Broadcasting (July - Sep 1950)

COmtRCIAlS ON BBC? »y SUGGESTIONS that Britain consider the possibility of commercially-sponsored programs in both visual and aural broadcasting, and that the British government abandon its present 405 line system for television have been leveled in the House of Lords. These revelations highlighted House debate recently on such topics as TV research, color TV, sponsored programs, and exchange of programs with France, as well as progress of Britain's television industry. Spearheading the debate was Lord Brabazon, of Tara, a director of Britain's Electric and Musical Industries, who urged expansion of the television industry beyond its present scope and adoption of commercial programs by the BBC similar to the American system. Lord Brabazon wanted to know whether Britain, by clinging to the 405 line system for TV, wasn't "backing something that foreigners already think is out of date." He called on the government to clarify its policy and to determine who should develop the industry — including color TV — "or we shall be left behind . . . America." Lord Brabazon also took a slap at BBC and the whole of English officialdom — Post Office, Treasury, press — for its opposition to commercially sponsored programs. He noted : ... In America, which is a free country, anybody can put up a television station — a thing you cannot do here. They can go broke instantly, or they can make money, according to whether their programs are good or bad. If sponsored programs are so very bad, I do not notice that there is any slackening in demand for television sets in America. . . . Sponsored programs cannot be so disagreeable as we fondly imagine in this country. He suggested that, since BBC does not transmit programs the entire day, "idle time be given over to sponsored programs." 'Fly in Ointment' "But there is a fly in this ointment," he added. "If a firm puts on a better program than the BBC, it would have to be stopped immediately." He was supported by Lord Balfour of Inchrye, who proposed commercial programs in Britain's aural broadcasting system. Another peer. Lord Foley, however, felt that commercial programs may be "all right in America, where the advertising firm buys time and has control over the program, but over here the general atmosphere is different." Lord Brabazon pointed to a Treasury decision which permits an English firm to expend $250,000 annually to an American firm for television research '"know how" and charged: "This is a direct encouragement Page 52 • July 31, 1950 to English firms' not to indulge in research, but to hand the whole thing over to America. The BBC claims that it should buy everything, American or British, as they like." He also felt that, while Great Britain adopted the 405 line system as a first step, the system would not be permanent, and questioned the government's standing in remaining unanimous on 405 lines. "With our experience over some years with 405 line, 10 years later along came the Americans and started their system — with full knowledge of what we have done — with 525 lines," he reminded. A 625 line system also has been widely recommended, he noted. Waleran's View Lord Waleran, a radio manufacturing company executive, said he backed English technicians and engineers on the 405 line system, which he felt "still capable of a great deal of development." On that subject. Lord Foley thought 405 lines "lends itself most easily to color television" and felt the government was right in hold DR. F, A, KOLSTER Pioneer Inventor Dies DR. FREDERICK AUGUST KOLSTER, 67, pioneer engineer and inventor, died last Monday in San Francisco. Dr. Kolster's latest invention was a new improved television antenna and he was working on still another model at the time of his death. His best known contribution to the radio field was his work in developing the radio compass and radio direction-finders, for which he won national acclaim. His daughter, Muriel Kolster of San Francisco, has worked with him in the radio field in recent years. Funeral services were held last Thursday in San Francisco. Burial followed at Mesa Cemetery in Palo Alto, where his wife, who died 10 years ago, also is buried. Besides his daughter Muriel, he is survived by another daughter, Mrs. Alan Michaels of Marysville, Calif. DuMONT REPORTS Increase in Net Profits INCREASES in net profits of 57%, and in sales of 45%, for the Allen B. DuMont Labs during the first 24 weeks of 1950, as compared to a like period last year, were announced by Dr. Allen B. DuMont, president, last week. The net profit was $2,797,000, after tax and network loss deductions, and