Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1960)

DECEMBER 19, 1960 ?. CBS-NBC aigmnents were buttressed by facts & figures on 1960's "Great Debate" series under oneshot suspension of Sec. 315 for Presidential & Vice Presidential candidates this year only. And Goldenson contributed ABC data supporting other networks' case. No candidates in history were seen & heard by more people than in 4 swift joint Kennedy-Nixon broadcast appearances — and the industry's performance demonstrated that there's no good reason why candidates for all offices shouldn't enjoy similar advantages, said Stanton & Sarnoff. Sec. 315 repeal would be thrifty for politicians, too. Stanton & Sarnoff pointed out. Stanton estimated that the CBS TV & radio networks alone spent $1,425,000 on programs presenting Presidential & Vice Presidential candidates this year — expense which the parties were spared. Sarnoff said NBC-produced political programs cost $1,686,000 — which was 66% more than the parties spent for paid NBC telecasts. Goldenson said ABC dropped $250,000 on "Great Debate" series alone. Sarnoff presented his network's case in person. CBS Washington vp Edmund C. Bunker was standin for Stanton, whose statement was read while he was at President-elect Kennedy's home for 45-min. talk on subjects ranging from TV debates to USIA. Goldenson submitted statement for hearing record. "You may be assured that great attention will be given to Sec. 315," Committee Chnm. Davis (D-Tenn.) said after hearing statements by Stanton & Sarnoff. But neither he nor any other Committee members appeared overwhelmed by arguments that equal-time protections for candidates should be removed entirely. Sec. 315 is expected to get only once-over-lightly treatment in Committee report, leaving Communications Act jurisdiction to House & Senate Commerce Committees and further equal-time hearing next session. Networks were lauded for 1960 "Great Debate" shows by Davis & others. But Davis send 4 were too many for him (first one was enough, he told Sarnoff), and questions were raised at hearings about danger to candidates from "over-exposure" on air, whether paid for or not. Rep. Cramer (R-Fla.) also said he wouldn't be willing to let broadcasters fix formats for political programming if Sec. 315 restrictions were to be lifted. Candidates should have some say, too, he said. Davis indicated that main recommendation by Committee will be that Democratic & Republican National Committees themselves set limits of 6 or 8 weeks on future campaigns vs. 4 months taken up this year. House campaign-investigating units (which have no legislative fimctions themselves) are set up every 2 years. They seldom produce lasting election reforms. Davis committee will go out of existence Jan. 3. FCC MOVES AGAINST MANAGEMENT PAYOLA: First sharp FCC action against sta tion owners (as distinguished from employes) who took record-maker payola was directed last week toward radios WAOK Atlanta & WRMA Montgomery. It ordered licensees to show cause why "cease & desist" orders shouldn't be issued against them. Stations were singled out, we're told, because they're the only ones actually frankly admitting taking payments. However, stations' Pres. Stan Raymond informed us: "I don't understand it. We told them months ago that we had ceased & desisted." He said stations had started the practice in order to control payments to disc jockeys, each getting share according to his time on air — along with vp-program dir.-DJ Zenas Sears, 1/3 owner. "Never," Raymond said, "did the payments control what records were played." Case will be cleaned up quickly, FCC staff members told us, if management accepts the cease-&desist order — and lives cleanly ever after. No hearing would be needed. It's believed that stations' action in disclosing complete details resulted in the relatively mild Commission action. Chmn. Ford, however, voted for revocation proceedings. Amormt of payments wasn't disclosed, but we're informed that it was "peanuts" compared with stations' profits, which ore quite substantial. Programming is directed at Negro market. Film & Tape Screen Actors Guild has placed Gross-Krasne Inc. on its “unfair list,” alleging that producer Phil Krasne had failed to pay actor Jerome Thor $28,988 for his services in the Rogue for Hire series. Several episodes were filmed, but the series was never sold. SAG’s action means that no actors may work for Krasne until settlement. Warner Bros, will appeal the Los Angeles Superior Court decision which freed James Garner from his contract (Vol. 16:49 p8). Judge Arnold Praeger, after upholding Garner’s contention that Warners had invoked force majeure without justification, awarded the actor one week’s pay, $1,750. He had sought a year’s pay — $106,000, but Judge Praeger based his award on the week between Warners’ suspension and Garner’s declaration as a free agent.