Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1955)

OPEN MIKE FIRST in Memphis television since 1948 . Now, WMCT offers advertisers an unparalleled advantage. For only through WMCT will daytime network shows be telecast during October and November. P.S. Of course, the popular NBC nighttime TV shows, as always, will be seen over WMCT. 382,000 Mid-South TV Homes can get these top NBC Network shows from Memphis only on WMCT, DING DONG SCHOOL • TENNESSEE ERNIE • THE WORLD AND MR. SWEENEY • AFTERNOON DRAMAS • PINKY LEE • HOWDY DOODY Result: . . . the largest daytime audience you've ever been able to buy in Memphis. (according to latest distributors' figures.) ' 111 MEMPHIS 1 11 If 1 % I CHANNEL 5 WMC-WMCF-WMCT MEMPHIS' first TV station 100,000 WATTS NBC Basic Affiliate National Representatives Owned and operated by ■ The Branham Company THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL ■A: etc. ) . Next we heard what the Saturday Evening Post planned to do . . . Advertising managers of two local newspapers then reported on the amount of space they had sold to salute the "weak." And it sounded like a substantial amount. The managing editor of a newspaper . . . made the preposterous statement that his paper would do "four times more to promote the week than anyone else at the meeting." Then he made a direct solicitation: "If you (the dealers and distributors present) will back up the week with some ads, we'll do even more." Retailers and distributors (who were present in the majority) pledged their all for good old NR&TW. Then someone thought of asking the stations about their plans. They, of course, spoke of "X" number of spots, etc., each day. The concluding report was from the power company representative (substituting for the absent chairman). After a big build-up he displayed a quarter-page layout that he proudly said would run in all the dailies. This was paid space, mind you . . . If the newspapers can pressure dealers and distributors into using space instead of station time, and the national publications can take over appropriations that should go to the networks and national spot, then what right does broadcasting have in celebrating a week — or for what purpose? Let's start now for an aggressive, hard-punching, non-stop Radio & Television Week in 1956 — for broadcasting, by broadcasting and in the interests of all America . . . Arthur C. Scofield Adv. & Sales Prom. Mgr. Storer Broadcasting Co. Miami Beach, Fla. WBBQ's Star Castle EDITOR: WBBQ noted with considerable interest your article "Radio Under Glass" [B»T, Sept. 19]. Frankly, we were surprised to see the imitators of Star Castle, rather than the originators, filling the four-column story. WBBQ began operation from its Star Castles in August 1954. Every gimmick mentioned in the article plus many more were trial tested by WBBQ. As you well know, the idea of radio under glass is not new at all but goes back many years. WBBQ simply took the idea and glorified it. From the day we started Star Castle programming, we have been besieged by phone calls and personal visits from radio station and drive-in operators through the southeast . . . Our name "Star Castle" is a registered name. It would seem that others have developed their names from "Star Castle" and its theme, "Music by the Stars, under the Stars." . . . Ed Dunbar. Gen. Mgr. WBBQ Augusta, Ga. [EDITOR'S NOTE: In its story on drive-in studios, B«T noted that the idea was being used in many cities, with Star Castle one of the more popular names.] Radio Special EDITOR: Your Sept. 19 issue has rendered a great service to the industry. Please forward 10 extra copies . . . William T. Cranston, V.P. & Gen. Mgr. CKOC Hamilton, Ont. EDITOR: . . . Congratulations for the tremendous job you did on the entire Sept. 19 issue. Clayton Kaufman, Dir. Prom.-Pub. WCCO Minneapolis Page 20 • October 24, 1955 Broadcasting • Telecasting