Broadcasting (Jul - Dec 1944)

BILLION DOLLAR RADIO SALES SEEN Caldwell Estimates Market at 16 Million Sets; Expects Rapid Television Rise A MARKET for a billion dollars' worth of civilian radio products a year following the collapse of Germany is predicted for the radio industry and trade by Dr. Oi'estes H. Caldwell, former Federal Radio Commissioner, who has compiled 16 million radio sets 60 million replacement tubes Repair parts Batteries for 3 million portable radios Phonograph records, 200,000,000 Total radio merchandise The above figures assume that no substantial number of television sets will be distributed during the first twelve months of civilian radio sales. Within a few years, however, annual television volume may Wright Bryan of WSB Captured by Germans WRIGHT BRYAN, war correspondent for WSB Atlanta, the Atlayita Journal and NBC, was captured by the Germans on Sept. 12 near Chaumont and is now believed to be in a prison camp in Germany. He was wounded in the left leg and treated in a hospital at Chaumont, according to John Mecklin, Chicago S u n correspondent, who was cap Mr. Bryan tured with Mr. Bryan and subsequently released. Edward W. Beattie, United Press correspondent, also was captured. Mr. Bryan was the first American correspondent to broadcast an eye-witness report of the Allied invasion of France on June 6. Returning to London after a flight across the Channel, he described the beachhead landings as seen from a plane in an early morning pooled broadcast to the four American nationwide networks. A native of Atlanta, he attended Clemson College and the U. of Missouri School of Journalism before starting to work on the Atlanta Journal, which he served as city editor, managing editor and ass9ciate editor before going abroad as a war correspondent. RCA Upholds Discs RCA RESEARCH Laboratories is investigating new methods of recording on film, tape and wire, but, "in our opinion," nothing now contemplated in the laboratories or in use commercially at present shows any signs of offering such flexibility, tonal fidelity and simplicity at low cost as do the conventional disc and phonograph", RCA Victor Division of RCA reported in a letter sent last week to dealers and distributors. Letter estimates that only 15% of the potential market for records is equipped with phonograph turntables and predicts an enormous increase in record sales when phonograph production for civilian use is resumed. statistics of the radio industry for many years. Dr. Caldwell's estimates, based upon studies made by his editorial associates on the magazines, "Radio and Television Retailing" and "Electi'onic Industries," follow: retail value $733,000,000 retail value 65,000,000 valued at 90,000,000 valued at 12,000,000 valued at 100,000,000 $1,000,000,000 be expected to duplicate in dollar volume that of radio sets — selling say one-sixth to one-quarter as many television units at prices averaging four to six times those of present radio sets. Morgan WMBD Interest Sold to Peoria Trio APPLICATION was filed with the FCC last week for transfer of control of Peoria Broadcasting Co., licensee of WMBD Peoria, 111. and relay stations WAIN WPEO WEKI WEKH, from H. D. Morgan, vicepresident and treasurer, to Carl P. Slane, Frances P. Slane and Elizabeth P. Talbott. Transaction involves sale of all 500 shares (50%) held by Mr. Morgan and 10 shares held by Leslie Harrison for consideration of $114,750. Mr. Morgan, an attorney, wishes to devote full time to his practice, application stated. Carl Slane is publisher of the Peoria Journal-Transcript and the Peoria Morning Star. The other transferees are also directors in the newspaper companies. Stock holdings would be: C. P. Slane, 86 shares; F. P. Slane, 212 shares; E. P. Talbott, 212 shares. Remaining 49% interest is held by Edgar L. Bill, president. A CBS affiliate, WMBD operates on 1470 kc with 5,000 w LS and 1,000 w night. CLOFAY Corp., Cincinnati, O., lias appointed Ruthrauff & Ryan, Cincinnati, to handle its advertising. Radio plans are being considered. Blue Executives' Junket DELEGATION of the Blue Network executives and stars, headed by Board Chairman Edward J. Noble, last Wednesday visited Lodi, N. J., site of the transmitter of the Blue key station WJZ New York, where they were received