Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1956)

GOVERNMENT Broadcasters Request Uhf Band Continuation A GROUP of established uhf broadcasters pleaded with the FCC last week to maintain the uhf band and give some public statement to counteract talk that uhf isn't any good. The five broadcasters, all operating successful uhf outlets, met with six FCC commissioners (Comr. Webster was absent) last Tuesday in Washington. The five: Thomas P. Chisman, WVEC-TV Hampton-Norfolk, Va.; Roger L. Putnam, WWLP (TV) Springfield-Holyoke, Mass.; R. Morris Pierce, WINT (TV) WaterlooFort Wayne, Ind.; David M. Baltimore, WBRETV Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Allen M. Woodall, WDAK-TV Columbus, Ga. Uhf can work, Mr. Chisman, acting as spokesman for the group, told the commissioners, but comments by individual commissioners and others that uhf is an inferior service should be stopped. Uhf technically is a good service, Mr. Chisman declared, and can perform a service for the public. Mr. Chisman also urged that the Commission maintain the uhf band so that there exists the possibility of 3,000 tv stations. Confining tv to the vhf band means a potential of only 600 stations, Mr. Chisman declared, and that is against public policy. Even the addition of extra vhf channels would not counter this restriction on tv's growth, he added. This would still leave a conversion problem, he said. Mr. Chisman also said the group was opposed to the suggestions for the addition of "substandard" vhf channels and of drop-ins. He held that deintermixture in some areas would help the success of uhf. Twin Falls Ch. 13 Grant Reinstated by Commission GRANT for a new tv station at Twin Falls, Idaho, which was set for hearing by the FCC following a protest by Southern Idaho Broadcasting & Tv Co. (KLIX-AM-TV Twin Falls) [B»T, Jan. 9], was reinstated by the Commission last week. The FCC order, which dismissed the protest and made the ch. 13 grant effective immediately, came after Southern Idaho had indicated to the Commission that it no longer cared to prosecute its protest because of the proposed sales of KLIX-AM-TV. The grant was issue last November to Magic Valley Tv Co. (KHTV [TV]) for a partial satellite operation at Twin Falls in conjunction with KIDO-TV Boise. In objecting to the grant, KLIX-AM-TV called KHTV's proposals "unrealistic," and claimed the satellite would cause economic injury to KLIX-TV. Elyria Renewal Proposed AS he indicated he would a fortnight ago in finding two newspapers in default on their protest against license renewal for WEOL Elyria, Ohio [B»T, Jan. 23], FCC Hearing Examiner Herbert Sharfman last week issued an initial decision recommending license renewal and formally finding the Lorain Journal and Mansfield Journal in default. Mr. Sharfman's decision held that the newspapers had failed to discharge their burden of proof under four of five issues. The newspapers, which were assigned the burden of proof, asked to have it shifted to the station, but the FCC turned down that request. Page 54 • January 30, 1956 Mayor's Committee Endorses Tv to Spotlight City Functions RECOMMENDATION that commerciallysponsored television programs be used to dramatize the activities of New York City departments and agencies was contained in a report made public last week by the Mayor's Committee on Television Policy. The report suggested that the heads of the departments and agencies be given the power to make final decision on participation in such television programs and also be authorized to give final approval on individual scripts. The report noted that while the city can expect a limited income from cooperation on commercially-sponsored programs, it should look to "greater public information about city government as the thing of real value to accrue from television." Mayor Robert F. Wagner, who appointed a special committee to study the potentialities of television programming based on city cooperation, said he agreed in general with the recommendations and findings and would announce his own policy after a careful study of the report. The study was ordered by the mayor after his approval of a proposed tv program to be produced by a long-time friend, Theodore Granik, was followed by criticism from both the press and other tv producers. A spokesman for Mr. Granik said he would now re-submit his proposal for a program dramatizing city activities. House Antitrust Group Plans Probe of 'Regulated Monopoly' THE "inordinate increase of economic power" by industries that are regulated by government agencies, including radio and tv, will be looked into, according to Rep. Emanuel Celler (D-N. Y.), chairman of the House Antitrust Subcommittee and its parent Judiciary Committee. In a news interview, Rep. Celler said that the antitrust group would hold general or exploratory hearings for "several weeks" in the various regulated fields and then go into specific industries in an investigation of "monopoly by regulation." He charged that some regulated industries have become the "regulators," and added: "In instances there has been practically no regulation of any consequence. The result is a budding and spreading monopoly." Rep. Celler did not set a date for hearings. A spokesman for the subcommittee said no definite decision will be made about which industries will be investigated until after the exploratory hearings. Mentioned during the Celler interview were aviation, railroads, radio and tv, and power. WCBR Sale Filed With FCC APPLICATION was filed with the FCC last week for transfer of control of WCBR Memphis, Tenn., from Chickasaw Broadcasting Co. to Jules J. Paglin and Stanley W. Ray, for about $70,000. The sale agreement specifies $10,250 cash plus assumption of about $60,000 in obligations. WCBR, which began operation in 1952, is on 1480 kc and operates with power of 1 kw day. Mr. Paglin and Mr. Ray own WBOK New Orleans, WXOK Baton Rouge and KAOK Lake Charles, all Louisiana, and KYOK Houston, Tex. Mr. Paglin is president and Mr. Ray is vice president of their broadcasting properties, which specialize in Negro programming. Because So much simpler to have your show on film ! No serious upsets then when stars are ill or need rest. No cause for worry about "slips" or "fluffs" ! Besides, it's the modern way to rehearse and . . . then film and edit for final perfection. Know in advanceleave nothing to chance . . . USE EASTMAN FILM! For complete information write to: Motion Picture Film Department EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY Rochester 4, N. Y. or W. J. GERMAN, INC. Agents for the sale and distribution of Eastman Professional Motion Picture Films Fort Lee, N. J.; Chicago, HI.; Hollywood, Calif. Bast Coast Division 342 Madison Avenue New York \ 7, N. Y. Midwest Division 1 37 North Wabash Avenue Chicago 2, Illinois Wesf Coasf Division 6706 Santa Monica Blvd Hollywood 38, Calif. AND BE SURE to film IN COLOR . . . You'll be glad you did