Broadcasting (Apr - Jun 1949)

Unrest Stirs Stations (Continued from page 23) its purpose and perhaps finished its usefulness. He left practically nothing unsaid (we were there). On some of Mr. Way's points there was unanimity, though several present disagreed with his contention that TV would not be a factor in their areas for some time, or that trade papers [Broadcasting was named specifically] were devoting too much space to TV. Only one telecaster was present — Mr. Bacus of WBAP, the Fort Worth Star Telegram AM and TV operations. He disagreed with the contention that TV is unduly overplayed but conceded it was confusing. WBAP's experience, he said, is that TV's impact can't be minimized or discounted. He observed, however, that there is a "fatigue factor" and he felt that televiewing would not be as widespread as listening. He anticipated more "selective looking" than selective listening. There were disparaging references to the two forms of radio as "sound" and "unsound." But, after the smoke had cleared, there was general agreement that progress could not be stopped; that television constituted progress ; that TV is the heritage of the broadcaster and that, while many zealots were going to extremes, it nevertheless behooved all in radio who want to remain in it to keep abreast of the new art and do something about TV. On the matter of AM rates the discussion became heated. Mr. Petry asserted that network talk of a reduction in station rates during evening hours, whether it be 1 or 20%, because of video competition, was dangerous and unjustified. He argued that station rates always have been too low when contrasted with those of other media and that stations should not take a single step backward on rate structure. It was evident from the comments made that any move to cut AM rates would be stoutly resisted. Mr. Harris pointed out that KPRC is a television applicant and that he, therefore, is fully conscious of the job ahead. The principal job for sound radio, he said, is to promote it by building programs and increasing tunein. He urged NBC and other networks to build and pretest programs and he admonished those present to beware the fate of the buggy whip manufacturer in the day of the automobile's advent. Mr. Hickox vigorously defended his network's position on simultaneous development of TV along with AM. He said the network now is in the process of "unintegrating" its operations except at the top level where it will be integrated. Hence, he said, AM and TV will function separately as to sales and programming within the network. He insisted NBC has not forsaken its unremitting effort to sell AM and promote it and discussed, off-therecord, a couple of new program ideas in the works. 'New York' Influence Hit There was also revival of talk about the "New York influence" in programming becoming even more severe in TV than in AM. People away from the show business centers do not relish the infusion of "city slicker" influence, it was argued. Mr. Halff explained that he had withheld announcement of his resignation from the NAB last December because he did not want to be the bellwether of a possible general exodus. Others present at the Shreveport meeting indicated that they would be disposed to follow Mr. Halff if the NAB continues in its present groove. It was argued that the dues of major network affiliates, generally in the higher brackets, are being disbursed to "build up competitors," mainly among the newcomers. And the newcomers and the independents, it was alleged flatly, had taken over "control of the NAB operations and management." Last Thursday (May 19) Mr. Harris wrote NAB Secretary C. E. Arney Jr., that KPRC had decided to resign, effective June 1, because of the feeling that the association "was falling short of doing a job for the radio industry and also was failing completely in being of any real service to us." There wasn't even enthusiasm for the new Broadcast Advertising Bureau, with several of the South westerners harboring the vie>i that this also was designed tl benefit the smaller entities. Bu' the competition with newspaper 1 was generally recognized and i was the consensus that such project, under competent manage ment, could be fruitful. There wa» some praise voiced for Mauric (Continued on page 55) WHY DID WPEN QUIT? Says Functional Groups Would Better Serve Industr RADIO EXECUTIVES were feted at reception and dinner party at home of George D. Wray Sr., board chairman of KTBS Shreveport, La., following dedication of new KTBS facilities and meeting of station executives (see story page 54). Station officials | and guests included (I to r): Allen D. Morris, KTBS president; Mr. Wray; E. Newton Wray, KTBS vice president; William B. Way, KVOO Tulsa, who presided at executives' meeting; Edward Petry, head of his own station representative firm; Prentiss E. Furlow, KTBS vice president; C. K. Beaver, KTBS secretary-treasurer and general manager; Sheldon B. Hickox Jr., manager, NBC station relations. SEPARATION of NAB into functional groups, each having its own code and its own convention, with an annual association business meeting, is proposed by Edward C. Obrist, general manager of WPEN Philadelphia, an independent regional, in his swan song as an NAB member. Mr. Obrist advanced his idea in a letter to C. E. Arney Jr., NAB secretary-treasurer. Mr. Arney had asked him to list the reasons WPEN has resigned its NAB membership (see story page 23). First of all, Mr. Obrist contends, the industry has become too large for the present organizational setup and the overall convention. He says AM, FM, TV and facsimile have varied interests, complicated by the independent, affiliate, clear channel, regional, local, parttime and fulltime classifications in small, medium and metropolitan markets. Few, if any, metropolitan operators are interested in FM, he argues, since their big "going concern" problems are AM problems whereas FM is vital in smaller towns and rural areas. As to TV, he calls it "an arch-rival" of AM and asks, "Why mother our murderer?" "The NAB should revert to its type, an association of AM broadcasters for the over-all advancement of the AM industry and the sole benefit of all individual AM stations in it," he holds. "AM broadcasters have problems that can best be solved by separate meetings or conventions. The network affiliates shoul have their annual conclave, the in dependents theirs, for example "where the big fellows and th little ones in each class will hav ample time in which to air thei problems; sympathetic minds an< interested ears to help them. "These groups will elect thei own representatives who will go t a smaller annual association busi ness convention for the purpose o pleading causes that have beei agreed to in advance, and return ing with evidences of concret progress. "Each group or representativ should be respected equally ant considered equally. If this is ai indirect promulgation of more ac tivity and more control and mor power in the hinterlands and les power in radio headquarters a Washington, then so be it. Thes< groups should adopt codes tha pertain to their own classes. Th' association as a whole should thei fashion a code to complement thesi that would generalize over anc above these specific items and tha would be representative of the in dustry at large." Use of Referendum Mr. Obrist feels NAB shouk make more use of the referendum Such a vote at Atlantic City woulc have defeated the code, he feels and might have defeated the BMI loan at Chicago, "the approval oi which has caused much unfavor. able reaction." He looks to NAB "for a fina? and sensible solution of the cover, age problem" andfor a "businesr convention, completely devoid oJ speeches that tell us how good we are, that urge us one year to 'gei into FM' and later, to 'get intc TV,' a convention that builds respect for our industry and busi'ness for the individual stations. "I'd like to hear how bad w( were during the previous year from agencies, account executive; and advertisers, so we can derive a modicum of benefit instead oJ false balm from our annual sessions." Reduced to its essence, the problem is one of "resignation vs. reform," Mr. Obrist believes. 'Tr today's very tight and increasingly competitive market, the time anc inclination to stump for complete re-evaluation of the purposes anc procedures of NAB is unfortunately lacking." Page 24 • May 23, 1949 BROADCASTING • Telecasting