Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1956)

closed circuit STITCH IN TIME • To resist efforts to preclude spot sales representation by networks of their affiliated stations, all nonCBS owned affiliates now represented by its radio and television spot sales organizations, have retained counsel and plan to present their case to FCC's Network Study Group. Stations contend they have legal right to select their own sales representatives and have retained Covington & Burling, Washington law firm. Coordinator is John S. Hayes, president of Washington Post radio and tv stations (WTOP-AM-FM-TV Washington; WMBRAM-TV Jacksonville). Others understood to be WBT-WBTV(TV) Charlotte; WBTW(TV) Florence; WCAU-AM-TV Philadelphia; KSL-AM-TV Salt Lake City; KOIN-AM-TV Portland, Ore.; KGUL (TV) Galveston; WRVA Richmond and WCCO Minneapolis. It's presumed group also has considered long-range plan in event representation divestiture comes. B»T ANTITRUST Division of Dept. of Justice is watching developments in color tv "like a hawk," according to one operator in forefront of color set manufacturing exploration. Every facet of color development, this source avers, is being scrutinized as to plans for licensing, manufacturing and marketing, (see story on other Justice Dept. investigations, page 76.) B»T NO SUPPORT • Though they aren't yet talking about it, all three tv networks probably will oppose new amendment to political broadcasting law submitted last week by Sen. Lyndon Johnson (D-Tex.), majority leader (story page 84). All look upon it as device for politicans to obtain more free time. B«T WHAT'S MORE, ABC probably will oppose any amendment to existing law. In private letter commenting on earlier amendment originally proposed by CBS, ABC said it liked things as they are. "Privilege" of putting candidates on tv news and discussion programs "should not be left to the broadcaster to dispense unregulated by law," ABC letter said. CBS-sponsored bill would give broadcasters right to put candidates on news and discussion programs without having to provide equal time for other candidates. Johnson bill would eliminate equal time provisions in all programs only for presidential and vice presidential candidates of parties which polled certain number of votes in previous elections or could produce petitions signed by 1% of total vote in preceding presidential election. B«T TIME BANK • Now that President Eisenhower is GOP's avowed candidate for second term, Democrats are keeping close tab on time used for or in behalf of his '"candidacy". Already on sustaining time "bank" is Democratic request for halfhour to offset Vice President Richard M. Nixon's Lincoln Day talk wherein he alluded to "Republican" Chief Justice Warren as having handed down desegregation opinion. Second request for equal time exploded last Wednesday after Ike's use of all networks to formally explain his decision to run (story page 31). B»T TIME snarl as two major parties seek choice network facilities for campaign is getting serious. NBC expected to submit schedule of radio-tv availabilities, while CBS wants to draw up own timetable. ABC-TV, planning major reshuffling as part of tv expansion program, wants several weeks before making decisions since it would suffer heavily if new features were bumped in early stages. Democrats planning extensive plane-train whistlestopping by Presidential candidate in view of President Eisenhower's spurning of familiar campaign custom, plus liberal use of radio-tv time. B»T GOODNIGHT, MRS. CALABASH? Texas Co. and NBC-TV are understood to be considering dropping Jimmy Durante show, (Sat., 9:30-10 p.m.) next fall because of rating difficulties. Advertiser would keep time period, however. Kudner Agency, New York, is agency. B»T HAVING tossed first bomb in his Look article proposing "let's try it" approach to subscription tv. FCC Comr. Robert E. Lee is pondering idea that toll plan might be used for telethons and other big name drives to raise funds painlessly for political campaign expenditures or for eleemosynary purposes. Income from such projects, with talent contributed, he feels, might be geared toward equitable distribution to political candidates. He admits he hasn't "thought it through" but feels it has potential in light of current Congressional consideration of campaign contributions. B»T SECRET BALLOT • NARTB's refusal to divulge vote in referendum approving by-laws change that removes at-large directors from Radio Board next year will provide more fuel for criticism by dissident members. It's known that opposition surprised supporters of by-laws change, with narrow 4-to-3 vote in contrast to former 100-to-l endorsements of by-laws amendments. No explanation was given for withholding vote contrary to precedent. B»T FCC Network Study staff has been mulling additional explorations of segments of broadcasting — other than network, advertising and talent agencies, program pro ducers and distributors and station reps, already visited for orientation during last few months. Next trip, may be: West Coast, and — viewing groups, like PTAs, American Assn. of University Women, League of Women Voters, National Audience Board, National Assn. for Better Radio & Tv. B«T BBC REPORT • What Britain's non-commercial BBC thinks about Britain's commercial ITA will be heard firsthand by New York Radio-Television Executives Society March 21 from BBC's head man, Sir Ian Jacob, director-general. But they're likely to hear more because BBCers became indignant over what they regarded as untoward comments on BBC's operations from lips of FCC Chairman George C. McConnaughey last Sept. 14 after chairman has returned from his European trip, when he commented ITA operations should put BBC on its toes and that BBC hasn't given people programs they wanted. B»T ARE movie interests seeking to scuttle Emmy awards? Sources close to Jerry Lewis say he was forced by Hollywood motion picture pressure to renege after having agreed to serve as m.c. of NBC-TV broadcast (sponsored by Oldsmobile) of awards ceremony March 17. Though Mr. Lewis denies his change of mind was forced upon him, it is known that months ago he accepted, without reservation, invitation to preside. Dispute over validity of Emmy nominations, opened last week when Jack W ebb protested category of Dragnet classification, may not be at end; but members of Academy of Television Arts & Sciences are closing ranks. Ed Sullivan (who today becomes chairman of next year's awards committee), Milton Berle, Gale Storm, Ralph Edwards and others have called for confidence in academy and its method of selecting nominations. B»T SRO • Will networks have their time at bat before Senate Commerce Committee week of March 12? Committee doesn't know, is having trouble lining up hearing room amid spate of other hearing sessions on Hill. No hearings planned this week in Senate group's uhf-vhf inquiry but if space available "two or three" days will be set week of March 12. Committee has list of less than half-dozen uhf and vhf operators it would like to hear before turning to networks. Senate group somewhat cool to networks' expressed desire to testify on allocations first, network phase later. B»T NBC-TV is considering placing another 90-minute color spectacular into Friday 8:30-10 p.m. period once every four weeks, starting next fall. Broadcasting • Telecasting March 5, 1956 • Page