Broadcasting Telecasting (Jul-Sep 1953)

GOVERNMENT FCC MEETS TO CHART COURSE FOR FUTURE ACTION ON COLOR TV Six petitions for approval of the NTSC standards are before the Commission as it prepares to begin action. Notice of proposed rule making will be the first step — but no one can say when it will be taken. WITH six petitions for approval of the National Television System Committee's standards for compatible color TV on file — GE and Motorola filed last week — the FCC met Friday to lay out the general design of the required proceedings. First formal FCC meeting on color television was exploratory, it was learned, and concerned mainly with broad discussion of what the staff has done and what it might do, as well as establishing the pattern of the contemplated hearings. Although there was some hope that the official notice of proposed rule making might be decided upon at the meeting — so that it can be issued this week — there were some doubts that the Commission would move that quickly. Inforrhed sources are more inclined to think that the notice will be issued next week. The notice of proposed rule making is the first step in any proceeding that the Commission institutes. It is expected to call for comments on the NTSC proposals [B*T, July 27] and also to provide for counter-comments after the initial documents are received. Best estimates on time in which the Commission will ask for comments range from 30 to 45 days, and for counter comments, from 15 to 30 days. Course of Hearing Just what course the Commission's hearings will take after that is, at the moment, conjectural. It is believed that some sort of demonstration will be required, and also that a short session of oral interrogation may be combined with the demonstration. Most of the proceeding, it is hoped in FCC circles, will be on paper. Fact that there have been no opposing petitions— thus implying industry unanimity — has given rise to the belief that the Commission might move rapidly in the matter. But there have been warnings by responsible FCC officials that the establishment of new color TV standards is too serious to be expected in any hurried maner. It also was pointed out that the Commission was extremely conscious of its delicate position in view of the fact that it had adopted the CBS-sponsored field sequential color TV system in 1950, over the objections of most of the radio-TV manufacturers. The only opposition which might arise was expected to come from CBS or DuMont. CBS, however, has informed the Commission that it supports the NTSC standards. Although Dr. Allen B. DuMont has not publicly stated his position, it was learned on good authority last week that he has decided not to oppose the adoption of the NTSC standards. He still is not convinced, it is understood, that the NTSC system is the right one or the most economical one. All of the companies seeking FCC approval of the compatible color TV system — RCANBC filed first in June [B*T, June 29]— have maintained that the proposed standards meet the criteria for color TV established by the Commission in its 1950 decision. However, RCA-NBC, Philco and GE have asked that the provision that a Washington demonstration be held be waived on the ground that no facilities exist in Washington for that purpose. They have asked the Commission to attend demonstrations in other cities where transmitters are already geared for NTSC color transmissions — New York, Philadelphia or Syracuse. The same three companies have admitted that, at the present state of development, the Commission's criterion that color receivers be cheap enough for the mass of the American public cannot be met. But, they emphasized, should the NTSC standards be approved, the industry would be given the incentive to improve apparatus so as to bring it down to the mass production-mass priced market. Key to the apparatus problem is the tricolor tube. The manufacture of such a kinescope is a complex and costly process, it has been acknowledged. So far, only RCA and Chromatic Television Labs, (half-owned by Paramount Pictures) have demonstrated tricolor tubes. GE, Sylvania and Rauland (owned by Zenith Radio Corp.) have announced, however, that they also have manufactured polychrome cathode ray tubes, but have not demonstrated them. GE's petition recounted the activities of its representatives on the NTSC and estimated that its personnel contributed close to 1,000 engineering man months of work to that organization. (Dr. W. R. G. Baker, vice president in charge of GE's