Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1960)

VOL 16: No. 4 3 Only network really affected is ABC-TV, which' has elected to program 2 weekly 30-min. publicaffairs shows this fall in Tues. & Sun. evening periods. Currently, sole program of this type on ABC-TV is weekly 30-min. John Gunther's High Road, which may not be in ABC-TV's fall lineup. No major program step-up is actually necessary at CBS or NBC under new plan. Both networks are already up to minimum level adopted, and existing shows — such as NBC-TV's World Wide 60 and CBS Reports— will be scheduled to conform to the plan. Are any major changes really caused by new plan? Yes, several: (1) By agreement, networks will program public-affairs shows to appear on different nights of the week, avoiding a feast-&-famine informational diet. (2) ABC-TV will now come up to at least minimum levels of public-service programming set by other 2 networks. (3) New precedent has been set for Justice Dept, dealings inasmuch as the network agreement, in effect, is a collaboration. Network affiliates are also brought into picture under new plan, which states : "Once every 3 weeks, each network will make available to its affiliates a half-hour period out of time earmarked as above so that affiliates may originate [public-affairs] programming on a local basis in that period." Stations will now have to step up their own local efforts in this area and syndicators will get a new, ready-made program market for public-affairs shows. Plan will go into effect after elections "in view of the intensive public-affairs coverage between the political conventions & election day," networks agreed. John S. Hayes, pres, of WTOP-TV Washington, and one of most active CBS-TV affiliates, applauded the plan. "I think that affiliates' reaction is going to be favorable," he said. "It's going to work. Constructive. It pins everyone down to specific performance. I'll bet the stations end up selling the shows, but they've got to learn how to sell them." Jack Harris, chmn. of NBC-TV affiliates board of delegates & vp-gen. mgr. of KPRC-TV Houston, told us Jan. 22 he was "very enthusiastic" about the plan and that it wouldn't "impose a burden on affiliates" although some might have to "fortify their news & public-affairs staffs to meet this challenge." Sen. Magnuson (D-Wash.), chmn. of Commerce Committee: "It's a step in the right direction. I am still studying the plan, and it undoubtedly will be discussed at oiu forthcoming conference." (See p. 2.) INDUSTRY'S LEADERS GIRD FOR HEARING FINALE: Fresh from their quick consideration of FCC Chmn. Doerfer's prime-time-public-service suggestions (see above), networks — & NAB — take stand in Commission's programming hearing this week — for climax & finale of the massive inquiry. Very top executives will be the witnesses. They are primed with weeks of preparation, as well they should be, for this all-out effort to counteract the dozens of previous witnesses, many respected in their fields, who have indicted broadcasting with unprecedented vehemence. The witnesses: ABC, Pres. Leonard H. Goldenson; CBS, Pres. Frank Stanton; NBC, Chmn. Robert W. Sarnoff; NAB, Pres. Harold E. Fellows, Radio Code Board Chmn. Cliff Gill, counsel Whitney North Seymour. TV Code Board Chmn. Donald H. McGannon, who testified previously for the board, will speak for his own company, Westinghouse Bcstg. Co. Also scheduled — to answer ASCAP charges (Vol. 16:3 p5) — is BMI Chmn. Sydney Kaye. Hearings will run Jan. 25, 26, 28 & 29. It's doubtful whether this week will clean it up; some sessions next week are expected. INSATIABLE DEMAND FOR AM & FM STATIONS: The constantly accelerating flow of applications for new & improved AM & FM facilities hasn't abated one whit. That's certainly apparent from our latest tally of station statistics, summing up as of Jan. 1 — in connection with forthcoming publication of our annual Radio Station Directory, now in hands of the printer. FM is at the point of many hotly-contested hearings, while AM application backlog has mounted at such a tremendous rate that FCC Chmn. Doerfer recently said flatly: "If substantial improvement in our AM processing is not achieved in a comparatively short time, I shall not hesitate to recommend a freeze on all AM applications until we pull abreast of a quota we can handle expeditiously." Operating AM stations have reached total of 3,456 as of Jan. 1, up 84 from 6 months ago, while FM