Broadcasting (Apr - Jun 1949)

if Eligious radio Bertermann Named NRB President R. BERTERMANN, a producer of the Lutheran Hour, was elected sident of the National Religious Broadcasters meeting in annual vention at Chicago's Congress Hotel April 19-22. Jadio panels Wednesday and Thursday morning were conducted by Rev. Theodore Eisner, retiring * sident, who broadcasts on WIBG ladelphia and WCFL Chicago. !obert Saudek, ABC's vice presit in charge of public relations, lined Wednesday "Ten Comndments" for religious broadters to follow. hey are: "Don't make enemies your audience, all faiths live in ss houses, don't steal (quotahs) without giving due credit, brove each minute, brevity is i soul of radio sermons, don't be !?eter Pan — he never grew up, |y out of political controversies 'jthe air, strive to improve shows istantly, sopranos do not necesjily make music, and don't keep iking when the audience has 'jvliss Elsie Dick, MBS director religious broadcasting, warned B members that "listeners are your congregation." Emphasizthat only clarity and delivery >w sincerity, she added that ivy sermons are not understande "even to people who go to irch and certainly to those who i't." Radio has offered ministers a ;at opportunity to attract nonirchgoers. It doesn't take the arch's place, but it does inspire I'sons to attend." She advocated bgramming which stresses prac11 °jal application of faith in daily |ng. Robert Hudson, CBS education 'ector who spoke Thursday morn|, suggested that religious broadilsters use the new method of / .king classical historical events Jrrent; that they recognize the idium as a point-to-point means communication, and that broadting and telecasting be used to -j;ate a receptivity for subsequent pon. He recommended working lith a central idea and building •ound it rather than diversifying 'bject matter. Final address was given by Dr. erman P. Lawton, radio di:tor at the U. of Oklahoma. He outlined methods and results of AM research in religious programming. Explaining that 5% of radio is devoted to religious shows, he added that 41 of 53 church councils in the U. S. use the medium. Dr. Lawton concluded that NRB men should determine the character of the audience; vary types of shows and utilize professional production techniques. After the seminar, winners in the transcribed program competition for the year were announced. Best all-around show was Light and Life, followed by Haven of Rest and Sermon in Songs. First prize in the new technique class was Quizpiration, while best local shows included Musically Yours, Windows of the World and Missions Militant. Three firsts were awarded to WPTL (FM) Providence, R. I., year-old station, for its Musically Yours, Story Lady (children's) and Mountain Climbers (youth). FM DELETIONS Eleven More Drop ELEVEN more FM authorizations have been deleted by the FCC, bringing the total number of dropouts since the first of the year to 67 [Broadcasting, April 4]. Ten of those deleted held construction permits and one a conditional grant. Four of the ten which automatically forfeited their permits through failure to prosecute were: W J R D-F M Tuscaloosa, Ala; K F N F F M Shenandoah, Iowa; KPAC-FM Port Arthur, Tex., and KCBD-FM Lubbock, Tex. WSAR-FM Fall River, Mass., requested cancellation after being on interim operation without acquiring a satisfactory FM audience. In view of this and the rapid month-to-month growth of television, it did not seem economically feasible to continue, FCC said. WFYE Miami, Fla., withdrew because York L. Wilson, chief owner, wishes to devote attention to radio and television interests in Richmond, Va., FCC said. WKPB Knoxville, Tenn., stated in its request for cancellation that although it has been on the air with temporary authorization, no time has been offered for sale due to its limited audience. WMMJ Peoria, 111., said it has been unable to complete negotiations with the Peoria Transportation Co. for establishment of transit FM prior to expiration of its permit. Station will apply for reinstatement as soon as feasible. Details of FM deletions follow: KVSM-FM San Mateo, Calif.— San Mateo County Broadcasters, CP, April 12. No reason. KWGD St. Louis— Globe-Democrat Pub. Co., CP, April 12. Company has purchased stock in KWK-AM-FM in same city and intends to cooperate fully in development of these stations and proposed TV station. WMMJ-FM Peoria, 111.— Mid-State Broadcasting Co., CP, April 18. Unable to complete negotiations for transit FM prior to expiration of permit. WKPB (FM) Knoxville, Tenn. — Knoxville Pub. Co., CP, April 18. Lack of FM audience. WFYE (FM) Miami, Fla. — Tropical Broadcasting Co., CG, April 18. Other radio and television interests. WHIA (FM) Mineola, N. Y.— Harry D. Fornari, CP, April 18. No reason. WSAR-FM Fall River, Mass.— Fall River Broadcasting Co. Inc., CP, April 18. Lack of listener interest in FM and rapid growth of television. KCBD-FM Lubbock, Tex.— Caprock Broadcasting Co., CP, April 13. Forfeited. WJRD-FM Tuscaloosa. Ala.— James R. Doss Jr., CP, April 19. Forfeited. KFNF-FM Shenandoah, Iowa— KFNF Inc., CP, April 19. Forfeited. KPAC-FM Port Arthur, Tex.— Port Arthur College, CP, April 19. Forfeited. A. S. ABELL CO. Gets Commercial License EIGHTH commercial television license was granted by FCC last week to WMAR-TV Baltimore, owned by A. S. Abell Co. Facilities covered are Channel 2 (54-60 mc) with effective radiated power of 16 kw visual, 10 kw aural and antenna height above average terrain of 405 ft. WMAR-TV was first granted construction permit by the Commission in 1947 and commenced operations in October of that year. A. S. Abell Co., publisher of the Baltimore Sunpapers, also was owner and operator of AM and FM stations there but the AM was subsequently given up [Broadcasting, Nov. 29, 1948]. Former FCC Comr. E. K. Jett is vice president of Abell and director of radio. KFNF MOVE Opposed by KJSK OPPOSITION to the proposed move of KFNF Shenandoah, Iowa, to Lincoln, Neb., has been filed with FCC by KJSK Columbus, Neb., stating that "KFNF proposes to advance itself by injury to KJSK." A hearing is requested. KFNF, assigned 1 kw day, 500 w night on 920 kc, also seeks to boost its power on that frequency to 5 kw fulltime using directional antenna. KJSK is assigned 1 kw daytime on 900 kc. One of America's Great Independents §| dibmiion SubAchibsUiA- Mailing of the 1949 YEARBOOK has been completed JgVERY BROADCASTING subscriber on our books as of April 1 has received the 550-page 1949 Yearbook. Effective April 2, the 1950 Yearbook (to be published next January) will be included with each new BROADCASTING subscription or renewal processed during the next 12 months. YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION 52 weekly issues and 1950 Yearbook — $7.00 NOTE: A limited supply of 1949 Yearbooks is now available at $5.00 per copy. BROADCASTING TEL A S T t N G NATIONAL PRESS BLDG. WASHINGTON 4, D.C. jROADCASTING • Telecasting April 25, 1949 • Page 83