Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1952)

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PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY RADIO NEWS BUREAU • WYATT BLDG. • WASHINGTON 5, D.C. • TELEPHONE STERLING 1755 • VOL . 8, No. 4 In this Issue: I'M El n IQ r^»3 Conventions Spur Network Expansion, pduge’l. Freeze Melting Process in Full Swing, page 2. ‘Roll Call’ for FCC Theatre-TV Hearing, page 3. Telecasting’s Mounting Dollar Volume, page U. 1952 January 26, 1952 JTAC’s Socio-Engineering Tour de Force, page UColor Controversy Stirs in Its Sleep, page 5. DuMont-Paramount Case Into Second Week, page 7. Trade Musings — Facts & Fancies, page 10. CONVENTIONS SPUR NETWORK EXPANSION: More network interconnections by time of the Chicago political conventions (Republican July 7, Democrat July 21) are probability — so that most remaining TV cities in South and Southwest can be served. Though hint of possibility was discerned several months ago (Vol. 7:48), AT&T has yet to give firm assurance it can meet dates, to anyone, including networks which appear to be taking added cities for granted in their fierce competition for convention-campaign-election outlets for already-signed sponsors (see p. 14). Importance of added coaxial and/or microwave links is manifest: Not only does network service bring immediate stimulus to sale of sets, but extended links mean that much quicker network service in relay way-cities when post-freeze station construction begins. Latter will get that much added impetus to hasten on air. Past performance of ultra-conservative AT&T generates optimism that early dates can be met, when its best-informed spokesmen go so far as to say: "We're working on it, but it's too early to be positive." Even if it weren't for pressures from stations and networks, AT&T would be eager to keep fresh the laurels it won by completing coast-to-coast hookup for the Japanese treaty conference month ahead of schedule (Vol. 7:36). As AT&T spokesman says: "These extensions are so important to the country, in connection with the elections, that we'd be breaking our necks to complete them anyway." Only 11 of the 63 TV cities in U.S. are still noninterconnected. When presently planned extensions are completed, only 3 will remain without network service, namely Seattle, Phoenix, Albuquerque — plus Matamoros-Brownsville area. * * * * As shown by our network-station map accompanying TV Factbook No. 14, AT&T's proposed TV extensions have been scheduled officially for "second half 1952," and company has been using Oct. 1 as target date. Specifically, here's what needs to be done — city-by-city — before service can begin, according to AT&T and FCC: (1) Miami : Coaxial from Jacksonville now installed for phone use but must be equipped with TV facilities — repeaters and equalizers — every few miles. (2) New Orleans: Coaxial from Jackson, Miss. , now being laid, must also be equipped for TV. (3) Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Ft. Worth, Dallas, San Antonio: Microwave from Kansas City now under construction, but an emergency alternative — coaxial from Jackson to Dallas — is more likely to meet July dates. (4) Houston : Coaxial from Dallas now in, must yet be TV-equipped. * * * $ For Miami and New Orleans, problem appears to be straightforward job of rushing previous plans. But story is different for other cities. Microwave from Kansas City is given very small chance of getting under the wire. But the JacksonDallas coaxial can be equipped for TV, probably in time. This would serve Dallas, Ft. Worth, Oklahoma City, Houston. Not widely known, however, is fact that Tulsa and San Antonio have much COPYRIGHT 1052 BY RADIO NEWS BUREAU