Electronic Div., is chairman of NTSC). GE stated that for competitive reasons it did not desire to disclose its investment in color research. Satisfaction that the primary apparatus considerations of the Commission criteria have been met was expressed by GE. After stating that "it is clear that the receiver apparatus now available ... is not at this lime 'cheap enough in price to be available to the great mass of the American purchasing public' " GE went on: Cites 'Essential Incentive' "Adoption of such standards at this would create the essential incentive to petitive development of apparatus which would be commercially practicable with special emphasis on economic considerations . . ." GE therefore suggested that the FCC limit its apparatus considerations to demonstrations or other proofs of the "potential inherent apparatus-wise under the signal specifications now proposed . . ." A GE color receiver will be supplied to the FCC's laboratory in 30 to 45 days, the GE petition said. Motorola said that it beUeved the NTSC standards comply with the Commission's criteria in all respects. It said that receivers can be built to meet the FCC provision, and that Motorola has built such receivers and will demonstrate them to the Commission upon request. stage com To Make FTC Survey HARRY A. BABCOCK, officer in charge of the Federal Trade Commission's Washington, D. C, branch office, has been designated by FTC Chairman Edward F. Howrey as his special assistant and will make a survey of the FTC's investigative activities to help determine whether changes should be made in methods and procedures or in day-to-day operations. Johnson Applauds CBS CBS's announcement of support for the NTSC system of color TV — and of its plan to start experimental color network broadcasts in mid-September [B*T, July 27] — brought a warm commendation last week from Sen. Edwin C. Johnson 'CDColo.), ranking Democrat on the Senate Interstate & Foreign Commerce Committee and for the past three years an outspoken adherent of getting color TV going. Sen. Johnson said, in an extension of remarks in the July 28 Congressional Record, that CBS's letter to its affiliates was evidence of "patriotism and good sportsmanship." In offering to begin compatible color broadcasts, CBS "in the public interest . . . offers no delaying tactics to the color telecast systems of others," the Senator said. KSTM-TV CHALLENGES CLAIMS OF WTVI (TV) KSTM-TV St. Louis, Ch. 36 permittee there, in complaints to the Federal Trade Commission and the FCC has charged WTVI (TV) BeUeville. 111., uhf Ch. 54 permittee, with violation of the FTC Act by calling itself a St. Louis station and saying it already is on the air, and with economic injury to KSTM-TV and possible violation of FCC rules by failing to make "full disclosure" (that it is a "St. Louis station") in its FCC application. WTVI was charged in the letter Monday to the FTC with violating Section 5(a) of the FTC Act (prohibiting unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in commerce) by advertising it is a St. Louis station when it is in fact a Belleville station and that it "now is on the air" when such is not the case. In a separate letter Tuesday to the FCC, KSTM-TV said WTVI's advertisements that it is a St. Louis station are inconsistent with its FCC application to serve the people of Belleville, 111. If WTVI (TV) will cease advertising it is a St. Louis outlet, however, and will serve the people of Belleville, then KSTM-TV will not have to file a protest under Section 309(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, the letter informed the FCC. Belleville is located across the Mississippi River, several miles from St. Louis. 16 Set for Hearing SIXTEEN TV applications were scheduled for hearing last week by FCC in a half-dozen comparative proceedings. All will be heard in Washington. The cases are: August 6 Canton. Ohio — Uhf Ch. 29. Brush-Moore Newspapers Inc. (WHBC), Stark Telecasting Corp. (WCMW) and Tri-Cities Telecasting Inc. August 28 Grand Rapids, Mich.— Uhf Ch. 23. Music Bcstg. Co. (VVGRD), W. S. Butterfleld Theatres Inc. and Peninsular Bcstg. Co. Little Rock, Ark. — Vhf Ch. 11. Arkansas Bcstg. Co. (KLRA), Arkansas TV Co. (KTHS), Little Rock TV Corp. and Arkansas Telecasters Inc. Erie, Pa.— Uhf Ch. 35. Great Lakes TV and Civic TV Inc. Erie, Pa. — Uhf Ch. 66. Erie TV Corp. and Commodore Perry Bcstg. Service Inc. Jackson, Miss. — Vhf Ch. 3. Lamar Life Bcstg. Co. (WJDX) and Delta Sales Corp. Page 56 August 3, 1953 Broadcasting Telecasting