Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1945)

BROADCASTING at deadline QoT^Jg^hI Upcoming Business Briefly COORDINATED drive toward solution of daylight time operation of networks, with War Time now abolished, expected to take another big stride when ABC Station Planning & Advisory Committee meets in New York Jan. 10-11 to map out industry-wide campaign. Committee members called together by H. Allen Campbell, general manager of WXYZ Detroit and Michigan Radio Network, will be briefed on plan to contact broadcasters in their own districts toward maintaining universal radio time on standard basis, eliminating spring schedule shifts. ONE OF radio's indefatigable veterans — John Shepard 3d, chairman of Yankee Network — is taking it easy under doctor's orders. Chairman of Regional Stations Committee, organizing case for clear channel hearing Jan. 14, he delegated assignment while resting on West Coast. He spent summer at Thousand Islands and may not return to active policy direction of Yankee for some weeks. THERE'LL BE another healthy increase in Mutual outlets during 1946 in single station towns. Now there are approximately 185 such outlets on the 281-station network. The single station-single market total probably will eclipse 225 next year. NOW THAT die is cast on television, with allocations regulations, standards and even hearings accounted for, look for dropping of some applications offset by filing of new ones. Many applicants wanted to get foot in door for priority purposes, then look around, others held off until rules were set. RADIO eyes turned toward result of prehearing conference on Washington, D. C, television applications scheduled last Saturday at call of FCC Chairman Paul A. Porter, preparatory to Jan. 21 hearing. Eight applicants for television outlets in Capital City were to confer with FCC head and staff attorneys and engineers in hope of shortening hearing by stipulating exhibits and testimony and by seeking expression of intent from counsel for eight applicants seeking four facilities available. Conference originally called at chairman's office for Friday, but postponed because of Porter's absence due to heavy cold during most of week. ANY IDEA that FCC's proposed "auction sale" rules for station transfers, following pattern of Crosley-Avco decision, will become effective by default, can now be dispelled. Several Washington law firms, acting on instructions from clients, will file opposition briefs and be prepared for oral arguments. In a nutshell, they feel it is unconstitutional because it will prevent citizens from disposing of private property as they see fit. WHEN NAB Board meets in Los Angeles Jan. 3-4, there will be at least two of 25 members missing — F. M. Russell, NBC Washington vice president, and T. A. M. Craven, vice president of Cowles Broadcasting Co. Mr. Russell won't be there because stork arrival is (Continued on page 70) Jan. 2-3: Indiana Local Broadcasters Assn., Columbia Club, Indianapolis. Jan. 3-4: NAB Board of Directors, Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood. Jan. 23-26: IRE winter technical meeting, Hotel Astor, New York. Jan. 30: RMA Board of Directors, Stevens Hotel, Chicago. (FCC hearings, page 70.) Bulletins DECISION not to acquire control of Associated Broadcasting Co., but to convert its loan of $150,000 into stock in fifth nationwide network organization, made by Atlas Corp. last week with expiration of 30-day option. Three groups negotiating with ABS for further financing for network, with probability control will pass to successful bidder, leaving Leonard A. Versluis, founder of ABS, with only a small interest. Atlas reportedly interested in ABS as investment, but not desirous of becoming involved in management problems. Matter should be finally settled by Jan. 15, according to Garey, Desvernine & Garey, attorneys handling transaction. PRESIDENT TRUMAN'S radio report to nation on legislative program will be delivered Jan. 3 at 10 p. m., and consume about half -hour. It will originate in Oval Room at White House and be carried by all networks. White House cautioned address is not to be confused with annual message to Congress, to be made after body reconvenes Jan. 14. ITS MOBILE camera equipment now in working condition, CBS will initiate series of remote video pickups for WCBW New York, starting New Year's night by telecasting basketball games from Madison Square Garden. THREE-WAY LABOR UNIT TO BE FORMED BY NAB NEW Employe-Employer Relations Dept. of NAB goes into formal operation with new year. Three-section department is planned, with assistant directors in charge of music, talent and technicians. Program calls for coordinating of mass of information in NAB files on contracts, wages, working conditions and other pertinent data. Slated for this task is Milton J. Kibler, NAB assistant general counsel, who probably will move to new department. Sample contracts for guidance of stations in employe relations may bo developed. Mr. Kibler would be on No. 2 executive level in department, operating as one of three assistant directors. NAB has approached Ivar Peterson, assistant general counsel of National Labor Relations Board in charge of the Review Section, with offer of an assistant directorship. Understood he is favorably inclined. Third assistant director may be named soon. Page • December 31, 1945 MOORE ON ABC • Benjamin Moore & Co., New York (paint), March 2 starts Betty Moore on 150 ABC stations, Sat. 11:30-11:45 a.m. Agency, St. Georges & Keyes, N. Y. SHOW OFFERED CENTRAL • Radio presentation including musical show offered to New York Central Railroad by its agency, Foote, Cone & Belding, New York. FC&B APPOINTED • United Wallpaper Inc., Chicago, Varlon Division, has appointed Foote, Cone & Belding, Chicago, to handle its advertising. May use radio. PEABODYS' SIGNED • International Milling Co., Minneapolis, thru H. W. Kastor & Sons, Chicago, has already signed The Peabodys, new five-weekly transcribed comedy on 45 stations starting Jan. 7. Markets have been selected but station list has not been announced. SCHUTTER MAY SWITCH • If negotiations with Schwimmer & Scott, Chicago, on behalf of Schutter Candy Co., Chicago (Bit O'Honey) for sponsorship of Counterspy over ABC go through, program expected to switch from Wednesday 9-9:30 p.m. (CST) to Sunday 4:30-5 p.m. (CST). NEW CHICAGO AGENCY JIM WARD and WILLIAM FETTERMAN announced consolidation Friday of two advertising agencies, firm to be known as Ward & Fetterman Adv. Agency, with offices at 188 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Mr. Ward formerly operated Jim Ward & Co. Mr. Fetterman recently resigned as vice president and sales promotion manager of Goldblatt Bros, department store, Chicago, and had formed an agency. GE DENIES LYONS' CLAIM WHEN Leonard Lyons' column in the New York Post last Friday stated that color television sets made for CBS by General Electric were "prohibitively" priced at $3,150 for a 10-inch model, $5,900 for the 18 x 24 inch, GE promptly wired Lyons for a correction, calling his item "misleading because prices quoted are not those which the public will pay but referred to handmade laboratory models. First FM sets cost about $2,400, GE explained, "while those eventually placed on sale cost little more than ordinary radio receivers." Similarly, "colored television receivers when placed on the market will compare favorably with black-and-white television receivers." BING DUE JAN. 3 DESPITE reports Bing Crosby will not re turn to Kraft Music Hall, J. Walter Thomp son Co., agency for account, on Friday had received no word from singer he will not appear as scheduled Jan. 3. If he does not fulfill his contractual obligation, sponsor will seek court order. BROADCASTING • Telecasting