equivalent to $1.16 a share on the 2,358,466 common shares outstanding as of June 18, 1950. Last year's figure was 83 cents a share. ing to it. "If the number of lines were changed, every receiver in use would become obsolete overnight," he asserted. Earl Lucan, noting that BBC is conducting research into the color television principles and definition standards, said his evidence indicates that "the standard of our pictures is in no way inferior" to those in the U. S. "Recent work by the BBC has confirmed the impression, not only that the 405-line system is the most economical, but that under prevailing conditions it gives better results than could be obtained with a greater number of lines," he declared. Expanding Coverage Earl Lucan said the TV service was being pushed ahead and it was hoped that by the end of 1954 television would be available to 80% of the population. The BBC, he continued, was studying plans for extending coverage to the other 20%. On the question of sponsored television programs. Earl Lucan reported that the Beveridge Committee now has this point under consideration. He told the peers also that a BBC team soon is going to the French north coast to transmit pictures to England, and if successful, it is hoped to extend to Paris. PHONEYISION HIT Halpern Attacks Economics DETAILED attack on the economics of Zenith Radio Corp.'s Phonevision and similar pay-asyou-see home TV systems which would feature top run movie fare was made Friday by Nathan L. Halpern, TV consultant to Theatre Owners of America and other movie interests. Speaking before the Southern California Theatre Owners Assn. at Los Angeles, Mr. Halpern said Phonevision revenue would be only one-fourth to one-sixth the average cost of most current "A" pictures, "a sure one-way ticket to the poorhouse for Hollywood." He said the "plain facts are that Phonevision would bankrupt Hollywood's major film production and its associated talent and skilled crafts" because of limited profit potentials. Mr. Halpern indicated that "theatre television presents the most natural and logical television potential for the motion picture industry. Theatre television has a television future for all segments of the motion picture industry." If the movie industry were to stand still without making technological advances such as theatre TV, it would be hurt by the constant growth of home TV, Mr. Halpern indicated. Af-tacks Price Rise UNWARRANTED price increases in the cost of television sets are strongly opposed by Ross D. Siragusa, president of Admiral Corp. "Cost increases of component parts do not, in our opinion, warrant a price increase at this time and we will maintain our present structure as long as possible," he maintained. Mr. Siragusa went on to say that price raises at a time like this without sound justification are an "evil thing." This pertains not only to the television industry but for all industry in general, he said. SET PRICES UP For DuMont, Emersc INCREASES in TV receiver s^ prices were announced last wei by Emerson Radio & Phonogra] Corp. and by the Allen B. D Mont Labs. Emerson' president, BenjamAbrams, revealed increases of fro 3 to 16% at factory levels in tl entire TV line. ' Increases up to 10% in all cu rent DuMont models, effecti' Sept. 1, were announced by Walt L. Stickel, DuMont national sal manager. Both announcements blame price increases in set componen and said an effort would be mac to hold to the new prices as loi as possible despite shortages some electronic parts. Mr. Abrams said existing Emefx son prices, established in June stimulate consumer buying, we then announced as "interim price; and warning was given that iht. would shortly be increased. F : said the new Emerson prices we still 10 to 15% below those of cor . petitive sets. Mr. Stickel said "there is eveu reason to believe" that the trend e "substantial price increases" in s, components would continue. But I promised every effort by DuMoi to "insure stability beyond tl Sept. 1 date for the remainder ( the year." i COLUMBIA DRIVE TV Promotes Pictm COLUMBIA PICTURES used tel vision in a 10-day campaign promote its movie "711 Oce£ Drive" in two cities — New Yoi and Los Angeles — resulting in r portedly the biggest New Yo: Paramount movie opening sin< January and in Los Angeles tl biggest opening at the Hill Strei and Pantages theatres since Easte Approximately 175 spots we] used in New York on all seven st; t:ons for 10 days before the opei ing date of the movie. The TV can paign was supplemented with newspaper campaign. More than $10,000 was spent c the video campaign. Telecasting • BROADCASTIN