at City Hall by Mayor Joseph Luna, entertained at lunch by the Lodi Rotary Club, paraded through town behind the high school band, and fought to a 10-10 tie in a Softball game with the Lodi City Council. Starting battery for the Blue team was Mr. Noble, pitching, and Mark Woods, network president, catching. Edgar Kobak, Keith Kiggins, Phillips Carlin, Pete Jaeger, John McNeil, Charles Rynd, C. R. Priaulx, and George Milne also participated in the contests. Duopoly Precedent Set As Fishburn Holds Stock WHAT MAY be a precedent in "duopoly" ownership was established last Tuesday by the FCC in the case of Junius P. Fishburn, Roanoke newspaper publisher and licensee of WDBJ. Mr. Fishburn also holds a 40% interest in WSLS, the second Roanoke outlet. In another duopoly decision the Commission granted a license on a temporary basis until Nov. 1, 1945, to Evansville on the Air Inc., licensee of WGBF, "subject to whatever action may be taken upon pending application for renewal". Evansville on the Air, also licensee of WEOA, has filed petition for hearing, contending the duopoly regulation is not applicable. Meantime the WGBF license was due to expire Oct. 1. The FCC had set for hearing the WDJB renewal because of Mr. Fishburn's ownership identity with WSLS and because he served on the latter station's board. The Commission announced that it had granted the request of the publisher-broadcaster for reconsideration and grant of the renewal application without hearing, since he had resigned his directorship while retaining his stock interest. Mr. Fishburn, it is understood, also disclaimed any participation in the operation of WSLS, a 250' w station on Blue and Mutual. WDBJ, a regional, is a CBS outlet. Rev. Morris Plea Is Denied by FCC Dry Issue Held Irrelevant In Texas Duopoly Case ATTEMPTS of Rev. Sam Morris, Texas prohibitionist, to make a wet-and-dry issue of a hearing before the FCC last week of KGKO and WRAP Fort Worth and WFAA Dallas, to determine whether Rule 3.35 (duopoly regulation) is applicable, were thwarted when Examiner Tyler Berry ruled out Mr. Morris' testimony on the prohibition question. Renewal of the three stations' licenses had been designated for hearing on petition of the licensees, who contended the duopoly regulation was not applicable. Mr. Morris' petition to intervene was denied and a subsequent motion to amend and enlarge the issues also was denied. Commissioners Paul A. Walker and Clifford J. Durr dissenting. FCC Approved Pact Harold V. Hough, radio supervisor of Carter Publications Inc., licensee of WBAP, and general manager of KGKO, licensed to KGKO Broadcasting Co., testified as to the history of the three stations, how WBAP and WFAA have shared time since the early days of radio. Each station operates on 820 kc with 50 kw half time. Jam.es M. Moroney, vice-president and secretary of the A. H. Belo Corp., licensee of WFAA, corroborated Mr. Hough's testimony. In 1940 Carter Publications and the Belo Corp. each acquired half interest in KGKO, operating on 570 kc with 5 kw power. Under agreements approved by the Commission in 1940, the witnesses testified, KGKO leases studio space from each of the other two stations and operates half time from Dallas and the other half from Fort Worth, making, in effect, two stations, one of 50 kw on 820 and one of 5 kw on 570, thereby no overlapping takes place. The KGKO transmitter is located midway between Dallas and Fort Worth.. Mr. Morris took the stand, undei Commission ruling that he could testify on the issues, and repeated virtually what his petition to intervene had alleged, that the three j stations fail to operate in the public interest inasmuch as they carrj programs sponsored by beer manufacturers, but have denied him time to discuss prohibition. His testi mony was ruled out as irrelevant Representing the A. H. Beli Corp. was Philip G. Loucks, Wash ington attorney. Segal, Smith & Hennessey, Washington law firm ' and Abe Herman, Fort Worth law yer, appeared for Carter Publica tions and KGKO Broadcasting Co i David H. Diebler represented thi FCC. Appearing for Rev. Morri; were Henry M. Johnson, Louisville and Robert H. McNeill Washington Petitioners were given 20 days ii which to file findings. Page 74 • September 25, 1944 BROADCASTING • Broadcast Advertisin,