Broadcasting Telecasting (Jul-Sep 1954)

closed circuit. FCC DOESN'T propose to wait before approving new multiple ownership rule allowing two uhf outlets per entity in addition to five vhfs. Action can be expected before mid-August. Chairman Potter (RMich.) of Seriate Communications Subcommittee already has given rule his personal blessing but subcommittee hasn't made up its mind. ★ ★ ★ IN ANTICIPATION of raising of multiple ownership limit to include two uhf stations in addition to present limit of five stations of both classes, all networks, plus groupowned operations, reportedly are in process of making allocation studies to determine where best they can operate additional uhfs. Search reportedly centers around markets in top 50 where there are not enough vhfs to accommodate all networks. ★ ★ ★ WHEN ten-man tv advertising bureau committee meets Thursday it will face problem of resolving divergent ideas on official name for new project. "TAB" would conflict with outdoor advertisers' Traffic Audit Bureau; "TvAB" involves opposition of NARTB members who resented that bureau's competitive debut in spring; "TB" has obvious clinical objections. One suggestion: "TvB" for "Television Bureau." ★ ★ ★ THIS WEEK'S FCC meeting (scheduled for Wednesday) may be last full agenda session until after Labor Day. Rosel H. Hyde plans to leave this week for month's vacation in his native Idaho, marking his first vacation since he assumed chairman ship April 18, 1953. Comr. George E. Sterling is back in Washington but proposes to return to his new Peak's Island, Maine, home until about Aug. 15. Meanwhile, Commission is expected to function on limited basis, allowing staff members to get in their vacations, too. ★ ★ ★ SET manufacturers believe Senate move to allow $7 tax credit on tv sets incorporating uhf band is inadequate. One of largest (outside RETMA fold) contends that tuner which would take in only local and near-fringe would cost about $12 and that full-range good tuner would run $14$15 net cost to the manufacturer. Figuring 2lA times cost on consumer price, it would mean $27 for cheap tuner and up to $33.75 for good one. ★ ★ * DID GOV. Gordon Persons of Alabama discuss with President Eisenhower at session last week his possible appointment to FCC after he finishes gubernatorial term at year-end? There was no answer from any responsible quarter. Most speculation was that he and President discussed Phenix City vice and gambling situation. Gov. Persons, brother of Maj. Gen. Wilton B. Persons, deputy assistant to President, was manager of WSFA Montgomery two decades ago and is being supported for next vacancy on FCC, which comes up next June 30 when Comr. Frieda B. Hennock's term expires. ★ ★ ★ AS OF yesterday (Sunday) Clarke A. (Fritz) Snyder wound up as CBS-TV sta tions relations director [Closed Circuit, July 26]-. He's reportedly negotiating for station management post. CBS-TV Station Relations Vice President Herbert V. Akerberg doesn't contemplate naming successor immediately. ★ ★ ★ GENERAL TELERADIO Film Division this week will announce sale in some 20 markets of 30 feature films acquired from Bank of America last March. First sale will represent $1 million total. General Teleradio reportedly paid $1.25 million for rights. Films were released theatrically between 1946 and 1949 but not until now to tv. ★ ★ ★ AFTER APPEARANCE of Comr. Robert E. Lee last Tuesday before National Press Club, as cold and critical an audience as any bureaucrat can face, he was talked up as desirable speaker on public events. He parried questions in give-and-take session following his formal speech with skill that surprised many journalistic veterans. Some of boys began talking up prospect of his appointment to chairmanship, which has been hanging fire since last April, but Comr. Lee has insisted he isn't even remotely a candidate for that post. ★ ★ ★ THERE'S GROWING indignation in station ranks (notably non-NBC outlets) over new Gillette "Look Sharp, Be Sharp" recording as full-length rendition. One DJ (on NBC outlet) described it as "the longest commercial in radio for which nobody gets paid." the week in brief Congress pushes radio-tv matters 31 Mogul and the representatives are still feuding . . 33 *~ Watch tariff boost won't affect ad budgets now . 34 *~ United Television plans sales expansion 36 Radio, tv networks have grossed 19% more in '54 42 NARTB to reveal tv promotion planning 46 Record men, NARTB slate parley on 45's. . . . 48 Lee would enlarge broadcaster responsibility ... 50 Rules group to hear industry's coverage views . . 53 Broadcasting • Telecasting Radio-tv people deny Red affiliations 54 Court upholds FCC's skywave stand 56 Tv-on-air total goes to 390 59 AFTRA holds national meeting in Detroit .... 66 ► ABC-TV schedules 13 weeks of NCAA football 69 High-standard tv from a low budget 78 Animated slides make low-cost commercials .... 79 KOMO does a public service job in Seattle .... 80 ** 'Saturday Review' cites six for public interest . . 87 Saarland is leading Europe in commercial tv . . . 88 **" Telestatus: tv stations, sets, target dates 99 August 2, 1954 • Page 5