Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1950)

siderable enthusiasm for the CBS color system invented by Dr. Peter C. Goldmark. On May 2 the FCC authorized full commercial television to start on July 1. The image was fixed at 525 lines, 30 frames interlaced with frequency modulation sound. A weekly minimum of 15 hours of program service was set in deference to protests at the proposed 30-hour program service which had originally been indicated. NBC issued its first television rate card on June 27 with Bulova, Lever Bros., Sun Oil and Procter & Gamble the first video sponsors. With FCC activity constantly posing new problems for broadcasters it is not surprising that the NAB and other trade groups were correspondingly active. At the NAB convention May 12 in St. Louis Chairman Fly was principal guest speaker. Since the convention came hot on the heels of the monopoly order the Chairman found himself the center of a great deal of criticism. Chairman Fly Hits NAB at News Conference It was at a news conference at this convention that Chairman Fly spoke of the NAB as a "socalled" trade organization and made his famous remark comparing the industry leadership to "a dead mackerel in the moonlight — it both shines and stinks." In return the NAB board questioned the Chairman's fitness to head the FCC. In commenting on the meeting Broadcasting said: "For acrimony and invective the convention had no parallel in NAB annals." During and after the convention there was considerable criticism of NAB leadership, aims and policies. Ed Craney, operator of KGIR Butte and Z-Bar Network, wrote to a number of independent stations urging the abolition of NAB. Partly as a result of his letters the National Independent Broadcasters met in Chicago, Sept. 22 with Harold A. Lafount, former Commissioner and Bulova executive, as temporary president. Chairman Fly was a principal speaker at the meeting as was Mr. Craney. About 200 broadcasters were present. The organization scheduled a full scale convention for December but because of the international situation the convention was not held. In a telegraphic poll George B. Storer was elected president and L. B. Wilson, owner of WCKY Cincinnati, vice president. A board of 15 was set up. Another group which was formed during November was the Network Affiliates Inc., a successor to the Independent Radio Network Affiliates, a trade group which had been active within the NAB for several years. Eugene C. Pulliam, WIRE Indianapolis, was elected president at the meeting Nov. 18 at which it was urged that the NAB be recognized. Many other events of import BROADCASTING • Telecasting ance claimed radio's attention during the year. The third inauguration of President Roosevelt on Jan. 20 was given the greatest radio coverage of all times. On March 17 the first nationwide Mile of Dimes drive conducted by radio brought in a total of $200,000. Early in the year David Sarnoff, president of RCA, announced plans to build the world's largest radio laboratories at Princeton. Work began during the summer on the new plant. An important station sale was that of WMCA New York which was transferred from Donald Flamm to Edward Noble for $850,000. After the agreement had been made there were charges by Mr. Flamm against Mr. Noble and counter charges when it appeared that Mr. Flamm was not going to go through with the transaction. In the final transfer Donald S. Shaw Mr. Shaw was retained as general manager. The first of the annual Peabody awards were made on March 29 at a dinner in New York with CBS winning the network award. In the large station group WSB Atlanta, K N X Los Angeles, WCAU Philadelphia, WBAP Fort Worth, WOR New York and WGEO (shortwave) Schenectady were recognized for various contributions. In medium station group WJJD Chicago, WQXR New York, WOW Omaha, KSTP St. Paul, WBHX New York, WRC-WMAL Washington received recongition while in the smaller station group, KVOS Bellinaham Wash., received a citation. The House, on Aug. 4, passed a bill to impose a 5 to 15-/^ tax on annual net time sales of stations doing a gross business of $100,000 and over. The bill was later killed in committee. Death claimed several prominent radio figures during the year. Thomas W. Symons Jr., 52, radio pioneer and part owner with Ed Craney of KXL Portland, KGIR Butte and owner of KFPY Spokane, died on Oct. 2. Dr. Frank Conrad, often called the "father of radio," died on Dec. 10 in Florida and on Dec. 22 death claimed Scott Howe Bowen, 53, president and owner of WBIX Utica and pioneer agency man. At the end of 1941 FM Broadcasters estimated a minimum of 180,00 FM sets were in use. There were 22 fulltime commercial FM stations. ( Chronology continues on page 130) 0 0 thai results in GOOD SHOWS backed up with AGGRESSIVE PROMOTION Central New York Listeners and Viewers iiave learned to turn to WSYR ACUSi AM • f/M • TV NBC AFFILIATE • Headley-Reed, National Representatives the Only Complete Broadcast Institution in Central New York October 16, 1950 • Page 127