Broadcasting (Apr - Jun 1949)

Radio's Future (Continued from page 23) to two holdover ones, include R. E. Carlson, vice president, Tung-Sol Lamp Works; W. J. Barkley, executive vice president, Collins Radio Co., and Mr. Liberman. Mr. Balcom was chosen chairman of the tube division. Other division chairmen: Transmitter, T A. Smith, RCA Victor; amplifier and sound equipment, A. G. Schifmo, Stromberg-Carlson. The four-day Parts Show and RMA silver anniversary celebration was highlighted with a banquet in the Stevens Hotel grand ballroom Thursday evening. Mr. Muter, chairman of the convention committee, presented the guest speaker, Col. Herbert H. Frost of Washington, D. C, first president of the RMA. Col. Frost, terming the anniversary as proof "of the solid foundation and flexible structure," out lined fallacious predictions made during the early years of radio. These were prompted by the "frequent statement that TV will put radio into the museum." He sees television as "additional means for the dissemination of education, entertainment, information and public services." The predictions which failed — : Radio will never be profitable, and must be subsidized by the manufacturers, stage and movie attendance will drop 50%, phonograph and recording businesses will fail, federal control of broadcasting will become a tool of Washington politicians. After the dinner, Walter O'Keefe, NBC comedy star, acted as master of ceremonies, introducing the Dorben Dancers, Comedian Gil Lamb, Lew Breese and his orchestra and variety acts. Major business during the convention was appropriation of $15,000 by the board Wednesday for promotion of National Radio Week and the 29th birthday of radio Jbtld Ctwahd— 19TH INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION BY RADIO Again WBNS gains another "First." This time for its holiday production of "Santa Claus Land" written and produced by Park Blanton and Chet Long. It was cited as being an original and effective approach to the idea of Santa and his elves in Toyland. A production that was so different and typical of WBNS that it won the award "hands down." e 52% OF COLUMBUS FOLKS OWN THEIR HOMES When families move to Columbus they come to stay. They enjoy the city with its metropolitan hustle and closeby rural area. 163.550 of these families are loyal WBNS listeners. Their buying power has proved again and again that WBNS time pays dividends. ON WBNS SINCE '41 A recent survey shows that Hanna Paint is the first choice in the WBNS listening area. Consistent announce, ments on this station have helped put this company in its top position. COVERS o IN COLUMBUS IT'S POWER 5000 0*1000 *N CBS ASK JOHN BLAIR broadcasting Oct. 30 to Nov. 5. Money will be used for dealer promotion and joint sponsorship of the Voice of Democracy contest with the NAB and the U. S. Junior Chamber of Commerce. The board approved collection and release of TV statistical information every three months on the number of receivers shipped by manufacturers to each TV market. Data will be supplied for an expected 49 areas, according to G. M. Gardner, chairman of the set division executive committee. RMA statistics on TV receiver production will be revised to provide more comprehensive data on the types of sets manufactured, especially on those with AM facilities. President Balcom will appoint a committee to work on the Town Meetings of radio technicians, six of which were sponsored by the RMA during the past 18 months. The board, which voted to continue the sessions, has proposed that the committee prepare 19 one-minute films explaining the operation and care of video receivers for use on TV stations. Keynote by Capehart Sen. Homer E. Capehart (R-Ind.) keynoted the membership luncheon Thursday by asserting that government— and its mismanagement — is the biggest problem confronting radio and television manufacturers, and Americans in general. Recognizing that "no other industry has done as much for the welfare and happiness of the American people," Sen. Capehart nevertheless charged that individuals in the industry are "doing nothing about maintaining our form of government. It, and not the plants or the money, is your greatest asset." Saying that "the weight of our so-called economy will drive us down," Sen. Capehart deplored the dependency of people on the federal government and the size of the national debt. He said his reason for entering politics was to save private enterprise. "Petrillo is running the broadcasting industry, and eight to ten labor leaders are running yours. And, as a result of the TV freeze, your government is bleeding tens of thousands of Americans out of jobs." In conclusion, he said that manufacturers "can build a bigger and better industry only as individuals in it pay attention to and guard the form of government which makes it possible for this to be the greatest nation." Topping the convention greetings from prominent officials was that of President Truman, who wrote President Balcom that radio manufacturing "has become one of our foremost industries both in war and peace. Its contribution toward the winning of World War II, through the production of $10.7 billion worth of electronic and communications equipment, was outstanding. "Long before the last war, radio had become an integral part of our daily life in America, and today television seems likely to repea radio's performance lit 'The radio and television indus ;;f try is a potent force also in our free; enterprise economy, providing err, ployment to thousands of techni-l cians, both in factories and in th<; service trades, and to many mor< thousands in the retail and whole \ sale trades." President Balcom predicted there will be 6,000,000 television receiver 1 in operation by 1951, in submitting his report to the RMA membership i Two million or more TV sets wil be produced this year, he forecast on top of 1,200,000 previousl; turned out (a million of them ii 1948). Mr. Balcom said he disagree with the oft-heard theory th "radio is doomed," referring to th jj: recent drop in radio set output. "Rather, I feel confident tha even with an assured and treme: dous increase in television in t' near future," he said, "radio wi continue to provide a service fo home entertainment indefinitely especially so in the areas which, fo: technical and other reasons, cannc be reached by television in the nes, future." RMA's president thanked FC Chairman Wayne Coy for his "cla: ification of the issues involved i the proposed expansion of telev sion broadcasting and his assu ances to the public that TV servi( on the present VHF channels wi not be disturbed and that cons quently television receivers bougl today will continue to give goc service for many years to come. "We recognize that extension i television service on a nation basis to provide a maximum service, impossible in the prese limited lower frequencies, is nece sary and we hope it will come the very near future. Howevf neither transmitters, tubes nor r ceivers for the future UHF, ultra-high frequency bands, which the normal future extensi< of television service will appet are now much beyond the labor tory and experimental stage ar not probable for wide commercr or public application for at lea several years." Ready for Future The manufacturing industry w prepare for future changes and v. cause deliberate obsolescence, said. FM receiver output has increas rapidly, according to Mr. Balco "for this new and better type broadcasting reception." He c clared FM has been "out-paced public acceptance by television, c the future possibilities of FM, < hanced by the public acquaintar of television in which it is n<' largely used, offer large possib ties but, it is recognized, with di cult problems for our associates FM broadcasting. "There have been substant price reductions recently both FM and television receivers, to benefit of the public and its mere ing enjoyment of these two n public services." Mr. Balcom said manufactur Page 52 • May. 23, 1949 BROADCASTING • Telecast!