Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1960)

VOI., 16; No. SO 3 Stations, of course, can now kick out any shows that land outside revised network-option periods. Film syndicators are generally of the opinion that weaker network shows will be station-bounced, thus providing an expanded market for syndicated telefilms & features. Networks have meanwhile been reassuring worried agencies & clients that option-time sitting ducks are perfectly safe — so long as they maintain audience support. SHORT-TERM STATION LICENSE DEBUTS: FCC's first short-term licenses have been granted to Richard Eaton for his 5 stations, because it found he hasn't given them enough "personal supervision." The Commission had investigated his operations, queried him about them, and he had responded with assurances that he would pay more attention. The Commission then renewed his facilities until March 1, 1962, said it would review the situation at that time and see whether he had kept his promises. The stations: WMUR-TV Manchester, N.H., radios WANT Richmond, WFAN (FM) Washington, WINX Rockville Md., WSID Baltimore. The vote was close — Comrs. Hyde, Craven & King dissenting. Hyde said he dissented for same reasons he disagreed with majority on whole concept of short licenses: "I am very much concerned that this scheme of things will tend to put more & more program responsibility on the Commission in the public mind and less responsibility on the licensees where it belongs." TV-BOXING CONTROLS BY GOVT. URGED: Previously xmheard-of threats of additional govt, regulation of broadcasting — by proposed new Federal Athletic Commission — were raised last week at Senate hearings on gangster influences in big-time boxing. Televised fights must be kept clean, and establishment of new federal agency may be needed to do it, said Chmn. Kefauver (D-Tenn.) of Judiciary Anti-Trust & Monopoly Subcommittee. He said he deplored idea of setting up yet another Washington bureau, but warned that Congress may have to take the step to assure more "honesty <& uniform regulations" for ring business. Long arm of underworld touched TV as well as managers, promoters, matchmakers and all other aspects of boxing, witnesses testified at Kefauver hearings. In fact, said Secy. Truman Gibson of now-dissolved International Boxing Club, TV has become so big in mobster-ridden fight operations that: (1) Networks & sponsors actually "call the shots." (2) Sport would die without TV. (3) Interstate telecasts have made boxing "a classic example of an area that needs federal regulation" in place of state licensing. Nobody charged that networks or sponsors were in cahoots with gangland figures. But parade of ring characters told Subcommittee that contracts for big fights — & big TV purses — couldn't be arranged without deals with such notorious operators as Frankie Carbo, who now is in jail. Saddest ring saga of all was told by ex-TelePrompTer vp William P. Rosensohn. He ruefully recounted how his venture in promoting first Floyd Patterson-Ingemar Johansson heavyweight fight (Vol. 15:20 p9 et seq.) cost him $70,000. Rosensohn testified that gamblers Anthony (Fat Tony) Salerno & Charles Black muscled in on his Rosensohn Enterprises Inc., then ganged up with TelePrompTer Pres. Irving Kahn to try to push him out of his company altogether. Note: Newspaper payola practices of boxing promoters, which Subcommittee staffers have investigated (Vol. 16:46 pl2), were touched only lightly at last week's hearings. In answer to Subcommittee questions, IBC's Gibson conceded he had paid out money to undercover promoter Frank (Blinky) Palermo, but denied that he had ever put any sports writers on his payroll. 2ND CANADIAN NETWORK GETS GO-AHEAD: Canada has given tentative nod to for mation of that country's first privately-owned TV network — to compete with CBC in areas with competitive stations. OK was given to the sole applicant — group headed by big Toronto TV-film producer-distributor Spencer W. Caldwell (Vol. 16:47 p7). Caldwell's Canadian TV Network Ltd. (CTN) faces some rather formidable obstacles, however — which could keep it from getting off the ground. While approving formation of network company. Board of Broadcast Governors laid down these conditions: (1) CTN must apply for permit to operate before Aug. 31, 1961. (2) Programming time must be at least 10 horns weekly at outset. (3) BBG must approve outline of new network's programming. (4) At least 6 affiliates must sign up for network service. That last proviso may be the big rub. Only 8 grantees (3 of which are now on air) are in "competi