Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1949)

single coaxial circuit linking East-Midwest segmentary hookups after Jan. 11 (see map, TV Directory No. 6). "Remarkably good job," one of them called decision, though no one got all time wanted or needed. Indeed, though weekday strip commitments can be made to advertisers (except after 8 p.m.), during first half of 1949 they'll all have to sweat out a Sunday schedule that leaves much to be desired. This is how they'll divide Sundays; 3-5 p.m., NBC; 5-5:30, WPIX ; 5:30-6, NBC; 6:30-7, ABC; 7-7:30, CBS; 7:30-8, ABC and DuMont alternate weeks; 8-9, ABC and DuMont alternate weeks ; 9-10, CBS and NBC alternate ; 10-11, rotated in half-hour blocks among those stations off cable 8-10 p.m. Weekday schedules vary each day, though it's even-Steven for 4 networks 8-10 p.m., and NBC holds its Tuesday night Texaco Star Theater time (8-9). WPIX gets one of choice 8-9 p.m. periods per week, plans hooking up with sister Chicago Tribune station WGN-TV and others. Balm offered all of them was Long Line Dept.'s assurance it will push hard for additional channels before end of June (Vol. 4:51). SKOURAS SEES ONE BIG INDUSTRY: From Spyros Skouras, president of 20th Century-Fox, Radio Executives Club of New York Thursday heard: That TV will change entire pattern of the entertainment world, eventually fusing with radio and the movies (which heretofore have gotten along very well together, aided one 'another) into One Big Entertainment Industry. That he believes in a free system of home TV. but if Government permits system of toll collections for entertainment in the home, the whole concept of such an industry may change. He didn't say he was for or against such a "gadget" system (like Zenith's Phonevision) of collecting fees for programs — but the inference was pretty clear that he didn't look forward to it. For he foresaw 50-60,000,000 persons who now seldom go to the movies having their interest in movies whetted by TV promotion, and attending theaters interconnected for receiving special events programs via TV on big (and more satisfactory) screens. And he assured exhibitors their grosses would be several times what they are today. Though he called TV "the ultimate development in the amusement world," he ridiculed the idea that TV will mean the eventual destruction of movies and radio. Hubbell Robinson, chairman of panel, forecast "new money coming into TV." challenged dominance of broadcasters in the field, said an "ownership and management revolution" was coming in TV. GAROD GIMMICK & OTHER TRADE NOTES: Garod's new "Tele-Zoom" TV receiver looks like an ingenious bit of "technical insurance" — has round screen, just like Zenith's, but viewer has choice of either circular or rectangular picture by flipping switch at end of cord. Thus Garod really covers both flanks, to weather any struggle over picture shapes (Vol. 4:51). Models are 10, 12, 15-in., priced same as before (see TV Directory No. 6) ; deliveries begin Jan. 15. Other news of the TV trade: "Exciting new developments in TV" are promised by Philco to its distributors, who hold next sales conventions in Palm Beach. Fla., Jan. 5-9, in Santa Barbara, Cal. , Jan. 13-14; public won't see new models before Jan. 19. . .Emerson, which now says its 1949 TV production will be 200,000 units, holds its big distributors' showings in New York's Waldorf-Astoria Jan. 5, in Chicago's Stevens Hotel Jan. 7... GE's Dr. W. R. G. Baker says Electronics Park plant at Syracuse is now producing at rate of 200,000 TV sets a year, forecasts total industry TV sales of 1,600,000 to 2,000,000 sets in 1949, retail volume exceeding $650,000,000, market for other radios running an additional $450,000,000. Avco v.p. Ray Cosgrove, in year-end statement, says Crosley has expanded facilities for TV production to 10,000 per month. . .Magnavox also is following Capehart and Howard idea (Vol. 4:49,52), putting out 2 new radio-phono models with space for TV installation at option of customer. . . Stromberg-Carlson, one of few quoting installation as part of price of TV set, henceforth will price and advertise the set, excise and installation separately, as do most others. . . Starrett has changed its address to 601 W. 26th St., New York City, which is also address of Tele-King... DuMont is building $500,000 addition to its Air Cruisers plant, Clifton, N.J., making nearly 100,000 more sq. ft. available for tube-making facilities. . . StewartWarner has separated its radio-TV operations into an autonomous division, to be called Stewart-Warner Electric, headed by v.p. Samuel Insull Jr.