Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1959)

EQUIPMENT. TELECASTING Antennas WLEX-TV Lexington, Ky. tower crash, 4:11, 9:9 tallest towers. 4:11, 7:6, 9:9, 21:3, 23:5, 27:4, 44:8 KTVI, St. Louis, tower down. 7:5. 28:9 Baltimore’s candelabra. 13:14, 19:12, 31:10 Tokyo’s tall tower, 18:8, 49:24 regulations on painting towers, 40:5, 42:10, 46:15 Cameras GE low-Ilght-level Image orthlcon tube, 8:13 new Marconi camera giving improved picture, to be used by CBS-TV in re-equipment, 12:8 new zoom lens produced by BBC and Taylor. Taylor & Hobson, 14:11 Marconi Mark IV camera distributed by Ampex, 28:5, 40:3 RCA large orthlcon camera tube. 29:10 EMI imported by Telechrome. 51:7 Transmitters PCC type-accepted list revised, 12:8, 40:4 Miscellaneous GiantView Electronics’ big-screen equipment for closed-circuit, 1:13 electronic volume-level adjuster for sound developed by CBS, 3:8 CBS unveils VideoScene system to blending actors with still or movie background. 6:16, 7:7 GB studio-equipment leasing plan, 11:11 complete TV station automation equipment shown by Visual Electronics Corp.. 11:11 test signals in blanking period, 15:10, 38:6 faster color film will lower production costs say Kodak officials, 19:15 Fairchild Camera <Ss Instrument Co, developing equipment to transmit photo from missile in flight. 21:18 type-approved TV monitors not mandatory until 1960. 22:5 automation at KETV, Omaha, 22:10 automation adopted slowly by stations, 24:3 portable TV & radio use on planes may be banned because of interference, 43:17 EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS WTEN, Albany, Ch. 10 booster, North Greenbush, N.Y., 7:4, 13:14, 14:11 WFBG-TV, Altoona, Pa. seeks Ch. 10 co-channel authorization, 7:6, 11:14, 12:12,, 29:11 WINR-TV, Binghamton, N.Y. uhf on-channel booster, 26:5, 34:20 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COM.MISSION (FCC) option time action, 1:4, 2:1, 3:2, 10:1, 15:2, 17:3, 18:5, 21:5, 28:7, 31:2, 32:1, 38:4 staff changes, 1:6, 2:9, 12:13, 14:12, 24:16, 49:14 year-end report by chairman Doerfer, 1:9 Cox report recommendations, 2:2, 3:5 license renewal form revision, 2:10, 6:5, 8:5, 9:5, 10:9, 12:8 Miami Ch. 10 case, 2:11, 3:11, 4:8, 8:4, 13:13; Mack-Whiteside trial, 5:8, 15:3, 16:7, 17:4, 18:5, 19:6, 20:5, 21:5, 22:5, 23:5, 24:7, 25:6, 26:5, 27:6, 28:5, 32:8, 37:3, 40:5, 44:10, 45:10, 46:5, 50:5, 52:16 Boston Ch. 5 case, 2:11, 4:8, 5:8, 8:1, 9:6, 10:9 11:6, 15:9, 29:4, 30:7, 37:3, 39:1, 45:10, 48:7 Comr. Lee's all-uhf proposal, 3:1 multiple-ownership — see network study, network study. 3:2, 6:1, 7:1, 9:2, 15:2, 25:14 28 2 44:10 post-grant protest procedure, 3:11, 6:5, 19:4 appropriation, 4:7, 20:5, 27:6, 30:7 Indianapolis Ch. 13 case, 5:7 chairman Doerfer wants more vhf channels, 6:1 network program ”tie-in” study. 6:1, 9:2, 15 2 16:8, 19:2, 26:12, 28:2 Communication Act changes on transfers & "payoffs” opposed by Doerfer, 6:1 Springfield-S't. Louis deintermixture, 6:16 27 6 37:3, 51:3 ' ’ ■‘MacFarland letter” may be waived by applicants unaer new rules. 