Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1950)

NBC annual meet had its lighter moments as evidenced by this gathering of network and affiliate representatives (I to r): H Quenton Cox, KGW Portland, Ore.; Harry C. Kopf, NBC vice president in charge of sales; Paul W. Moreney, WTIC Hartford, Conn., and Sylvester L. (Pat) Weaver, NBC vice president in charge of television. THIS foursome, appearing against backdrop of network promotion material at NBC meeting, include (I to r): W. A. Wilson, WOPI Bristol, Tenn.; Ernest Graham, Clay Littick, and Vernon Nolte, all WHIZ Zanesville, Ohio. NBC Charts Course (Continued from jyage 19) out of the title and perhaps minimize TV mention on the sound broadcasts. Mr. Denny told BROADCASTING he thought the format should not be changed materially and felt the sound broadcasters' objections perhaps were hasty. He said emphasis could be shifted from TV in the title. Most of the Wednesday-Thursday criticism was expressed oft the convention floor since the program consisted principally of prepared presentations by NBC executives. A last-minute addition to the Thursday morning TV program was a discussion of legal and regulatory problems facing TV. John Cahill, NBC board member and counsel, reviewed the color TV situation and the proposed new FCC rule restricting TV network affiliation hours. On the latter rule, Mr. Cahill suggested all licensees have a duty to inform, the FCC about their feeling on the subject. The new FCC rule runs counter to the U. S. Supreme Court decision upholding the FCC's decadeold network monopoly rules, it was suggested. These regulations had sought to prevent network monopoly by limiting the maximum affiliation hours. Now FCC's philosophy has shifted to limitation of both maximum and minimum hours. 'Temporary' Rules Hit It also was noted during the discussion that many of the so-called temporary Commission rules tend to become permanent. Clay Littick, WHIZ Zanesville, Ohio, warned delegates whose properties are affiliated with newspapers that the next industry FCC may go after may be newspapers. With NBC's television plans already facing the color and restrictive-affiliation hurdles, delegates were apprised Thursday noon that FCC had tossed a third bomb in the form of a scheduled investigation of AT&T's allocation of networking facilities. Delegates were not prepared to speculate on its effect until more details were available. The TV affiliates adopted a resolution at the Thursday afternoon session, calling for substitution of a dollar formula for allocation of hours to the network in lieu of the present plan. Suggestion was made that an independent auditor handle the allocations. During discussion it was explained that whereas a station might have allocated 30 hours to NBC-TV at, say, $200 an hour a year ago, the card rate now has been increased to $400 an hour and therefore the formula should be changed. In any case, network and station officials agreed they had several common fights on their hands and the need for cooperative effort was emphasized. Among encouraging signs in the sales' side of radio and television was the prediction that some three million persons will have been added to civilian payrolls by next spring, with consumer income in 1950 to be $6 billion over 1949. Satisfied they have a commanding lead in TV and the strongest aural radio structure, both from program and facilities view points, NBC wound up its presentation with the belief it had been the most successful of the four annual conventions. Easily the high spot for aural broadcasters was the presentation by Mr. Denny of the four "new and revolutionary radio sales methods devised by NBC." These methods, he said, will permit advertisers at minimum cost to obtain "high rotational circulation in various combinations of rad'o and television periods and through tape recordings of television program highlights." First step in the four-point program for radio, Mr. Denny said, is Operation Tandem, of which NBC stations had learned in a closed circuit talk. This plan off'ers six advertisers high rotational and circulation exposure through participation in five separate one-hour program periods on different nights "Here's something new — a premium dating!" Drawn for Broadcasting by Sid Hix molded out of ice. Ifs self-Uqui of the week. "What we are selling , is mass circulation, and we are, selling it at a very low cost," he ' said. "We are convinced that thisis the direction radio must take to capitalize on its strength." Three variations of Operation. (Continued on page 30) j BROOKS, SMITH Get NBC Vice Presidencies ' TWO vice presidential appointments at NBC were announced Wednesday by President Joseph H. McConnell at the network's fourth annual convention, held at the Hotel Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. William F. Brooks, formerly vice president in charge of news and special events, was promoted to vice president in charge of public relations. Carleton D. Smith, director of television operation, is slated to become vice president in charge of station relations, a new post. Mr. McConnell said he would recommend election of Mr. Smith at the NBC board meeting in November. Sheldon Hickox now serves as director of TV station relations. Easton C. Woolley has resigned as dh-ector of AM station relations to become vice president of KDYL Salt Lake City. Mr. McConnell paid tribute to Mr. Woolley in making announcement of the vice presidential appointments. The vice presidencies are part of NBC's continuing expansion of operations, Mr. McConnell said. In his new position Mr. Brooks will have direct supervision of press, information and continuity departments and maintain liaison with news and special events as well as advertising and promotion departments for both radio and television. Mr. McConnell voiced pleasure at his ability to make the new appointments within the organization and said creation of the new post for Mr. Smith places station relations at its highest within the company organization. Page 20 • October 23, 1950 BROADCASTING • Telecasting