Broadcasting (Jan - Jun 1944)

Delay Pending Better Video Is Endorsed by CBS Affiliates Support Network Stand on Post-War Television And Kesten Statement on RTPB Panel SUPPORTING its proposal for the application of wartime electronic developments to post-war television before it is granted full commercialization, CBS last week released the results of a survey of its affiliated stations. They voted overwhelmingly in favor of improved standards and a statement by Paul W. Kesten, CBS executive vicepresident, pointing out that Committee 3 of the Television Panel of the Radio Technical Planning Board had unanimously passed a motion which "contained recommendations almost identical with Columbia's recent proposals." CBS statement noted the follow ing similarities between its own proposals and the recommendations of the committee, whose members included representatives of RCA, Philco, General Electric, Du Mont, Zenith, Farnsworth, Stromberg Carlson, Howard Hughes Productions, NBC and CBS: CBS RECOMMENDATIONS: vastly improved television pictures as soon as possible after the war. RTPB recommendation: "This committee looks forward to the eventual establishment of a television service of exceptional quality." CBS RECOMMENDATIONS: wider channels to permit more detailed pictures, channels at least 14 or 16 megacycles wide. RTPB recommendation: ". . . considerably wider channels will be required for such service, ... at least 20 megacycles wide." CBS RECOMMENDATION: move television "upstairs," in frequencies above 200 megacycles. RTPB recommendation: "the Committee recommends that a number of channels be allocated above the 6 megacycles channels (this means above 290 megacycles)." CBS RECOMMENDATION: double the present number of channels from 18 to 36, to increase competition and provide better service. RTPB recommendation: "It should "be understood that at least 30 channels . . . would be required for national allocation. . . ." THE RTPB COMMITTEE ADDED: "It was felt that ample provision should be made at such frequencies for experimentation with color television and high definition monochrome (black and white) television." CBS similarly recommended that the proposed new standards should be used for full color television as well as vastly improved black and white pictures. CBS statement did not, however, conclude the quotation from the committee, which wound up: "It was the firm belief of the committee that it would be premature to consider standards for television operation in wide channels at ultra-high carrier frequencies since laboratory and field experience Detroit Video Sought INTERNATIONAL Detrola Corp., Elkhardt, Ind., pre-war manufacturers of receiving sets and equipment now engaged in war production work, has applied to the FCC for a construction permit to build a Channel 2 commercial television station in Detroit. A similar application has also been filed for a Detroit commercial video outlet by the Jam Handy Organization, industrial motion picture firm, Detroit. Channel is assignment requested. WTAR Norfolk, owned by Norfolk Newspapers Inc. (Ledger-Dispatch and Virginian Pilot) also filed last week for a new FM station to be operated on 46,500 kc with coverage of 5,702 sq. mi. Estimated cost is $39,805. with television systems operating at these frequencies is wholly lacking." Explaining that CBS was calling attention to this committee action because the committee's other motions approving present video standards had been publicized, Mr. Kesten pointed out that the present standards were approved only as the best means of using the present narrow bands for black-andwhite pictures, adding that CBS agreed wholly with this. "The idea that any informed engineer of any responsible company has closed the door on the improved television we are pleading for is absurd," Mr. Kesten declared. "Engineers aren't like that — as this courageous and honest resolution which they passed clearly indicates. "The differences between the RTPB recommendation and our own position is merely one of time and timing. The 15 company spokesmen who passed this recommendation used the word 'eventual.' We say 'eventually' may be too late. Let's whittle down the period of delay to a year or so, let's get better pictures at the earliest possible date, let's give them to the public quickly instead of 'eventually'." Returns From Questionnaire Returns of the CBS video questionnaire from 91 of its affiliates showed all but one favoring the stand that even though a year or two may be needed to accomplish it, the degree of improvement over pre-war video standards represented by the "post-war" illustrations in the CBS report justifies the concerted efforts of manufacturers, broadcasters and Government toward that end. All stations answering believed that some increase in television effectiveness and popularity would result from full-color pictures, with estimates of the amount of this increase ranging from 55% to 1,000% and averaging 263%. Of the broadcasters who had seen present television pictures, only 19% thought them good enough to induce widespread consumer purchasing of receivers at $200 and up and only 1% thought them good enough to permit two hours of continuous viewing without eye-strain. 50,000 WATTS CLEAR CHANNEL NBC AFFILIATE MEMBER TQN The combined effective buying income of San Antonio, Austin and Corpus Christi — three key markets in WOAI's primary area — skyrocketed 41.6% In 1943 over 1942! Figures are from "Effective Buying Income" estimates in the Survey of Buying Power issue of Sales Management, published May 10. Use WOAI to tap this immense buying power. WOAI sells more merchandise to more people in Central and South Texas than any other single medium — at a lower cost per sale! OAI Sort rikfotUCr Represented Nationally by EDWARD PETRY & CO. THE POWERFUL ADVERTISING INFLUENCE OF THE SOUTHWEST Page 28 • May 15, 1944 BROADCASTING • Broadcast Advertising