8:5 Miami Ch. 7 case, 9:6, 14:10, 37:3 Comr. Hyde's reappointment, 13:4, 16:4, 20 6 21:5, 22:3, 23:4, 25:13 Orlando Ch. 9 case. 13:13, 14:9, 20:5, 31 6 33 4 37:3, 42:10 ’ ’ ’ upheld by court in renewing license of radio WBBF, Rochester, N.Y., 14:9 network aflEiliation regulations, 15:2 stricter cut-off dates for speeding AM applications, 15:5, 18:5 & 10, 19:6, 20:6, 21:2; FCBA meeting on processing applications, 49:6, 50:5 Communications Act amendments. 16:6, 32:6 AM-FM transmitter type-accepted list, 16:7 taking action on major Issues, 17:2 rules & regulations in loose-leaf form, 17:5, 23'4 34:4. 38:6, 43:5 towers for TV & radio remain under FCC, excluded from Federal Avaiation Agency ’procedures, 18:4 Beaumont Ch. 6 case, 18:5 temporary 3-year license to stop sale “trafficking,” 19:4 NAB requests relaxing of rules to permit “teaser” ads. 21:5, 25:6, 37:4 Atlanta AM-FM stations license renewals held up for program “Imbalance,” 21:5, 24:14. 29:9 ”ex-parte” discussions — views of chairman Doerfer outlined before FCC Bar Assn., 22:2; FPC bars private talks between its commissioners & outsiders on pending cases, 23:3, 35:3 waiver of requirement of operator on hand at vhf boosters requested, 22:5 25th anniversary for Communications Act, 23:5 revokes CP for KAKJ, Reno, Nev.. 23:9 WLBT, Jackson, Miss, license renewal protest by NAACP, 27:6 programming likes & dislikes of Comrs., 28:4 Carroll economic-injury decision, 28:6, 30:5 dear-channel AM proposal, 30:6 tenure of Comrs. extended until successors are ready to take office under bill Introduced by Sen. Magnuson. 31:5 TV stations reprimanded by letter as licenses are renewed, 32:8 liberalizes microwave rules. 33:4 mail complaints analyzed, 33:5 National Defense Executive Reserve, 34:4 report on tracking down interference, 35:3 falsehoods by New Orleans AM applicant, 35:6 new rules on AM-FM bandwidth definition, 36:5 duopoly waiver requested by 'WSLS-TV, Roanoke, denied, 37:4 Kohler strke hearing program source must be identified, stations are reminded, 37:4 composite week to be used for license renewal forms. 37:4 Comr. Hyde at ITU conference, 40:10 networks ordered to leave national TV spot representation of non-o&o stations by 1962, 41:1, 45:9, 49:10 chairman Doerfer fears FCC may be forced into greater control over programming. 42:5: ’U.S. News & World Report’ quotes him on plans to improve programming, 44:10 Barry-Enright ownership of radio WGMA, Hollywood. Fla. studied by FCC following quiz scandal, 44:10, 49:7 investigates influence of networks & ad agencies on filmed TV programs. 45:16 programming investigation, 46:1, 47:2, 48:1, 49:1, 50:1, 51:1 payola investigation, 46:13, 49:1, 50:2, 51:6 reminds Japanese radio mfr. about radiation limits, 46:21 right to assign frequencies for classified military use upheld by court, 47:14 clandestine radio opposing Cuba’s Castro from Florida Keys silenced, 47:14 Chairman Doerfer approves 3 ways to improve programming, 50:3 license renewals of Cal. AM’s held up 50:5 1959 activities reviewed, 52:2 FILM Loew’s Inc. spinoff separating radio WMGM and theaters from movie maker, 1:14, 11:14 TV film production of $105,000,000 in Hollywood in 1959, says Dave Kaufman in ’Variety,’ 2:8 firms changing to tape, 5:2, 7:9, 8:10, 32:13 new syndicated series, 5:11, 7:9, 9:14, 11:16, 12:15, 16:16, 24:18, & 20, 29:19, 30:15, 31:17, 34:13 & 14. 