Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan - Mar 1951)

BRITISH VIDEO 'Mirror' Cites Commercial Plan OPERATION of British television on a commercial basis, with sound radio continuing as a BBC monopoly, will be recommended by the Beridge Committee, according to a prediction in the London Daily Mirror. Writing under the heading "Allow Commercial TV, Government Report Will Urge," Clifford Davis reported that the committee, appointed by the British government to report on the future of radio and TV when the BBC charter expires at the end of 1951, will file a report of more than 150,000 words. Appearing in two volumes, the first part, Mr. Davis predicted, will contain the committee's findings and the second part will review evidence taken at extended hearings. According to the Mirror story, the recommendations of the 10man group are expected to be along this line: Sponsored TV programs should be started, at first on the existing TV wavelengths in order to lengthen present transmission time of 30 hours a week. Later, a rival TV service — supported by advertising — should be established. BBC television should be set up as a separate organization from sound broadcasting immediately. Cinemas should be allowed their own TV system for films, newsreels and stage shows. The same program could then be televised to hundreds of cinema screens. The government should relax its ban on capital expenditure to allow the BBC to spend more money on sound and TV development. The committee was set up in 1949. It held a thorough investigation and four of the members visited the U. S. and Canada to study commercial radio and TV. Mr. Davis understands the report will be severely critical of the BBC internal organization and some of its policies, though agreeing unanimously that the BBC offers the finest service in the world. Suggested commercializing of TV is ascribed to the new medium's high costs. open mike Cites Digest Service EDITOR: I've . . . seen the digest of Broadcasting • Telecasting [Dec. 18, 1950] which you had the AP transmit. It was a splendid service and one which I appreciate very much. As usual, you're on your toes. Thanks for your thoughtfulness. Lester W. Lindow General Manager WFDF Flint, Mich. * * * Artist McDonald EDITOR: .... I was never so surprised . . . aS . . . when I saw my "doodlin" in Broadcasting • Telecasting [Nov. 27, 1950]. . . . ... I have received many, many letters about it from both friends and in several cases, managers that I do not even know personally. Two wanted me to design them some letterheads. I have had . . . telephone calls, and a few telegrams . . . Everyone that I see personally, if in the industry, mentions seeing it in Broadcasting • Telecasting. . . . Guess I am forced to admit — maybe your ole book does have a few readers. . . . Patt McDonald General Manager WHHM Memphis * * * Car Radio Report EDITOR: Dr. Ken Harwood's Alabama auto listening survey, reported in your Dec. 18, 1950, issue, was especially interesting to the industry in Southern California, since Ken first made a study of this type while still at the U. of Southern California. His findings induced our association to call in The Pulse for a full-scale check of IF YOUR AM-FM-TV STATION, OR NEWSPAPER NEEDS promotional ideas sold to produce cash revenue of from $200 to $500 per week, Write, call, or wire Edgar L. Bill Merle V. Watson Julian Mantell, Sales Manager VLaiipwiL JsuaiuMA, Peoria, Illinois Phone 6-4607 ■^r We can produce more sales records and letters of recommendation that members of our Organization have received while working for over 300 AM, FM, & TV Stations and Newspapers from coast to coast, than any similar company. the radio status of 880 cars at 50 widely scattered Los Angeles County intersections day and night for a full week. Their findings were that 72.5% of the cars were radio equipped, the highest figure discoA^ered in any of the surveys made thus far (New York, Iowa and now Alabama). Since there are actually more passenger cars than there are families or occupied dwelling units in our county, this finding is significant. The day-and-night sets-in-use average, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., was 32.8%, considerably higher than the similar percentage in homes. Robert J. McAndrews Managing Director Southern California Broadcasters Assn. Inc. Hollywood # ❖ Continue Reviews EDITOR: Please continue your program reviews regularly! Your critical comments will do much to keep tele and broadcasters on their toes. Here's one reader who appreciates them. Leon C. Hood Radio Chairman National Council of Teachers of English 61 Lafayette Ave. East Orange, N. J. * * * Reaction to TV Ads EDITOR: After conducting a recent television study in San Francisco, Dan E. Clark II & Assoc. reports that only two out of nearly 800 respondents mentioned the recent controversial television industry radio-newspaper campaign. This campaign brought many complaints from parents and educators and resulted in the Federal Trade Commission's Division of Radio and Periodical Advertising announcement that it was "considering certain recent advertising of television sets to determine the truth or falsity of statements and representations therein." Each of 793 respondents who stated they were not in the immediate market for a television set were asked by Clark & Assoc. for comments and reasons as to why they did not want television now. The great majority gave such reasons as "can't afford now," "waiting for sets to improve," "waiting for color," and other comments. Only two respondents voluntarily mentioned the recent industry campaign. G. E. Hurst Dan E. Clark II & Assoc. Research Consultants San Francisco COLOR CHOICE Let Public Decide — Caldwell FORMER Federal Radio Comr. O. H. Caldwell, editorial director of Tele-Tech, in a letter to members of the present FCC has suggested the public be allowed to decide which color-TV system it preferred. He indicated the Commission should authorize the "compatible color-TV system" along with the CBS system so the public might choose the better method. Mr. Caldwell attached a copy of his report in the January 1951 issue of Tele-Tech titled "Compatible Color-TV Is Ready." The article, based on RCA's early December demonstrations, urged opportunity for public choice. It stated that FCC, "overwhelmed by the uproar resulting from its recent decision . . . taking merely the testimony of its own senses — now needs only to authorize compatible color-TV to go on the air, along with the presentapproved abortive non-compatible system. Then the public, industry, and trade will quickly decide for themselves which system they want — which system must survive ! Thus in a single logical and democratic step, the FCC can provide the soundest future for color, and meanwhile save the television enjoyment of millions." Mr. Caldwell's letter stated in. part: Having pioneered in the administration of radio, as you are now pioneering in TV, I can sympathize with your difficulties and understand the high motives with which you are undertaking to serve the public. We earlier Commissioners too had to take positive actions — sometimes based on too-meager information and field experience. We found we made some embarrassing mistakes, but we also learned that one way to correct the effects of these was, as quickly as possible, to authorize a parallel, sounder course, and so let the radio industry and public erase our earlier error, by giving them a choice so they could select and adopt the later, better plan. This lesson we thus learned years ago, suggests a similar handling of your present color-TV difficulties. If, waiving formalities, the FCC will in the public interest, quickly come to the heart of the matter and without disturbing the CBS authorization, will grant similar approval to the compatible color-TV system, the industry, trade and public will quickly determine which is the more practical of the two systems for home use. There is no doubt whatever that the compatible system will quickly outrun the other. RADIO and TV STATIONS Profits Depend on Efficient Personnel Our Graduates are Checked for Ability and Enthusiasm Appearance and Personality Integrity and Showmanship Trained bv . . . Network Professionals Trained to . . Do more than one job well Understand your operational problems Trained with . . . Complete TV and Radio Commercial Equipment Trained under . Actual Broadcast Conditions for Promof free Service Call, Write, or Wire Personnel Division SCHOOL of RADIO TECHNIQUE 316 West 57 St., N. Y. • PLaza 7-321? Page 62 • January 1, 1951 Telecasting • BROADCASTING