Radio showmanship (Jan-Dec 1946)

sentation of the sales copy as that which goes into program production there would be no hullabaloo about pluguglies. Sustaining FARM FACTS AND FUN The price of wheat, corn, cattle or hogs, and new methods in agriculture may be all important facts to the tiller of the soil, but the farmer's horizon isn't restricted entirely to an interest in facts of this kind. Listeners to KFAB, Omaha-Lincoln, Neb., get Farm Facts and Fun, a halfhour variety show, that is both informative and entertaining. The serious portion of the program takes the form of interviews or discussions with farm folk, members of the staff of the University of Nebraska and 4-H boys and girls. Featured on each program is a salute to some citizen of the state who has done outstanding work in agriculture. No speeches are permitted on the program. The form is discussion, interview, an informal manner. Musical portions of the show feature Helen Nash, formerly appearing on Don McNeil's Breakfast Club, Club Matinee and the Kate Smith show. The Sons of the Soil are the orchestra. Popular ballads and smooth songs, an occasional western ballad, marches and novelty numbers by the orchestra are featured. Writers of the show are Bill Macdonald, KFAB Farm Service director, and George S. Round, Extension editor and director of public relations for the University. Round is known from one end of Nebraska to the other, and his goodhumored ability to meet and talk with people is carried over on the air. AIRFAX: One of the most widely-known and popular farm programs in the Midwest, it was given the top award for programs of its type by the American Association of Agricultural College Editors in 1944. Show originates from KFAB, Omaha-Lincoln, Neb., is carried by 8 of the state's 13 radio stations. In addition to KI'AB, program is aired over KORN. Fremont; WJAG, Norfolk; KDWH, Omaha; KMMJ, Grand Island; KGI W, Kearney; KODY, North Platte and KGKY, Scottsbluff. liril Broadcast: 1937. Broadcast Schedule: Saturday, 1:00-1:30 P.M. Power: 50,000 watts. COMMENT: l*iil)li( service features may l)( in pail adult education, but it takes something more than bone-dry facts to capture the listening audience. Snstaining QUOTING AMERICA In Quoting America it takes more than the opinion of a man here, another there, to represent the temper of the nation. And to get the true picture of the state of the nation, it's necessary to tap the reservoir of controversial topics which seldom get expressed in print or on the air. It is that combination which \VHEC, Rochester, N. Y., gives listeners. Qiiotiyig America is a syndicated feature developed by the Cowles Broadcasting Company, and tested successfully on seven stations throughout the country. Series presents an impartial digest of opinions on controversial subjects expressed by newspaper columnists, radio commentators and magazine editors. Leading correspondents and writers are quoted by two disinterested announcers, voicing the pros and cons of diverse current events. The program is a forum-by-quotation, presenting a cross-section of views on important national, international and local subjects. As adapted by WHEC, material is divided into two segments of approximately five to seven minutes each. Each segment is devoted to a topic in the news. Program utilizes the AV^HEC staff orchestra handling currently popular tunes of the day to give listeners a program which is Qiioting America both in news and music. A 30-minute feature, the series is aired once weekly. In Washington, D. C, Quoting America is aired over \V^OL imder the sponsorship of the Mills Company. Series there is broadcast five times a week as a five-minute feature without music. AIRFAX: First Broadcast: September 3, 1945. Broadcast Schedule: Tuesday, 9:30-10:00 P.M. Station: WHEC, Rochester. N. Y. Power: 1,000 watts. Population: 437,027. COMMENT: Series here breaks down a iiuniber of outdated taboos of the journalistic profession, and it represents a splendid vehicle for an advertiser who is interested in public service. 26 RADIO SHOWMANSHIP