Radio daily (Oct-Dec 1949)

Monday, November 21, 1949 RADIO DAILY 5 Plans Of Gov't Laid For Anti-Trust Suit ★ THE WEEK IrV RADIO * Board Revamps NAB Operations (Continued from Page 1) force the nets to comply with the chain broadcast rules, for instance, have been adjudged weak by Justice Department lawyers. Chairman Wayne Coy is said to have asked for additional funds in the coming fiscal year to police these rules, but the anti-trust lawyers feel that the Commission is hamstrung because it does not have licensing authority over the nets themselves. As recently as the early part of this month Coy is said to have sought to dis:ourage early filing of the suit. There is reason to believe that the notices several weeks ago that pending renewals of the owned-and-operated stations of ABC, CBS and NBC have b3en granted only temporarily were connected in some way with the Justice Department's reported anxiety to move in with a complaint. Among the matters on which the anti-trust lawyers are said to be prepared to base their case are the essential similarity of network contracts with stations and with advertisers, the whole pattern of networkstation relationships — including alleged network dictation of station time rates and availabilities, and spot sales by networks. That the case has come as far as it has is evidence that the Justice Department clearly feels the chain broadcast rules have not succeeded. Pressure for the burying of the case has been strong, but there is considerable Congressional support for the action. Among those said to be interested is Rep. Harry Sheppard of California, long a foe of the nets. FCC Okays WKAQ Deal; P. R. Publisher Takes Over San Juan, P.R. — FCC approval of the sale of WKAQ to the El Mundo Broadcasting Company by IT&T was announced here yesterday. Purchase price of WKAQ was reported to be $325,000. Angel Ramos, publisher of El Mundo, Puerto Rican daily newspaper, who has operated WEMB, will exploit the new station as "Radio El Mundo." 'Whistler' Coast Rating Tops Nielsen Report (Continued from Page 1) ventures of Sam Spade," and Burns & Allen. The average rating for Nielsen's Pacific "Top Twenty" was 13.9, as compared with a 14.5 average rating for the "Top Twenty" group nationally. Bernie Sobel Gagsters Guest Bernie Sobel, editor of the Theater Handbook, will be guest tomorrow at the luncheon meeting of the Gag Writers Institute to be held at the Headquarters Restaurant. PLANS to suspend operations of the Broadcast Measurement Bureau on December 31 except for servicing operations on the second Study were announced af ..er a meeting of the Bureau's executive committee. I he decision to suspend was made unanimously by BlViris three component organizations — NAB, AAaA, and ANA. The NAB board of directors met a day later and administered the coup de graje to rilviB, but voted to set up a new corporation to take over its assets and iunctions. Ihe new organization will have the same tri-parcitie sponsorship. The board also voted to invite the FM Assn. to join NAB, and top FMA officials indicated that the otter probably would be accepted. . . . Jack Shelley, of WHO, Des Moines, was elected president of the National Assn. of Radio News Directors, succeding Sig Mickelson, as the NARND ended its annual convention in New York. The day of "unseen radio buying" is over, Bob Dailey, radio director in McCann EriCKson's Cleveland office, told 121 station executives attending a two-day sales clinic in that city sponsored by the Ohio Assn. of Broadcasters. Among the types of information now required by agencies and advertisers eyeing the radio market, Dailey listed data on station coverage and popularity, program appeal, audience listening habits, audience types, composition, and loyalty, cost per listener, program promotion, and merchandising cooperation. . . . Hal Davis, publicity director of Kenyon & Eckhardt, New York, was named a vicepresident of the agency. Two other K & E executives were upped to v-p's at the same time. . . . The Texas Company will sponsor the Metropolitan Opera's Saturday afternoon broadcasts on ABC for the tenth year starting Nov. 26. Dean John E. Drewry of the University of Georgia announced that Jan. 9 is the deadline for entries in this year's Peabody Awards competition. Winners will be announced at a luncheon meeting of the Radio Executives Club of New York on May 4. Peabody Awards for outstanding television programs will be made this year for the first time. The Gillette Safety Razor Co., announced plans for the radio and TV sponsorship over CBS and CBS-TV of the Rose Bowl game to be played at Pasadena, Cal., on Jan. 2. . . . The NAB is prepared to throw its full weight behind the fight to prevent local taxation of radio stations, General Counsel Don Petty said. This week the Association will file a brief as friend of the court to support the petition for <re-hearing by KGHI and KARK, Little Rock, Ark, which have been carrying the ball in the legal battle against the $250 annual tax on stations and the $50 personal tax on time salesmen. The U. S. Supreme Court refused to reverse a State Supreme Court de cision which had upheld the Little Rock city authorities who levied the taxes. Benjamin Cohen, assistant secretary-general of the UN, paid tribute to "the outstanding coverage of United Nations during the past year by the broadcasters" at a luncheon in the Rainbow Room of the RCA Building, New York. Said Cohen, "Through this public service alone they have evidenced their dedication to the public interest, convenience." WNEW, New York, 10-kw indie, was sold for a reported $2,000,000 to a new corporation headed by Bernice Judis, vice-president and general manager, and Ira Herbert, vicepresident in charge of sales, in association with six Providence, R. I. businessmen. Arde Bulova and Milton Biow were major stockholders among the former owners of the station. 'Greatest Story' Wins Freedom AM Award (Continued from Page 1) place in the radio category was won by "Cavalcade of America," sponsored by the E. I. duPont de Nemours Co. on NBC. The two program series were among some 200 American organizations, productions, and individuals which received cash awards and medals from the Freedoms Foundation in what will become an annual event. The award categories ranged from comic strips to sermons. The radio division prizes are $2,000 for first place and $750 for second place, plus a gold medal. Joins CBS Rcdio Sales Harold Davis has been appointed an account executive for CBS Radio Sales, effective immediately. Formerly assistant commercial manager for WCAU, CBS affiliate in Philadelphia, he replaces Edward Larkin. now with Radio Sales-Television. you'll wish this trip to Los Angeles lasted longer! A flight to Los Angeles on "the Hollywood" is a short one no matter how yon look at it. Actually, you leave at noon and arrive at 8:30 p.m., stopping only at Chicago en route. But the timetable is hard to believe. WHiat with the superb service aloft, United's delightlul hospitality (including delicious full-course meals), and the pleasant companionship ot your fellow-passengers, the flight seems even shorter. UNITED AIR LINES