Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1960)

WEEKLT Television DECEMBER 12, 1960 ^ \ 1960 TRIANGLE PUBLICATIONS, INC. yOL/TB: No. 50 The authoritative service for executives in all branches of the television arts & industries SUMMARY-INDEX OF WEEK'S NEWS rcc FCC MOVES TO BAR "TRAFFICKING," starts rule-making to prohibit sales ol stations held less than 3 years, with certain exceptions (p. 1). TV ALLOCATIONS — FCC still discussing. No decision reached but Commission aims for a position by the time Congress convenes. All-channel-set legislation has strong backing (p. 2). FIRST SHORT-TERM STATION LICENSE is issued— to Richard Eaton for his 5 stations (p. 3). MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP RULE would be eased under new Commission proposal (p. 9). Networks CBS & ABC REVAMP OPTION TIME. As expected, there's no major program shakeup. (p. 2). SECOND CANADIAN NETWORK gets tentative go-ahead. S. W. Caldwell's Canadian TV Network Ltd. may have difficulties meeting BBC's conditions (p. 3). Canada station grants (p. 11). Congress TV FIGHT CONTROLS BY GOVT. URGED at Senate hearings on boxing rackets. Sen. Kefauver (D-Tenn.) says new federal athletic commission may be needed (p. 3). HOUSE TV COVERAGE SOUGHT BY NAB, which urges relaxation of rule in order to permit cameras & microphones in hearing rooms. No decision on live White House TV (p. 6). Film d Tape NEW TAX RULE IRKS TV FILMERS. Their reaction to "clarification" of the TV tax ranges from annoyance to indifference (p. 7). EXTRAS SIGN COMMERCIALS PACT: SEG, SAG & N.Y. film producers reach terms; special rates established (p. 7). Consumer Electronics MORE DOLLARS PER SALE in TV this year, despite declining unit sales. Average September TV factory price was $4.40 higher than a year ago. Public increases its buying of consoles & combos (p. 15). ALL-OUT DRIVE mapped by Corning for laminated tube. Glass maker sticks with bonded approach, insists it is superior to all competitive processes (p. 15). TV RETAIL SALES in Oct. 13% below same month last year, radio sales up 10%. Full-year 1960 estimates: TV, 5,785,000 units vs. last year's 5,749,000; radio, 10.5 million vs. 8.9 million (p. 17). CONSUMER READY to start buying again, survey indicates. TV at top of list, with post-election purchase plans 21% higher than year ago (p. 17). IMPORTED TV MOVING, says Delmonico, chalking up record sales. Sears buys 4,000 of its Japanese 19-in portables for promotion-pricing at $128 (p. 18). Auxiliary Services CATV LEGISLATION considered by FCC and NAB committee — both stress "non-duplication" & "carry local-station signals" (p. 9). Programming BLOCK-BOOKING DECISION by Judge Dawson will bring no appeals from the 6 film companies (p. 5). Advertising SPOT TV RAN 4% AHEAD in 3rd quarter with $125 million in gross time billings (p. 12). Other Departments TECHNOLOGY (p. 6). FOREIGN (p. 6). EDUCATIONAL TV (p. 10). PERSONALS (p. 14). FINANCE (p. 20). FCC MOVES TO BAR STATION 'TRAFFICKING': FCC s intentions to tighten station sales policies and discourage quick-buck trafficking (Vol. 16:45 et seg.) are now definite. With 5-2 vote, Comrs. Hyde & Craven dissenting, Commission proposed to restrict sales of stations held less than 3 years, as we indicated. Exceptions would be allowed, FCC said, when "the assignor or transferor has made an affirmative showing, based on probative evidence, to support his assertion that due to inadequacy of operating capital, to death or disability of station principals or of key management personnel, or to other changed circumstances affecting the licensee or permittee occurring subsequent to the acquisition of the license or permit. Commission consent to the proposed assignment or transfer of control will serve the public interest, convenience & necessity.” In proposing the new rules (comments due Jan. 16), the Commission gave these reasons: "The frequent turnover of a large number of broadcast stations is a matter of concern both to the Commission & Congress. Voluntary sales of stations which have been held by their owners for short periods raise questions as to whether they are engaged in trafficking in broadcast interests and whether the resultant uncertainty on the part of station personnel and disruption in operating continuity causes programming deterioration incompatible with broadcasting in the public interest." Commission also offered statistics on turnover, as we disclosed previously (Vol. 16:45 p5).