Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

2-TELEVISION DIGEST JUNE 10, 1963 According to NCTA, about one-third of all CATV systems in U.S. ore served by microwaves, and both FCC & industry believe that future growth of CATV is heavily dependent on microwave. Not generally known is fact that staff has suggested 3 moves to Commission, and FCC has told staff f’.'s interested in studyii.g them: (1) Finalize proposed Business Radio rules which would give microwaves to CATVs — if latter agree not to duplicate local-station programs 30 days before or after they're telecast locally. (2) Propose new common carrier microwave rules with some conditions. (3) Move to assert, flatly, that FCC already has complete jurisdiction over all CATV systems — imder Communications Act If FCC so decides, moves (1) & (2) above wouldn't be needed. It's possible, but not certain, that FCC majority can be mustered for the "assert-complete-jurisdiction" principle; if it is, next question is whether CATVs will fight in courts and whether they'll win. Fact is that CATV suffered severe blow in court decision. Until it came (unanimously), there seemed to be stalemate — largely because Rep. Harris (D-Ark.), chmn. of Commerce Committee, so obviously favors CATV, meaning FCC could never get low it wants without CATV acquiescence. But Commission now has industry by its microwaves — and there it stands. There was no acrimony in last week's meeting. Discussion was friendly. FCC's committee comprises Comrs. Bartley, Ford & Cox. NCTA's committee included Chmn. A. J. Malin, Glenn Fliim, Robert Clark, Martin Malorkey, Bruce Merrill, Gene Schneider, Archer Taylor, plus attorneys Robert L'Heureux, E. Stratford Smith & Thomas Dowd — the last a newcomer to group, representing big RKO General NCTA committee spoke for itself, didn't represent final word of NCTA board; latter has the tough job, in Seattle this week, of deciding: "What next?" FCC SELF-RESTRAINT URGED BY LOEVINGER: It certainly isn't easy to dope out new FCC Comr. Lee Loevinger, after his appearance before Senate Commerce Committee last week. (He was confirmed quickly by Senate, will be sworn in June 1 1 by Supreme Court Justice Byron White.) When it comes to FCC actions in programming, Loevinger's watchword is "restraint." Time & again, he said Commission should "exercise restraint." On other hand, he seemed to find nothing wrong with Omaha-type hearings — "if they're conducted fairly & properly." Here's more of his thinking: "Censorship has to do with pre-publication control. FCC has no business in that. But FCC has a public-interest duty because stations have a quasi-monopoly. It challenges the judgment & conscience of the FCC. My position is to exercise restraint rather than go too for. There's less danger in restraint than in exercising too much power." The best regulator, he said, "is to have such diversity of ownership that there's real competition . . . FCC shouldn't impose its tastes on the public — any more than someone should impose his tastes on me." Asked whether there's too much violence on TV and whether FCC should do more "monitoring" of programs, he said: "My private solution is — don't watch them. This would be a much less attractive job if you're going to have to watch TV all day long. But we shouldn't disregard complaints of the public ... If a man promises classical music, then gives horse racing — then FCC con question licensees." Loevinger was asked whether stations & networks are better judges of local needs "than govt officials." Loevinger said: "Stations are — ^but I hove a question about networks. 'There are only 2 dominant networks. We need diversity of programming & control." Vhf drop-in proponents took heart from his comments: "I feel strongly about the maintenance of competition. I notice httle problem in radio. A large port of the problem in TV is that there hove been only 12 channels . . . Vote was 4-3 [against drop-ins] — so I shouldn't attempt to indicate my thinking now. I should study the record." Senators Monroney (D-Okla.) & Scott (R-Pa.) were particularly unhappy about FCC's turndown of drop-ins, Monroney complaining about Commission's change of mind over the years. Herewith ore Loevinger's views on other matters: (1) Fairness in news coverage of candidates: Loevinger said he was instrumental in getting Minneapolis newspaper to accept judgment of a special board which evaluated news reports — only such board in country. (2) Editorializing: "I believe it's working reasonably well. We should always be concerned about the workings of such a powerful medium."