Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan - Mar 1951)

BBC MONOPOLY STILL Commercials Rejected wave DOESN'T TRAP BEAR (Ky.)'. <«dav, ata<>st the only Since,UegreatDannBoone;ay;downdee ; Bear in onr State « ^ one „ ,00 far Kentncky's «»°ded;^ aWayforWAVEtotraP. ^ u<jwever, 2. 41% *e C°mrir 21-eo»uty broad (and Bears) onts.de our ^ people (and ^ Wggest galn cast zone. Iney parts' , want Bear. Let If yon're nnntlng ^J^e real snootinX u9 or Free & Peters sbo«y WAVE NBC HfflUME IRtt & peters, me. 5000 WHTS . «• *C NRTIONM. Rep«eseht«Wes PROPOSALS for commercial broadcasting and telecasting in England were rejected last week by a government committee which recommended BBC should keep its monopoly of non-commercial radio and TV programs in British homes. The suggestion was made, however, that commercial organizations should be allowed to produce their own television service for showing in movie theatres. The committee saw little immediate danger from commercial stations in Luxembourg, France and Ireland whose programs are beamed into England, provided they avoid "political propaganda and other even less desirable things." Possibility of an American invasion of the European airwaves also was seen, but the committee assumed the Americans would agree to avoid the same so-called undesirable programming. The committee, which has held more than 60 meetings since mid1949, is composed of 12 members with Lord Beveridge, the 71-year old Liberal reformer, as its chairman. The members represent the three political parties and also include a trade union delegate, industrialists and educators. The committee's 900-page report AGENCY GAIN Census Study Shows 306% FINAL figures released by the Bureau of the Census show that U. S. advertising agencies reported receipts of $395 million in 1948, according to the "Announcement of 1948 Census of Business — Area Bulletins." The agency total showed a 306% gain over the 1939 figure of $97 million. Total number of agencies increased from 1,628 in 1939 to 3,279 in 1948, representing an increase of 101%. Average agency gross receipts amounted to $120,425 in 1948, as compared to an average gross of $59,811 in 1939. Employment in agencies increased 129% in the period 1939-48, from 16,936 to 38,739, figures computed for the workweek ending nearest Nov. 15 in both census years. The annual pay roll more than tripled, increasing from $54 million in 1939 to $194 million in 1948, reflecting an increase in the average annual wage (full and partweek combined) of from $3,162 FINAL figures released by the to $5,017. Six states, New York, Illinois, Michigan, California, Pennsylvania and Ohio, accounted for 81% of the total dollar volume. The number of agencies increased in New York by 120%, in California by 107% and in Michigan by 100%. Data for cities, counties, metropolitan areas and states for advertising agencies and other service businesses, and for retail and wholesale trades, are being issued in a series of 1948 Census of Business Area Bulletins which may be ordered from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. said BBC should remain a single, independent body under the direction of its governors, but it should progress towards "greater decentralization, devolution and diversity." It proposed the establishment of broadcasting commissions in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to safeguard against "Londonization." Among the report's 100 recommendations were proposals for: Renewal of the BBC charter indefinitely, with review of its operation every five years; increase in the number of governors from seven to nine, with all serving on part-time basis; development of VHF radio in order to permit allocation of more local stations; greater independence for TV; consideration of large-screen TV for schools; more local news'. Selwyn Lloyd, a Conservative member of the committee who differed with the majority report, objected to the BBC monopoly. Three others felt advertising might be included in the BBC programs. The majority rejected sponsored shows outright on the grounds this "puts the control of broadcasting ultimately in the hands of people whose interests is not broadcasting but in selling of some other goods or services or the propagation of particular ideas." Similarly, the majority felt comercial TV should not be allowed in the home. Safeguards Needed The committee also felt safeguards should be found to prevent the commercial television organizations getting a monopoly righi to sports events and other "spectacles" and such rights should b< made equally available to BBC. The Beveridge group, however indicated it was aware of the dan gers of monopoly control by sucl an organization as BBC. The grou] said that "when a sense of missioi such as animates the BBC is conrj bined with security of office it ma; j grow into a sense of divine right/ I It was expressed there should b i more opportunity for suggestion | from outside the BBC. Governors of BBC and not politi J cal parties should have the ultimat j responsibility of deciding wh j should make controversial broad I casts, the committe stated, ey I pressing hope there would be n 1 recurrence of "anything compa: I able to what happened between tb I wars when Mr. Winston Churchill by desire of the party leaders, wa I denied the opportunity of broac I casting on India." The committee illustrated tr impact of radio by stating thrc out of every four adults at an given time on a winter's evenir are listening to BBC. Page 38 • January 22, 1951 BROADCASTING • Telecastin