Broadcasting (Apr - Jun 1949)

■ Unrest Stirs Stations (Continued from page 2U) . Mitchell, new BAB head, beause of his fighting speeches on he competitive angle ; and there ras general approbation of the :b done by Richard P. Doherty, -|raployer-employe relations direcfor. NAB Revamping Mentioned |J As to the overall NAB operaion, there was some expression in avor of a general reorganization, ■lisgivings were expressed over he manner in which funds are eing spent. There was talk about he possible effect of a full-scale rade association activity for TV >y the Television Broadcasters Assn. and what might happen if IjCC Chairman Coy decided to Assume such a post [Broadcasting, May 9]. The question of proposed transer of Executive Vice President t. D. (Jess) Willard Jr. to the lewly-created post of TV vice •resident in the NAB was disussed and the opinion appeared o be divided as to its desirability. Those most ardently opposed to TV felt that their funds should lot be expended for the developnent of the visual art. Mr. Halff, in explaining reasons 'or his resignation, said he had lot engaged in a "fight" with the nAB. He said the industry, in lis judgment, had become "too :?ast for one overall, all-encompassing organization that can hope o be all things to all people." He Suggested that a more effective ind more equitable setup would be o break down the organization nto separate divisions, such as AM, FM and TV, and that those n turn be broken down into the lecessary units, with each unit ;;elf -supporting and stations payng on the basis of the number of units to which they belong and in "..vhich they have a voice, plus an additional amount for the general administration of NAB which .vould handle matters of interest :o the entire industry and "be a front for the entire industry." 'Watch and Wait' Wholly aside from the expression in Shreveport, other broadasters have concluded to "watch 'and wait." One prominent New fork State broadcaster, who asked :hat his name be withheld, said ,ast week that the primary pur: pose of NAB was to "properly represent the independently-owned stations before government agencies and Congress" but that these functions "have been lost in the scramble to add new and questionable departments." He added that a few NAB departments are doing a good job and fulfill a need. "To restore confidence and hold membership of old-line stronger stations," this broadcaster said, "NAB should promptly cut the budget and reduce dues. Changed -business conditions and sharp competition resulting from too many stations on the air call for lower dues and a stop to the spending zeal at NAB. The war honeymoon is over, or at least the 'bloom is off the boom' enjoyed up to now by big and little stations generally. This has not yet fully penetrated to those in control of NAB policies. They don't know how hard it is to get an order today and how tough to trim station costs." Edward C. Obrist, general manager of WPEN, in tendering his resignation to NAB last week, said that the "industry has so far outgrown the association in numbers of stations and diversity of interests and problems that tangible benefit no longer accrues either to the station or the association by continued active membership on the part of WPEN." In NAB's last membership report (as of March 1) 783 of the 1832 station members were network affiliates, 444 nonaffiliates. 600 FM and 4 television. Two more TV stations have been added since March 1. Seventy-one per cent of all affiliates are NAB mem bers, compared to 43 % of nonaffiliates and 63% of FM outlets. The four TV stations comprise about 3rr of the 120 total including construction permits. Of these, however, 61 are on the air. The association's 1949 budget of $774,000 compares to $772,000 in 1948. Of the 1948 budget, $36000 was not spent. In the period between conventions — April 1, 1948 to March 1, 1949— NAB's income was $761,332, $106,840 in excess of expenditures during the period. GEN. CLAY Radio, TV Cover Return RADIO and television, under the guiding hand of the National Military Establishment, played an important part in the celebrated return of Gen. Lucius Clay to the U. S. last week, while simultaneously underscoring the effectiveness of the military's newly-coordinated information office realignment. John Adams, civilian deputy and formerly with CBS (see separate story) and Charles Dillon, director of the military's radio-TV activities, coordinated coverage of Gen. Clay's arrival, which included a radio-TV simulcast from Washington last Tuesday night. ABC and MBS carried the radio side, and NBC-TV the telecast version of the Clay 25-minuta report to the nation, heard from 10 to 10:30 p.m. EDT. Telecast was aired locally by WNBW (TV) and WMAL-TV. WNBW's telecast was offered to NBC-TV's midwest feed. The general spoke from NBC-TV studios at the Wardman Park Hotel. Army, Navy and Air Force personnel took part in supervision of the evening broadcast and telecast, as well as in morning and afternoon radio coverage. NBC produced a tape-recording of Gen. Clay's arrival at Washington airport as part of a pool, offering the tape to all networks. At 3 p.m. NME tape-recorded the general's news conference for use bv radio. No other station — icago or elsewhere — COVERS South Bend . . only WSBT does that ! Sure, other stations can be heard in South Bend — but the audience listens to WSBT! This station always has been, andstill is, the overwhelming choice of listeners in the South Bend market. No other station even comes close in Share of Audience. Look at any South Bend Hooper for convincing proof. M 1 SOUTH BEND PAUl H. RAVMER COMPANY 5000 WATTS • 960 KC • CBS NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ROADCASTING • Telecasting May 23, 1949 • Page 55