Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1952)

Production of TVs went to 111,101 for week ending Jan. 25, up from 105,673 week before (Vol. 8:4). Factory inventories fell to 205,665 from 227,196 — a good drop but still higher than the 176,857 low of Jan. 4, 1952. Radio production same week was 160,764 (66,777 private label) compared to 157,574 preceding week. Radio inventory rose to 294,339 from 257,707. The Jan. 24 week's radios were: 76,079 home sets, 15,433 portables, 18,331 clock, 50,921 auto. # ❖ * * * RTMA issued revised estimates of 1951 production this week — 5,584,798 TVs compared with 7,463,800 in 1950, and 12,299,146 radios vs. 14,589,900 in 1950. The 1951 breakdown: 6,584,960 home sets, 1,264,319 portables, 4,449,867 auto. TV sets with FM circuits totaled 308,933 vs. 756,120 in 1950; radios with FM were 942,927 vs. 1,471,900 in preceding year. Of the TV sets, 16-18-in. sizes (meaning mostly 17-in. ) were far and away in lead: 2,108,594 consoles & consolettes, 1,829,695 tables, 235,872 combinations. Those with 19-21-in. ran poor second: 552,934 consoles & consolettes, 222,873 table, 65,619 combinations, 74,714 with radio. The 14-in. and smaller ran bare 250,000, and there were 958 projection-screen models listed for year. 'RETREADS' A FACTOR IN CR TUBE TRADE: Canvass of the major picture tube makers does not reveal any of them as yet in production of rebuilt tubes — though "retreads," as they're called in the trade, are admittedly capturing a slice of the replacement market. Big firms indicate they may be forced to make reconditioned tubes to meet competition; if one makes a break, it's reasonably certain others will follow. Sylvania's new trade-in policy for old tubes (Vol. 8:3) was interpreted by some to mean it would begin rebuilding tubes. But its officials firmly deny any such plans, say trade-in policy was purely a competitive move, old tubes being destroyed. RCA has new trade-in policy in works (Vol. 8:4), will make it known any day now. "Retreads" undersell new tubes by as much as half, some guaranteed a year. Rebuilding works this way: (1) Worn out tubes with undamaged glass envelopes are bought for $1.50 to $4 and shipped to factory — mostly small, reputable firms which can make a good product, though few are said to be fly-by-nights. (2) Old electron gun is taken out, tube washed, new phosphors put on screen. (3) New gun is welded in. Thus tube is virtually rebuilt from top to bottom, though some makers are said to be cutting corners by simply inserting new gun without washing out tube. For dealers and distributors, trade-ins have become source of new income. Some who used to destroy old tubes, packed in cartons as safety measure, now simply seal up the cartons and ship them back to factory. * * * Picture tube sales for new sets totaled 4,434,126 valued at $106,150,834 during 1951, according to RTMA year-end figures released this week. Curiously, there were fewer tubes sold than sets made, which RTMA put at 5,384,798 — indicating considerable holdover from preceding year. In 1950, sales were 7,473,614 tubes at factory value of $198,737,428. Trend to larger sizes continued, about 95% being 16-in. or over vs. 72% in 1950. RTMA breakdown shows: 16-18-in. rounds and rectangulars (mostly 17-in. rect.) comprised 72% of total vs. 61% in 1950; 19-in. or larger (mostly 20 & 21-in.) were 23% vs. 11%. The 24 & 50-in. tubes totaled only 18,770 units (.42%), projection units mere 480. Renewal market jumped to 674,284 in 1951 from 472,261 in 1950. Receiving tube sales were 375,645,697 for year vs. 382,960,599 in 1950 — the decrease due to decline in sales of new sets. There were substantial increases in exports, replacements and govt, purchases. Merger of Standard Coil Products Co. and General Instrument Corp. was agreed upon this week, 4 shares of SCP to be exchanged for 5 of GI. Standard Coil will operate GI as wholly-owned subsidiary, taking over plants in Elizabeth, N. J., Chicopee, Mass, and Joliet, 111. SCP makes TV tuners, and through Kollsman subsidiary makes aircraft instruments; GI’s main products are coils, condensers and record changers. Covideo Inc., 212 Broadway, New York, would be barred from representing that it manufactures coin-operated TV sets, that it is old company, that it has competent staff of engineers or adequate facilities for TV research and experimentation, under terms of initial decision filed Jan. 31 by Federal Trade Commission hearing examiner J. Earl Cox (Vol. 7:39, 44). Covideo president Sidney I. Horwatt and v.p. Louis Brown have 30 days to appeal.