35:13. 37:11, 38:11, 41:15, 42:15 & 16, 43:15, 45:15. 47:13, 48:14, 49:15. 50:13 syndicated re-runs, 5:11, 10:13, 11:16, 17:18, 23:15, 25:16, 27:17, 43:15, 44:15 & 16, 46:17, 50:13 Pyramid Productions sold to Buckeye Corp., Ohio, 6:11, 33:20: Transfilm to Buckeye, 14:19 N.Y. commercial & program production, 8:10 Guild Films makes deal to distribute Hal Roach Studio TV properties, 8:14 Warner Bros, buys 160,000 shares held by Serge Semenenko, 8:15 new network series, 9:14 mergers of film syndicators with commercial film & tape producers, 9:14 Loew’s sued by David O. Selznick for 50% of TV earnings by MGM features, 9:18 Screen Gems plans to buy TV stations; other producers with outlets, 12:12; SG buys KTVT, Salt Lake City, 30:10, 31:11, 34:7 production costs rising, 12:15 Pilot films, 12:15, 13:8, 16:17, 19:16, 27:17, 29:18, 40:12 & 13, 41:14, 43:14, 44:15 & 16, 47:13, 49:15, 50:12, 51:11, 52:13 syndicators investigate home movie market, 12:15 Revue Studios, 13:18, 41:14 Hal Roach studios, 14:14, 15:15, 27:17, 28:12; Valiant Films takes over distribution, 47:13 telefilm exports, 14:15, 18:16, 24:18, 26:14, 28:13, 29:19, 30:2, 31:15, 35:13, 38:18, 39:14, 40:3 & 13, 43:15, 45:15, 47:13, 49:15; foreign sales barriers, 46:2, 48:12 all major studios in TV film production, 16:3 late John Barrymore’s 10% in 3 Warner Bros, movies sold, 16:16 Screen Gems 10-year growth, 16:17; programsfor-time barter, 23:14 Loew’s Inc. becomes Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp., 16:24 Four Star Films leasing space at Republic, 18:16; can’t buy studio, 49:16 Victor Industries, aluminum mfr., buying film libraries, 19:17 Revue Productions leads in series production for new season, 20:14 West Coast telefilm production record, 21:13 injunction by Ben Bogeaus to stop RKO from distributing his movies, 22:15, 27:18 syndicator’s own TvB proposed by Leslie Dunier of Mogul, Lewin, Williams & Sayior. 22:19 syndication sales trend is to 4-10 small market groups, regional sales being on market-bymarket basis. 23:12 MCA-William Morris competition, 24:19 commercial spot producers enter programming field, 24:19 Zlz sued for “Sea Hunt,” 24:20; series in 3rd year, 46:16; Lloyd Bridges income, 49:15 transatlantic transmission of film speedier, still slow, 25:7 syndicated sales, 25:16, 28:12 Peter Lawford becomes sole owner of “Dear Phoebe” series, 25:16 tie-in with right sales representative has boosted series production for several firms, 26:13 production of commercials shunned by leaders says Jerry Schnitzer, 26:13 Ziv TV Programs Inc. sold to F. Eberstadt & Co. & Lazard Freres, 27:3 Republic Pictures sold to Victor M. Carter, 27:3, 30:14, 33:12 20th-Fox sets up own distribution firm, 27:17; TV production, 33:12, 47:11 Ziv’s tobacco sponsors, 27:18: food, 40:13 more in network prime time, 28:15 Los Angeles syndication market, 28:13; barter deals declining, 40:6 Loew’s Inc, suit against KTVR, Denver, over feature film contract, 29:9 movie attendance up reports Sindlinger, 30:15, 36:16 features rated as to drawing power by Broadcast Information Bureau, 32:14 CBS to increase series production. 