Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

2— TELEVISION DIGEST FEBRUARY 4. 1863 mission can't & won't censor. Sen. Curtis (R-Neb.), earlier in week, vowed he may ask for investigation of Commission after reading record. At end of week, he said he hadn't read it, still didn't know whether he'd seek probe. Aside from such, most of testimony was from witnesses who described great cooperation they've received from stations for their organizations. Criticism of stations was negligible, not worth mentioning. Station executives took stand at end of week, starting with WOW-TV's Poyson Hall, who described station's policies & procedures with great core. Though licensee, Meredith Bcstg., has hq in Des Moines, he said, there's no "dilemma" regarding "licensee responsibility" and "local autonomy" for management. COX HEARING — A BREEZE: Seldom has an FCC nominee had more felicitous setting for his Senate Commerce Committee hearing. Like doting father, Chmn. Magnuson (D-Wosh.) told FCC Broadcast Bvueou Chief Kenne^i Cox "I'd be down there [testifying for you] if I weren't up here." Cox is his protege, has handled many tough TV hearing chores for him in past years, before joining Commission. But Cox would have taken good care of himself, even before an indifferent or hostile Committee. Remarkably well informed, articulate, at ease, he fielded all questions without a blink — including those about Omaha hearing. He's likely to be confirmed this week. Committee can't vote on him imtil filibuster fight ends and Senate formally organizes itself. Meanwhile, his predecessor Comr. T. A. M. Craven received worm farewell at FCC party marking his retirement, 70th birthday and appointment as Commission consultant. Only one flaw marred Cox's Senate hearing. Sen. Thurmond (D-S.C.) said he had some questions he wanted to explore in closed session. He wouldn't elaborate, but there was strong expectation at week's end that his questions wovdd be resolved without a hearing. The "Omaha" questions come from Sen. Morton (R-Ky.), who made it clear he sees no reason for such hearings : "It raises suspicions in the community. People think something is wrong. It's a hardship on the stations." He said he understands "there may hove been some justification for the Chicago hearings." Cox simply rep>eated FCC's reasons for Omaha hearing — to learn how stations determine programs needs and meet them. He said that Chicago hearings were "useful," that Omaha sessions' value would be determined by the record, that he didn't know whether there would be more such hearings. Sen. Cotton (R-N.H.) was also concerned about FCC's activity in programming, though he send he was "impressed" with Chmn. Minow. He wanted to know why Commission asks about percentage of time given to education, etc. Cox said FCC needs a "broad idea" of programming but thert there ore "sharp limitations to its authority." Cotton asked Cox whert can be done about programs with excessive crime & violence, and Cox stated : "The most FCC can do is advise the industry of the criticism, then leave it up to the industry." Chmn. Magnuson noted that FCC had received 12,000 complaints last year, mostly about crime & violence. As for complaints about loud commercials, he said "I think I'd send a letter on that myself." Magnuson was interested in effects of all-channel-set law, asked whether it "would be in the public interest" for set makers to hike percentage of all-channel receiver production now, whether increased color-set production would help uhf, whether there's been increase in uhf applications. Cox gave these responses: (1) Manufacturers are "very cooperative," ore gradually stepping up uhfset production, even before April 1964 deadline. (2) Uhf tuner is a smaller fraction of color-set price, so color sets may have larger percentage of uhf timers. (3) Applications have increased somewhat — "but the full effects ore some years off." Among other Cox comments: FCC is doing utmost to help HEW Dept, put new federally-granted $32 million ETV funds to work; FCC has been taking "longer <& deeper" look at renewal applications during last 3 years; Commission's housing situation is "pretty deplorable" — is "Exhibit A" among federal agencies with inadequate space. Sen. Yarborough (D-Tex.) commended Commission for its handling of political controversies, got in plug for his own political-broadcasting subcommittee. Another top FCC staff appointment is in works incidentally. Economist H. H. Goldin, now chief of research & education div., would become an asst, chief of Broadcast Bureau, concentrating on policy & planning, if Civil Service Commission approves the position & grade 16 raise. This would make 3 asst, chiefs of Bureau, and new research & education div. chief would be named.