Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

NEW SERIES VOL. 3. NO. 12 TELEVISION DIGEST— 3 Higher prices will be sought for U.S. syndicated shows abroad (mostly telefilms) by TV Program Export Assn, this summer. Back in N.Y. from 6-wk. global survey of TV markets, TPEA pres. John G. McCarthy said that payment in Britain, Japan, Australia, West Germany, etc. was largely "inadequate," that his group planned to push with every means short of actual boycott for "cooperative action" among members to raise prices. A particular McCarthy gripe : Japan has $3.3 million ceiling on import shows, which spells top price of only about $1,000 per half hour for market with over 12 million sets. PROGRESS TOWARD CATV REGULATION: Go-ahead to seek regulation for community antenna industry has been given by nation's CATV operators. Following National Commimity TV Assn, board vote (Vol. 3:7 p2), NCTA spokesmen went to grass roots in regional meetings, obtained virtually unanimous agreement on proposed legislation. However, negotiations between NCTA & FCC aren't through yet. Major area on which agreement is needed : Should proposed FCC regulation of CATV apply in communities with more than one station? Apparently, CATV operators are ready to accept regulation in one-station markets — but believe govt, controls in multiple-station communities would make operations almost impossible. Here's how : If CATV agrees not to carry out-of-town-originated programs simultaneously with local telecasts of same programs, such cut-outs could be managed. But they believe cut-outs of 2 or more out-oftown signals would create a shambles of their service. Incidentally, there now appears to be good chance that FCC will drop its proposal to forbid CATV duplication of local-station programs for 30 days before & after local telecasting; apparently. Commission is leaning toward agreement to prohibit only simultaneous duplication. One sticky piece of litigation is about to be resolved, meanwhile. In Clarksburg, W. Va., CATV operator Fortnightly Corp. (which also owns Reporter magazine) is buying local WBOY-TV (Ch. 12) & WBOY for $950,000, from Rust Craft Bcstg. (Berkmon interests). Rust Croft has 2 suits pending against Fortnightly, directly or indirectly. In U.S. Dist. Court (W. Va.), it charges Fortnightly with unfair competition. In Washington, before U.S. Court of Appeals, it has suit against FCC for failing to regulate CATV. Neither has gone to trial yet; both will be dismissed when sale is approved. CATV resolved another problem recently, when N.Y. Bell system was persuaded to reverse position and grant systems pole attachment rights. Negotiations were conducted by Triangle Publications' Roger Clipp & Jerrold Electronics' Daniel Aaron, whose firms are partners in Binghamton system (below). Bell decision is expected to sjxirk growth of more systems in N.Y. state. Aaron, incidentally, is joining Zal Garfield, former asst, to Jerrold pres., and Pete Musser, as partner in CATV & general business brokerage & management firm (1616 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Kingsley 5-8285). Another telecaster is entering CATV: John Dille, pres, of WKJG-TV Ft. Wayne and WSJV Elkhart-South Bend, heads group building system in Lafayette, Ind. in partnership with Jerrold. i ), : Freeze on microwave ^ants to CATV systems, in Business Radio Service, will be lifted, FCC decided, if I grantee intends only to bring in ETV signals. However, Commission imposed condition: CATV must also agree to distribute present & future local stations’ signals over its system, too. Comr. Bartley dissented to imposition of condition. Comr. Minow dissented in part, agreeing with FCC aims but stating he saw no justification for imposing a “price” for the microwave grant. FCC still has pending proposed rule to require CATV to carry local signals as condition of getting new microwave grant. Tele-Measurements Inc., broadcast equipment sales u firm headed by J. R. (Jack) Poppele, opens N.Y. hq. at 45 P W. 45th St. (phone LT 1-9020). Tele-Measurements distributes Tele-Beam TV projector (Vol. 3:4 p7), “Simplimation” radio automation equipment, other broadcast gear. Some results of Phonevision pay-TV test in Hartford were reported last week in Zenith’s annual report, which said number of subscribers now exceeds 2,000 and “subscriber expenditures for programming are exceeding the anticipated rate.” Patterson-Liston fight was most popular attraction during first 6 months, drawing 85% of homes. Next highest was 65% for “The World of Suzie Wong.” Among others: “Notorious Landlady,” 58%; Kingston Trio special, 41%; Bolshoi, 29%; Boston-N.Y. basketball, 13%. Binghamton, N.Y. CATV system, owned by Triangle Publications (WNBF-TV) and Jerrold Electronics, can now be built, following phone company’s go-ahead on pole use. Franchise holder is Empire TV Cable Co., headed by Triangle’s Roger Clipp and Jerrold’s Daniel Aaron. City has 3 stations; cable will bring in signals of 3 N.Y. independents & educational WNDT.