32:14 3000 movie theaters closed in 1958 reports ‘Film Daily Yearbook,’ 37:10 swap with Russia by NTA, 38:10 “HypnoVision,” 38:17 major studios fail to produce successful series, Warner Bros, being only exception, 42:15 CBS Films boosts production, 42:15 Russian cartoons packaged by Flamingo, 42:16 “The Untouchables” TV 2-part show released as movie in Europe, 43:15 producers caught between demand for more production values and rising costs, 45:4 Desilue sale negotiations, 45:16, 46:16, 50:12, 51:11, 52:14 film makers expect quiz scandals to help TV sales, 46:16 Filmaster stock issue, 46:17 Canadian expansion by series producers, 47:11 Alliance of TV Film Producers, 47:12 TV film export assn, formed by Alliance of Television Film Producers, 48:12, 49:14 Motion Picture Assn.’s view that U.S. movies are 85% “unobjectionable” not endorsed by Catholic bishops committee, 48:13 United Artists negotiates to buy Ziv. 51:10 1959 TV production reviewed, 52:4 1959 syndication & feature grosses, 52:4 network film producers, a chart, 52:9 Backlogs to TV silent movie backlog of Paramount, 5:11 “post-1948” features, 9:13, 10:13, 13:17, 14:2, 49:16; Paramount’s plans, 23:14 D. W. Griffith films & scenarios, 13:17, 17:18 British releases, 14:9, 34:10, 45:8 Sam Goldwyn’s pre-1948 movies, 26:14 theater owners plan to buy up post-1948 features as bar to TV showing, 27:10 MCA TV pre-1948 Paramount features build audience in 15 markets, 27:18; Paramount stockholders unhappy with slow returns while MCA makes quick profit, 41:20 20th Century-Fox to NTA, 31:15, 33:14, 35:9 review of feature films & use by stations, 34:2 “Felix the Cat” cartoon, 42:16 delay in releasing post ’48 features may boomerang as stations are developing other programs for late viewing says Joe Stamler of WABC-TV, N.Y.: WPIX & WRCA-TV spokesmen agree, but WCBS-TV disagrees, 45:8 Film Producers’ and Distributors’ Financial Reports Loew’s Inc.. 2:16. 9:18. 11:20, 20:24, 30:20, 37:15, 46:22, 48:20; stock. 35:18, 39:19 National Theatres Inc. debentures. 3:15: financial reports, 6:14, 14:19. 18:23, 29:23, 32:20, 35:18 Walt Disney Productions, 3:15. 6:14, 20:24, 32:20 Stanley Warner Corp., 3:15, 30:20, 50:20 National Telefilm Assoc., 4:15 Republic Pictures Corp., 6:14, 9:18, 28:20. 44:22 Warner Bros., 6:14, 32:20, 44:22, 48:20; selis ranch at Calabasas, Cal., 21:13; “Kookie” merchandising campaign, 24:15 Paramount Pictures, 6:14, 16:24; annual report, 19:21, 23:20, 34:18, 48:20 Official Films Inc., 7:14, 43:19 Universal Pictures, 8:15, 38:23, 52:20 Allied Artists, 9:18, 42:20, 46:24, 47:23 Filmways Inc.. 9:18, 47:23 Columbia Pictures, 11:20, 37:15. 51:20. 52:20 Desilu Productions Inc.. 11:20. 13:22. 28:20, 30:20, 35:18. 48:20; stock option plan. 28:20 Twentieth Century-Fox, 14:19, 22:24, 35:18, 47:23 United Artists, 17:24, 38:24, 40:13; promissory notes, 20:23, 32:20, 37:15, 49:23 major income source of employees shifts from movies to TV, 18:17 Guild Films had “deficiencies” in annual reports says SEC, 18:22, 19:22 5