen at this writing. Two major problems that confronted the broadcasters in 1937 were the AFM demands and the decision to reorganize the NAB, brought to a head as a result of the musician situation. Outcome of the reorganization plan for the trade association will be found in another section of this volume pertaining to the NAB. Usual percentage of Construction Permits for new stations were issued by the FCC during the year, and important power increases were granted numerous outlets. Appointment of Frank R. McNinch as Chairman of the FCC and the resultant new setup and procedure is generally regarded as being a fair one. Utterances by Chairman McNinch and other commissioners indicate no drastic changes in policy beyond what has taken place. (For complete station information please turn to page 159)