U. S. Radio (Jan-Dec 1960)

Washington NAB Continues Its Opposition to Proposed FCC Suspension Powers Broadcasters are waiting to see what effect the testimony of Vincent T. Wasilewski, National Association of Broadcasters' vice president for government affairs, had on members of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. Mr. Wasilewski voiced the opposition of the NAB to proposals which would allow the Federal Communications Commission to suspend radio-tv station licenses up to 10 days and to impose fines of up to $1,000 per day on broadcasters. These and other proposals were approved last month by the House committee as amendments to an omnibus broadcasting bill previously passed by the Senate, following disclosures of "rigged" quiz shows and so-called "payola" practices by certain individuals in broadcasting. Policy Committee Cites Concern Over Results of New Regulations Clair R. McCollough, chairman of the NAB Policy Committee and president and general manager of the Steinman Stations, Lancaster, Pa., said "These amendments to permit suspensions and fines against broadcasters are a matter of serious concern to the industry, and to authorize their use against a communication medium, we believe, opens up a whole new concept of government regulation." He pointed out, however, that the NAB would not oppose other amendments of the House committee to make payola and the rigging of quiz shows criminal offenses, to clarify the problem of sponsorship identification, to prohibit exorbitant payoffs for the withdrawal of competing applicants for broadcast licenses and to require public notices of filing and hearings in localities where stations are to be located. Broadcasters Voicing Approval of New NAB Radio Code Changes Sharp New Set of Teeth Aimed At Enforcing Code Provisions NAB's Radio Financial Survey Paints Healthy Station Picture U. S. RADIO August 1960 Meeting recently, the Policy Committee of the NAB said that the new radio code "has received widespread and gratifying support from radio broadcasters throughout America . . . since it became effective (last month)." The revisions in the code approved by the Radio Board of Directors of the association include changing the name from "Standards of Good Practice for Radio Broadcasters," to the current "Radio Code of Good Practices of the National Association of Broadcasters." Other changes made include making subscription to the code available to non-members of NAB as well as to members of the association. Previously subscription had been open only to NAB members. Also, the appointment of a new nine-man code review board; adoption of regulations and procedures for enforcing the code's provisions; new visual and audio symbols for subscribers, and assessment of dues from subscribers. Administration of the new code is under John F. Meagher, NAB vice president for radio. Broadcasters have been studying the results of the radio financial sur\'ey recently released by the NAB. The report shows that the revenue of a typical radio station increased five percent in 1959. According to the survey, "the typical radio station received about SI 04,000 in total revenue, with total expenses of $96,000 and a profit margin of about eight cents on every sales dollar, a slight increase over last year. Of everv time-sales dollar taken in by the typical radio station," the NAB sur\'ey (Cont'd on p. 16) 15