Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

6— TELEVISION DIGEST MAECH 18. 1963 Television Digest PUBLISHED BY TELEVISION DIGEST, INC. HEADQUARTERS: 2025 Eye Sf., N.W., Washington 6, D. C. Phone: 965-1985. TWX: 202-965-0979 EDITORIAL NEW YORK OFFICE ALBERT WARREN, 580 Fifth Ave. Editor & Publisher New York 36, N. Y. JONAH GITLITZ, Circle 6-2215 Managing Editor, TWX: 212-640-6938 Television Digest DAVID LACHENBRUCH, PAUL STONE, Editorial Director Editorial Director, CHARLES SINCLAIR, Television Factbook Contributing Editor VIRGINIA SNOWDEN, Managing Editor, PHILADELPHIA OFFICE Television Factbook 1 1 1 Beverly Rd. BUSINESS Overbrook Hills EDWARD M. KELLY, Philadelphia 51, Po. General Manager Midway 2-6411 RUDOLPH SAPPER, HAROLD RUSTEN, Circulation Manager Associate Editor TELEVISION DIGEST. Published Mondays. Services: $75-$150annually. For group rotes & other subscription services, write Headquarters. TELEVISION FACTBOOK TV & AM-FM ADDENDA Published Annually Published Saturdays AM-FM DIRECTORY Published Annually Hubbell's Second Exit: Resignation of Hubbell Robinson Jr. as CBS-TV senior vp for programs is being pointed to in N.Y. as good example of how executive-echelon strife at networks can be disguised (or unnoticed) behind facade of material success. Outwardly, it had seemed that Robinson had it made. In season-to-date National Nielsens, CBS has been easy nighttime winner (8 of top 10 including first-ranked 4 shows; 16 of top 20; 21 of top 30) with much of ci-edit for sparked-up CBS current-season schedule and for coming fall blueprint going to Robinson. Also, CBS has just issued blue-chip financial report showing jump of 32% in net income for 1962. Robinson, according to insiders, isn’t always easy to get along with; firm in his opinions, he likes relatively free hand to run major program operation (a motivation backed up by his track record of successes). When he returned to CBS a year ago, after stint as independent producer, he found himself sharing conference tables with CBS-TV Pres. James T. Aubrey. Aubrey, too, isn’t always easy to live with. Talented, hard-driving, Aubrey has no hesitancy about becoming involved in all phases of CBS activities — including programming. Something close to low-pressure feud developed between Robinson and Aubrey. Now, Robinson is out again, although far from feeling the pinch (his income includes producer’s share of syndication of 87th Precinct and Thriller via MCA). In is Michael H. Dann, a cheerful, crew-cutted executive who combines showmanship flair with considerable diplomatic talents. Out also is Alan D. Courtney, Robinson’s 2nd-incommand whom Robinson brought in from an MCA spot. Into Courtney’s job goes Oscar Katz, daytime programs vp and former network research chief. Interestingly, a year ago Dann reported to Katz; now, Katz reports to Dann. 1 Effect of moves on CBS fall schedule will be minimal; j most of it is completely locked up. j Minow's Pro-Newspaper Pitch: hike Chief New Frontiersman Kennedy, FCC Chmn. Minow is assiduous reader of newspapers, considers vigorous press extremely vital. His testimony before Rep. CelleFs (D-N.Y.) inquin.’ into i newspapers’ ills reflected that amply. In years past, when Congress questioned FCC about “concentration” of TV-radio & newspapers in few hands. Commission reaction was predictable — avoid such concentration, “all other things being equal.” As Minow said last week, “all other things are never equal.” He went on | to urge — ^heresy to some at FCC — that newspapers should be helped acquire TV facilities in cities where their competitors have stations. This, he said, may keep more papers alive. He noted that few dailies with T\’’ or radio affiliates have folded. Jlinow also warmed publishers’ spirits with; “It is my personal impression that some of our broadcast licensees which are affiliated vnth newspapers & periodicals are among those broadcasters most serious about service to the public interest.” He urged papers to get into uhf swim, if they have no TV now. His enthusiasm for TVpaper combinations does not extend, however, to situations where one entity owms sole station & only paper in town. He’s against that, “with few. if any, exceptions.” (Statistics on TV-radio-newspaper ovmership trends, as given Celler by Minow, were as disclosed in Vol. 3:10 p6.) Juicy syndication plum is up for grabs — ^but there’s steep price tag. Milton Rackmil, pres, of Universal Pictures, announced last week his firm’s backlog of 215 post1948 mo^nes — one of very few major backlogs not yet committed to TV — can be had by a distributor who; (1) is \villing to pay $21.5 million with one-third down for a 7year deal, (2) will give Universal up to 50% of gross, however high it may go, after recovery of distribution fees. At this kind of pricing, distributor would have to ask more than current top dollar being sought for feature films in TV (such as pricing of Seven Arts). However, in face of current shortage of large movie packages and steady station demand, a distributor might just get such a price with little trouble. In personal testimony before House Rules Committee, rare privilege for private indi^^dual, NAB Pres. Collins urged congressman to permit broadcast reporting of House activities (Vol. 3:10 p3). “People need to see more, to hear more, if they are to do more in the discharge of their chic responsibilities,” Collins said. It can be accomplished with “very little or no obtrusiveness,” he asserted. Rep. Delaney (D-N.Y.) questioned whether broadcasters could be counted on for balanced presentation. Collins said problem is no different from that facing newspaper reporters. Kenneth Cox was finally confirmed as member of FCC in Senate vote March 15. Commerce Committee had reported him earlier in week. Sen. Thurmond (D-S.C.) sole dissenter, reasons undisclosed. Cox probably will be sworn in March 19 or 21, and he’s asking Supreme Court Justice Douglas to administer oath; both are from state of Washington. Cox will be succeeeded as chief of Broadcast Bureau by James Sheridan, special asst, to Chmn. Minow.