Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

NEW SERIES VOL. 3, No. 16 TELEVISION DIGEST— 7 • • • • MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTION, FINANCE UHF MARKET GUIDE SHOWS UPCOMING OUTLETS: What ore the prospects for substantial number of additional uhf stations coming on air before all-channel receiver manufacture becomes compulsory April 30, 1964? We've compiled table showing status of all markets where uhf stations are now on air, authorized to broadcast, or applied for (see pp. 8-9). It tells part, but not all, of story. It shows 83 areas where uhf stations are on air, 69 where authorizations have been granted and 47 where uhf outlets are being sought but haven't yet been granted. Here's where uhf stands today: 116 uhf outlets now on air, of which 88 are commercial, 28 educational. There are 80 uhf construction permits (CPs) outstanding — 64 commercial, 16 non-commercial. In addition, there are 67 applications for uhf stations — but these applications are for only 51 channels, of which 53 are commercial, 14 reserved for non-commercial broadcasting. Column 1 shows stations in operation — and you can easily pick out prime uhf markets on basis of number of stations on air, such as Fresno, Peoria, Ft. Wayne, South Bend, Scranton-Wilkes-Borre. Column 2 gives good indication of areas which will have uhf stations on air next. These areas have construction permits outstanding, and stations can begin telecasting any time they wish. In these areas, there ore 29 authorized stations (indicated by f) which have been on air in past, but suspended operations for financial reasons while holding onto their authorizations in hopes of starting up again when climate is more favorable. Some of these stations still have equipment and could go back on air virtually at tvun of a switch. But once bmmed, twice shy — and some of these operators are extremely reluctant to start up again before allchannel set penetration is built up in their areas. And even with all-channel production virtually in sight, some present stations may have hard time remaining on air. As recently as Feb. 15, FCC authorized Montgomery, Ala. uhf to go dark for 3 months. Column 3 shows areas where there are applications for uhf stations. You'll note that 10 of the channels (indicated by t) ore contested, which means there ore 2 or more applications for same channel by different parties. This often leads to long-drawn-out hearings, even court action, before best-qualified party is determined and station gets on air — varying from several months to years. There ore shortcuts, however — such as dropouts of applicants, mergers, interim operation of station by combined group. Nevertheless, this area is imponderable in terms of time, and, of course, the more desirable the channel, the larger the market, the more likely there will be competing applicants. Channels which aren't contested ore free to be granted by FCC, provided applicant is qualified. How fast FCC will be, and how quickly permit-holders will get on air, is also unfathomable. However, in many cases, uhf grantee has much to gain and little to lose by stalling while all-channel set circulation builds up in his area. It's still g guessing game, but based on past performance we'd be very surprised to see more than 30 new commercial uhf stations start between now and April 30, 1964 — which means, by & large, uhf markets for next 12 months will mostly be uhf markets already established today. On pp. 8-9, you'll find status of uhf stations, grantees & applicants as of today. (If you find it important to keep up with uhf station starts, grants & applications on weekly basis, we suggest our TV Addenda service, which can be mailed to you weekly with your copy of Television Digest — rates on request.) i