Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

4— TELEVISION DIGEST FEBRUABY 18. 1963 Celier's 'Honest Labeling' Bill: FCC would hold hearings on “public interest” operations before granting TV licenses or renewals under measure (HR-3283) introduced by Rep. Celler (D-N.Y.). Bill would amend Communications Act to give FCC authority to consider whether station had engaged in any deceptive practices — rigged quizzes, payola, etc. — before renewing license. (FCC now has such authority.) Networks & stations also would be required to announce “fictitious” programs as such. Persons claiming injury from “fictitious documentaries” would be permitted to sue. Celler said many crime series give impression that they “are right out of the files of police agencies” and other govt, organizations. “If the viewers knew that the programs were entirely fictional," he stated, “at least a substantial proportion of them might choose to watch TV fare whose quality was more dependable.” He said this might force producers to upgrade their shows. No censorship is intended, Celler claimed, but he said that FCC already has authority to authorize stations to reject or refuse programs which is contrary to public interest, and that new law would merely spell out Commission’s authority more clearly. Bill to prohibit pay-TV (HR-3281) also was introduced by Celler. “Race, space, reds & feds” on TV information programs are beginning to bore public, according to TV Guide Editor Merrill Panitt. He told luncheon of International Radio & TV Society in N.Y. that medium has a “crisis fixation,” tends to base about 75% of information shows on space, cold war, politics & integration — avoiding controversial subjects that might offend groups. Network public affairs depts. must overcome taboos & self-censorship restricting them, Panitt contended, adding “perhaps then they will decide that television now is strong enough to tackle truly controversial subjects.” Investigation by FCC of NBC-TV’s Feb. 8 Today show was demanded by Rep. Whitten (D-Miss.), who said program was in poor taste, cast reflection on character of “the (Governors of 2 States and a former Member of this body, now deceased.” It’s understood that “Premise” group of satirists depicted Governors Baniett (Miss.) & Faubus (Ark.) and Rep. Rankin (Miss.) going to Heaven and finding that God is a Negro and that they had a skit portraying children givdng a “jazzed up” rendition of the Lord’s Prayer. Advertising’s image can be improved by improving its substance, NAB Pres. LeRoy Collins told Houston Ad Forum last week. Despite “great improvements” in past few years, he said, ad industry must meet challenge of “enlarging and refining the quality and responsibilitj of advertising.” Collins told group first step toward upgrading advertising’s quality & ethics is to not make mistake of underrating public, which can discern between good & bad ads. New Philadelphia rep office will be opened March 1 by Katz Agency to handle national TV spot business originating in Philadelphia agencies. Office will be headed by Edward Papazian, who has resigned as media dir. of Gray & Rogers’ TV-radio dept. Location will be 1102 Land Title Building. Affiliates-vs.-network rivalry is shaping up in ABC-TV ranks concerning ABC’s Sunday Night Movie series. Reason: station with sizable film budget can buy features for local exposure that are every bit as good as movie product bought by networks. Thus, station can think in terms of 70^ on spot dollar (after agency & rep commissions) rather than station-compensation share of network dollar in feature-film show. Example: On Feb. 17, ABC affiliate KATC Lafayette, La. pre-empted ABC’s Sunday movie show to screen “Mr. Roberts,” one of post-19.50 films distributed by Seven Arts, as local special. Pre-emption of network shows other than features at local level to televise new movies is not unusual in such cities as Miami, Nashville, Hartford, Sacramento & Columbus, 0. Network feature film shows, however, continue to attract nationallevel sponsors. NBC’s new Monday Night At The Moviee now has 23 participating sponsors, with Ford, Liggett & Myers, Lehn & Fink, Beech-Nut & Clairol buying into series in past fortnight. Instant German version of recent “CBS Reports” interview with Chancellor Konrad Adenauer set new marks for speedy overseas distribution of U.S. network film show; it was televised in Germany, with no language barriers, only 2 days after U.S. telecast. How it was done: Dr. Adenauer answered questions, in German, asked by CBS newsman Daniel Schorr. In U.S. version, running translation of Adenauer’s statements was done with English “voice-over.” In German version, Schorr’s questions were handled with German “voice-over” with Adenauer speaking his native tongue. German telecast, incidentally, was done with Euro\nsion feed from .Amsterdam. Success secret for women in communications indu.strj* was thumbnailed in N.Y. this month by a gal who ought to know: Syhda Dowling, a ^'p of Benton & Bowles. Addressing N.Y. Chapter of American Women in Radio & T\’^, she cautioned AWRT-ites that “if you lose with grace & humor, you win in the end,” and that way to get along with clients in business was to work “with each other, not at each other.” Putting fresh touch on technique that has worked for Cleopatra, Madame Pompadour, et al., she urged “if you have to disagree, disagree without being disagreeable.” “Third-stage” of non-fiction TV has begun with programs such as manned space-shots, Telstar launching & election coverage, according to CBS-T\’ vp John Karol. He told Terre Haute Advertising Club that comprehensive depth coverage of public affairs has replaced first 2 stages in medium’s growth, which were straight news reports & acceptance of news programs as permanent part of primetime schedules. Karol said emphasis now is shifting to search for new forms of non-fiction programs, such as White House tour. Political pollster Louis Harris has signed 6-year contract with CBS News. He’ll work exclusively with CBS in political research. Harris was consultant to networks news election unit in 1962, devised Vote Profile Analysis techniques for reporting returns. Suspension of equal time for 1964 Presidential & Vice Presidential elections was proposed in bill (HJ. Res. 247) by Rep. Harris (D-Ark.). Measure would permit programs such as Kennedy-Nixon debates in 1960 election. Harris said bill would receive quick action by his Commerce Committee.