Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1960)

2 JANUARY 25. 1960 Meanwhile, FCC is considering whether to specify the markets where it would like to drop iit short-spaced vhf assignments imder its proposed rule-making. Subject is on agenda for next week; with all 7 Commissioners on hand, there may be a decision to name cities — perhaps 6 to 8. Extension of the Feb. 19 deadline for comments on the proposal is much sought by industry. AMST has asked imtil Jime 20. Assn, of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers seeks 60 more days to ponder engineering details. There's very good chance extension will be granted, because many at FCC acknowledge that deadline was very short for such a far-reaching proposal. Budget come through last week with FCC's reguest for $2.25-million uhf study (Vol. 15:48 p2). Its prospects are imfathomable. Sen. Magnuson (D-Wash.), who is chmn. of both Commerce Committee and the Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over FCC, said: "I haven't analyzed it yet. I haven't even gotten around to that part of the budget. I haven't any idea how the subcommittee will act on the item." He expects to hold budget hearings on FCC in about 2 weeks. ALL-INDUSTRY TV SHOWDOWN SET BY MAGNUSON: Biggest gathering of TV clans ever assembled under one Capitol Hill roof at one time has been called for Feb. 19 by Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Magnuson (D-Wash.), acidulous critic of broadcasting's program & ad practices. Chiefs of networks, NAB, TV Code Board, advertising groups — along with FCC & FTC — were summoned by Magnuson to put in appearances at 10:30 a.m. that day in Hearing Room 5110 of New Senate Office Bldg, for showdown session on TV's ills and what they are doing to cure them. He said they should be ready to discuss "tangled TV problem," adequacy of Communications Act & TV Code in covering "deceptive & fraudulent" practices, and "need, if any, for legislation in this field." Put-up-or-shut-up summit conference with industry had been pledged by Magnuson in blistering statement last Nov., when he threatened to move early in this Congressional session for legislative correction unless TV cleaned itself up (Vol. 15:47 p5). Full Commerce Committee will join Magnuson for highest-level meeting, which will be open to public & press, but won't be formal Senate hearing. "We'll just sit aroimd & talk and see what they're doing," Magnuson told us, indicating that what he sees & hears will do much to determine what he'll do next. Biggest names in broadcasting are expected by Magnuson to show up for session — along with FCC Chmn. Doerfer, FTC Chmn. Kintner, spokesmen for AAAA and ANA. Mggnuson's conference is timed to follow up scheduled Feb. 8 grandstand opening of TV & radio payola hearings by House Commerce Legislative Oversight Subcommittee (Vol. 16:2 pi). In preparation for expected sensations in that Capitol Hill show. House approved $275,000 for extra investigative expenses by oversighters this year. And subcommittee staffers were working overtime to get ready for hearings. They were reported running down payola leads in N.Y., Philadelphia and Boston in particular — and poring over subpoenaed books of Miami's Americana Hotel, where disc jockeys held much-celebrated convention last May 27-Jxme 1. Oversighters also are coimting on headlines — probably this week — when they issue report & legislative recommendations on last year's TV quiz hearings. FTC also is expected to be heard from this week with another batch of payola complaints against record manufacturers & distributors (Vol. 16:3 p8). Note : "Periscope" item in Jan. 25 Newsweek said Senate Majority Leader Johnson (D-Tex.) & House Speaker Rayburn (D-Tex.) had "quietly agreed to push for 'some kind of legislation' to curb TV abuses." We were unable to reach Johnson & Rayburn at press time, but spokesmen for them told us that was the first either had heard of any such agreement — quiet or otherwise. NETWORK RESPONSE TO DOERFER PLAN: New 3-network public-affairs agreement was adopted last week as direct result of FCC Chmn. John C. Doerfer 's Jan. 14 proposal in N.Y. that the networks evolve an evening public-affairs program strip (Vol. 16:3 p4). Joint agreement followed a Jan. 18 summit meeting of leaders of the 3 networks. Doerfer will not get his wish for a 7:30-8 p.m.. rotated public-affairs period — at least, not in form he suggested. ABC-CBS-NBC plan sets a minimum goal of "at least 1 hour per week in evening option time" for public affairs on a 52-week basis, with each network going its own way in deciding whether agreed-on hour will be one show or 2, and in what time slots.