Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1956)

STATIONS surveys were distorted during certain rating periods and if they are to have any meaning at all, they should be reasonably accurate." He added that it was possible the discussions might eventually lead to a proposed code of practices. Broadcasters themselves were represented as feeling such promotions are covered by the NARTB Standards of Practice and no local code may be necessary — a sentiment which the BBB seemed to share as well, Mr. Jordan indicated. The issue arose at a preliminary meeting Jan. 5 and gathered momentum with the release of letters by Hugh K. Boice Jr., general manager of WEMP; I. E. Showerman, manager of WISNAM-TV, and Bill Weaver, manager of WRIT [Open Mike, Jan. 23, 16, 9]. Texas Senate Probers Ban Filming by Tv Cameraman THE TEXAS Senate's General Investigating Committee has banned filming for use on television of the insurance probe being conducted by the committee at the state capital of Austin. Key Herbert, WBAP-TV Fort Worth cameraman, was ordered to remove his camera from the committee room after four of five senators on the committee voted that televising the proceedings would not "contribute to the best interest of the hearings" and expressed concern that it would set a precedent for televising all future actions of the committee. The cameraman, however, later was reported to have filmed the committee in action from a nearby room. Television In, Then Out, Of California Superior Court THE DOORS to a California court were opened to tv last Wednesday when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charles W. Fricke allowed KNXT (TV) there to film the trial of a county board of supervisors chairman accused of perjury. Those same doors were slammed shut Thursday when Judge Fricke complained that the camera made too much noise. Sam Zelman, KNXT director of news, said that Judge Fricke had allowed the coverage with several restrictions: the camera must shoot silent film footage, be a noiseless instrument, that no lights or tripod be used and that the cameraman not film the judge or jury. The defense attorney also agreed to the tv coverage, Mr. Zelman said. Two Department Stores Take 'Window' Shows Hecht's in Washington and Gimbels in New York are the first to sign for the 5-minute color programs on NBCowned stations in their cities. TWO department stores — each a leader in the city where it is located — have signed as first sponsors of Window, a tv program concept that is set for premiere by NBC-owned stations Feb. 13. Contracts have been signed by Hecht's in Washington, D. C. (on WRC-TV Washington), and by Gimbels in New York (on WRCATV New York). NBC first disclosed details of the Window concept at a color demonstration held in New York City early this month during a sales promotion session before the National Retail Dry Goods Assn. [B»T, Jan. 16]. As explained at that time by Charles R. Denny, vice president of NBC-owned stations and NBC Spot Sales, a Window is a five-minute shopping program in which commercials are integrated with informative editorial material, with the merchandise of the sponsoring store displayed and demonstrated. Window segments may be inserted in program schedules at various times of the day. The Hecht Co. will use five Window programs a week, tentatively scheduled for 7:55-8 a.m., Monday through Friday, starting Feb. 13, to advertise "soft goods," ranging from fashions and clothing to homewares and a wide variety of other merchandise, Harold Melnicove, vice president in charge of publicity and store planning, and Samuel Cohen, advertising director of the department store, said Thursday, when the contract was announced by Carleton D. Smith, NBC vice president and general manager of WRC-AM-TV. The Hecht Co. participation in Window was placed through Henry J. Kaufman & Assoc., Washington. The Gimbels purchase is being announced today (Monday) by Hamilton Shea, NBC vice president for WRCA-AM-TV, for a 13-week period and provides five 5-minute Windows a week on the station. The Gimbels program will be seen once a day in color (Mon.-Fri.), alternating between 8:55 and 9:55 a.m. In New York, Pegeen Fitzgerald will act as sales-hostess on the programs. Gimbels, WRCA-TV noted, recently renewed its contract on WRCA-AM. Louis Tannenbaum, sales promotion director LOOKING OVER plans for the Window programs which the Hecht Co. will sponsor on WRC-TV Washington are (I to r): seated, Carleton D. Smith, NBC vice president and general manager of WRC-AMTV; Harold Melnicove, Hecht Co. vice president in charge of publicity and store planning; standing, Charles de Lozier, WRC-TV sales manager, and Samuel Cohen, Hecht Co. advertising director. for Gimbels, said the store "looks forward with enthusiasm to the exciting new Window plan." He said Gimbels intends to use the program to sell "fashion" and "general" merchandise. "Retailers at Gimbels," he said, "feel that this new concept is a tremendous vehicle for moving department store merchandise." Tele-Broadcasters Puts 200,000 Shares on Block TELE-BROADCASTERS Inc. will issue 200,000 shares of common stock to raise funds for the purchase of additional broadcasting properties and working capital for a subsidiary, TeleCommunications Inc., an engineering firm specializing in communications problems. The stock, valued at $1.50 a share, will be underwritten by the Joseph Mandell Co. of New York City, according to H. Scott Killgore, Tele-Broadcasters president and treasurer. Tele-Broadcasters owns WKXV Knoxville, Tenn.; WARE Ware, Mass., and WKXL Concord, N. H. Mr. Killgore said that the corporation has purchased a fourth property, an "am station in one of the top 20 markets" whose identity he did not disclose, and is negotiating for the purchase of a fifth radio station. The company was formed in 1954. William R. Sweeney is vice president. Atlass, Government Settle $128,285 Tax Delinquency H. LESLIE ATLASS, CBS vice president and general manager of WBBM-AM-TV Chicago, has reached a settlement of certain income tax deficiencies claimed by the government, according to figures made public in the U. S. Tax Court in Chicago last Monday. According to the stipulation Mr. Atlass settled a $128,285.15 tax claim (covering returns of 1946-47 and 1948-49) for $48,882.83. The government declined to allow deductions of $74,906.31 for entertainment and $112,890.65 for losses in connection with Mr. Atlass' farm in Wheaton, 111. According to the government, his 1946-47 tax return was short $61,361.77 and the 194849 joint return short $66,923.38. Page 60 • January 30, 1956 Broadcasting • Telecasting