Broadcasting (Jan - June 1940)

Television Notes Diathermy Troubles THE NEED for a strict control over diathermy apparatus to reduce and eliminate the static its operation causes to both regular broadcasting and television is becoming increasingly urgent as television developments continue, according to Allen B. DuMont, pioneer television engineer and manufacturer. Pointing out that diathermy interference "simply breaks up television images and renders video entertainment just about impossible", he declared that although the FCC has stated it has no legal power to regulate or control diathermy, since it operates in a practical sense as communication equipment, seriously interfering with broadcast commtinication, it therefore should be subjected to the same policing as other signals placed on the air. He recommended that diathermy operators be required to employ crystal oscillator controls and shielded cages for their equipment to cut down static. Television Company Financing AMERICAN Television Corp., New York, has filed a registration statement with the SEC seeking public financing to the extent of $531,250 through issuance of 425,000 shares of $1 par common stock. The statement also covers 100,000 common warrants to be distributed to dealers at one warrant for each 4^4, shares sold. New finances, if secured, will be used for the production of the company's Videor television receiving sets for the home, for development of the Tele-Sales department store television, and for a new magnetic wave phone system to penetrate mine depths. Video Prizes FIRST PRIZE contest for televiewers will start March 16 on W2XBS, New York, with NBC offering $25 for the correct answers to 15 questions based on a 10-minute mystery film which vdll be telecast. Contest, a pictorial version of the "Minute Mysteries" newspaper series, will be given a fourweek test by NBC, which has scheduled it at 8:30 p.m. Saturdays. Question cards will be mailed in advance to set-owners receiving NBC's program service, with the network expecting that the contest will add a quantity of new names to its list. PLAY'S THE THING Video Audience Pleased by Broadway Hit More Television Stations TO BACK up its promises that "New Yorkers will be able to watch the inauguration next January on their television sets," NBC is expected to file applications with the FCC for television transmitters in Washington and Philadelphia. Once these construction permits have been granted, it is said RCA will begin work on a radio relay chain connecting Philadelphia with New York and Washington with Philadelphia. Despite lack of official confirmation, it is believed that this action will begin in the immediate future, so that completion may be assured before Jan. 20, 1941. THOMAS E. (Tommy) LEE, head of the Don Lee Broadcasting System, is the subject of a personality sketch, in which he is called "Tommy Television" for his interest and work in that field, in the Feb. 10 Script Magazine, published in Beverly Hills, Cal. JOINT committee of the Associated Actors & Artists of America for the administration of employment of actors in television [Broadcasting, Feb. 15, March 1] has as yet held no meeting nor have the four members decided on the selection of the fifth member. Whose Bread, Noodles and Soup? p WBNS MOUSEWIVtS CHOOSE WBNS . . . Central Oliio's Onlv CBS Oiillol FIRST SPONSOR to have radio programs regularly televised is Sun Oil Co., whose news summaries by Lowell Thomas are heard on NBC-Blue, 6:45-7 p. m. (EST), Monday through Friday, and are now seen by New York area television set-owners via W2XBS on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. While Thomas (at desk, left) reads the news, Albert Nazimento (lower left) keeps the microphone in place and Joseph Conn (above Nazimento) focuses his camera. Edwin Stolzenberger lines up a second camera to show Hugh James (right) giving the final commercial. Kenneth Shaw, stage manager (above James) watches Mr. Thomas, cameras, microphone and clock. At left below is television's first visual trade mark, photographed by William Haussler, of NBC's photo staff, from the screen of an RCA receiver during the program. PROOF that television need not be restricted to short subjects and that audiences will watch their receivers uninterruptedly for more than an hour at a stretch if the subject matter is interestingenough, was given by the enthusiastic response by set-owners to NBC's telecast of the complete stage play "When We Are Married," on March 3. Play, currently running in New York, was presented in its entirety, consuming about an hour-and-a-quarter on the air, including two three-minute intermissions. Only difference between the stage and the television production is that in the latter the scope of the action was cut down to meet the limitations of studios and equipment. Cost of televising stage productions. Actors Equity Assn. having ruled that each player must receive a full week's salary for appearingbefore the television cameras, combined with the natural reluctance of a manager to let the video audience view the show without buyingtickets, will probably curtail frequent repetitions of this sort of telecast. It is possible, however, that arrangements could be made to televise plays at the end of their Broadway runs, when ticket sales would no longer be endangered. The experiment was completely successful, however, in disproving the frequently-raised argument that television must change the type of its entertainment every 15 minutes or half -hour to hold attention. BRASS TACKS logic/ • If 46 of Detroit's representative retailers use CKLW day in and day out, this repeat business means that their sales are on the up — and that they need the low-cost response this station gives them. If your product is sold at retail in the Detroit area — it's just brass tacks logic to tie up with a winner! mw ... for low cost response in the DETROIT area! 5000 WATTS DAY and NIGHT • CLEAR CHANNEL Representative: Joseph Hershey McGillvra • MUTUAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM BROADCASTING • Broadcast Advertising March 15, 1940 • Page 69