Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1954)

closed circuit INCENSED over what they regard as antinewspaper policy at FCC, and despite disclaimers that Commission is not discriminating, leading newspaper publishers, through American Newspaper Publishers Assn., intend to go direct to President Eisenhower for clarification of administration's "diversification" views. It's likely call will be made after Nov. 2 elections by top brass of ANPA. ★ ★ ★ LOWER FREQUENCIES, higher power and prior rights to 540 kc appear to be primary aims of Mexico in entering bilateral conversations with U. S. radio delegation to effect final phase of North American Regional Broadcast Agreement (NARBA). Conference gets underway Nov. 4 in Mexico City with Comr. Rosel H. Hyde as chairman of U. S. delegation. Some 15-20 broadcaster observers also will attend. ★ ★ ★ STORER Broadcasting Co., which is set to acquire one uhf (KPTV [TV] Portland, Ore.) by virtue of FCC's new multiple ownership rule which became effective last Friday, is scanning map to determine where it will locate second uhf in compliance with its commitment to foster development of high band. Meanwhile, with no complaint, Storer has been shelling out $1,000 per day in interest since July 21 on its $8.5 million-plus deal to acquire Empire yCoil Co., which includes WXEL (TV) Cleveland (ch. 8) as well as ch. 27 in Portland. FCC this week is expected to act on Storer transfer, plus its sale of KGBS-AM-TV San Antonio for $3.5 million to Express Publishing Co. there. ★ ★ ★ WHILE NO word has been forthcoming from NBC as to where it will apply for its two uhf's under new multiple ownership regulation, reports were current that it was looking with interest at San Francisco and possibly Detroit. Announcement expected this week on its conclusions. ★ ★ ★ ABC's RECENT staff reorganization, stemming largely from losses sustained in contact with National Collegiate Athletic Assn., is expected to have further repercussions—next within NCAA. Aside from criticism of NCAA's tv policies of Big 10 and West Coast athletic groups, there's intramural strife on NCAA Television Committee itself. Explosion may come after football season ends and books are audited on ABC deal. ★ ★ ★ "AREA" COVERAGE of vhf station in large market, initially concern of uhf licensees in nearby markets, now is becoming concern of some vhf'ers too, with trend toward maximum antennas and full power. Vhf operators, who have fared well since lifting of freeze, are evincing concern because they fear full power operation of major market outlets may eventually deprive secondaries of key network affiliations. Studies indicate that perhaps 35 to 50 full-power vhf stations could cover bulk of population if operated from high towers. ★ ★ ★ UNUSUAL DECISION faces FCC if charge of Federal Trade Commission against insurance firms on hospitalization, health and accident policy sticks. At least one of initial 17 companies cited — Bankers Life & Casualty Co. of Chicago— is radio licensee, owning KGA Spokane, which it acquired in Jan. 1953 for approximately $500,000. Last Aug. they also took over KCSJ-AM-TV Pueblo, Colo., on which company held $300,000 mortgage. Final judgment against company would raise question before FCC whether licensee is qualified. ★ ★ ★ "SPECTACULAR" type panel show with production cost running as high as $20,000 per week expected to be launched by Revlon products on ABC-TV, Sundays, 9-9:30 p.m. effective Nov. 28. Show is Goodson-Todman package and will feature remote pickups of everything from window-washer on Empire State Bldg. to movie star on set in Hollywood, with panel guessing their who, what, where. Revlon's agencies are Sullivan Stauffer, Colwell and Bayles and William H. Weintraub and Co., both New York. ★ ★ ★ J. I. MEYERSON, station manager, KOBAM-TV Albuquerque, slated to move to New York this week as national sales representative for all radio-tv stations in which Time Inc. has interest: KOB-AMTV (50%); KDYL-AM-FM and KTVT (TV) Salt Lake City (80%), and KLZAM-FM-TV Denver ( 100% ) . With New York as home base, Mr. Meyerson will work with stations' commercial managers and national representation firms, will also cover Chicago and other major centers. ★ ★ * LATEST pitch in Zenith Radio Corp. campaign to stimulate interest in its Phonevision method of subscription tv is aimed at American Federation of Television & Radio Artists. Letter has been sent to AFTRA directors claiming that union's members would stand to benefit by approval of system at individual station level. Accompanying letter is copy of Phonevision booklet and reprint of article by Dr. Millard C. Faught, Zenith consultant, claiming that supplementary system is inevitable. the week in brief ► Major tv interests jockey for stations 27 Seven more advertisers try new agencies 28 ► Anti-trust action faces top watchmakers 30 What tv netted broadcasters in 1953 32 ► Vitapix, Guild Films plan cooperative effort. . . 42 ► 'Gangbusters,' movie version, may gross $1 million 42 \ ► WSAB fights beer ad restriction 48 r Four meetings left on the NARTB schedule .... 79 ► Tv makes its defense at delinquency hearing ... 52 Broadcasting • Telecasting ^ FTC questions insurance advertising 60 ^ Networks get the Bricker questionnaire 62 ^ FCC ends its tv backlog, drops Footnote 10. . . . 70 ^ WATV (TV) offers guaranteed circulation ... 72 ► O'Neil of Mutual calls for radio network changes 77 ► Mitchell named to head ABC television division 79 ► Zenith, theatre owners battle over pay-tv 80 ^ Gen. Sarnoff foresees more electronic advances . . 81 ► The story of ASCAP's first 40 years 83 ► Commercial tv planning underway in Holland . . 107 ► Telestatus: tv stations, sets, target dates 123 October 25, 1954 • Page 5