Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1956)

GOVERNMENT stations and approve the use of booster and translator stations; that the FCC deintermix "on a sufficiently broad basis to create a nucleus of predominantly uhf service areas from which uhf may grow and expand"; that multiple owners and others with "resources and know-how" be encouraged to undertake operation of uhf stations, and that Congress repeal the 10% federal excise tax on all-channel color tv receivers. He described RCA's pioneering in uhf tv, leading to 1,000 kw ERP stations. He said costs for transmitters and antennas to achieve maximum power (316 kw ERP) in the high part of the vhf band and in uhf (1,000 kw ERP) are approximately the same ($235,500 for uhf, $250,500 for vhf), with operating costs also alike. He noted FCC's proposed rule to raise uhf maximum powers to 5,000 kw, and cited RCA's experiments beginning last January in which an ERP of 4,500 kw was achieved in uhf, later increased to 8,000 kw. He said cost of gear producing 4,500 kw for a commercial uhf station would approximate $550,000. Mr. Engstrom cited RCA experiments with boosters and its conclusions that boosters would be helpful to some uhf stations in increasing coverage. He said the noise factor in uhf sets has been reduced from 18-25 db to 11-14 db, but this still is not comparable to vhf sets. He said other improvements have been made in spurious radiation, tuning and receiving antennas. He noted RCA promotion of allchannel sets and said the black-and-white set differential between uhf and vhf sets has been reduced from $50-$60 to $25. Differential for RCA's new line coming out in mid-1956 has not been determined, he added. He said the percentage of RCA's production of black-and-white all-channel receivers is 40% above the average of the balance of the industry, but that total industry percentages show all-channel set production was 19.6% in 1953, 19.9% in 1954 and 15.2% in 1955. In asking repeal of the excise tax on allchannel color receivers, Mr. Engstrom said that RCA heretofore has produced only all-channel color sets. "However, recognizing the realities of the situation and the competitive picture, as we move into higher rates of production we must plan to make vhf-only color receivers as well as all-channel color receivers." He said if buying habits for color tv prove to be the same as for black and white when RCA announces its new line of color receivers "within a few months," RCA would expect to produce about four-fifths of its color sets to tune vhf only and the rest all-channel. Mr. Ferman of ACLU called for a "basic congressional study of the inadequacy of present service and the present and future needs for broadcasting services." Congress should be guided by authorities from "all institutions which conduct or are served by the communications media," he said, including representation from journalism, publishing, education, social and political science. The study should be concerned only with the issue of "multiplicity of channels," and not with content of programs, which "could lead to undesired government interference with opinion," Mr. Ferman said. The ACLU Washington director also urged that the FCC's present study "of its allocating policies be pursued to a conclusion as quickly as possible so that present licensing will be conducted more in line with the public interest." He said ACLU has noted "with grave concern the competitive disadvantage of uhf channels in relation to vhf channels," adding that the "great social impact of tv broadcasting may justify even radical measures of channel reallocation and expansion at the expense, if necessary, of some of the government and private services." Union Protests Miami Grant Mr. Biemiller said AFL-CIO desired preservation of all 82 tv channels and of educational television and criticized the FCC's grant of ch. 7 in Miami to Biscayne Television Corp. He said AFL's executive council on March 5, 1955, protested an examiner's decision favoring the grant on grounds (1) 85% of the grantee's stock was owned by Miami Daily News and Miami Herald principals; (2) both newspapers then owned local radio stations; (3) this radionewspaper ownership was absentee, and (4) both newspapers had anti-labor policies. The grant, made in January, has been appealed and is in the courts, he said. He claimed the two newspapers used lockout practices against a typographical union seven years ago. Mr. Biemiller asked that the committee investigate the Miami ch. 7 case and the "probable effects of this decision on the growth of monopoly trends in the news media field." He asked senators also to request the FCC to stay a construction permit to Biscayne until the committee considers monopoly aspects and the courts have ruled on the issues under appeal, since "it is all too plain from past experience that once a station is constructed it is almost impossible to obtain reversal of a grant by any procedure." He charged that there is "some indication FCC has changed its own rules" in making grants and told the committee his union has not asked the Justice Dept. to investigate the case. He said, however, that the Senate Judi POSITION WANTED Top flight salesman specializing in articles and services used by farm and small town families. For thirty years has consistently turned in the highest sales records in Kansas and adjoining states. Knows this territory and its people intimately. Can furnish glowing recommendations from hundreds of America's leading businesses. Working hours and reimbursement can be arranged to suit your individual requirements. For complete details, call your Capper Man or write direct to WIBW — The Voice of Kansas — Topeka, Kansas. Page 68 • March 19, 1956 Broadcasting • Telecasting