Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1956)

FCC Wants Further Inquiry Of Seattle Ch. 7 Applicant THE three competing applications for ch. 7 at Seattle, Wash., one of which had been favored for the grant in a hearing examiner's initial decision, were remanded to the examiner by FCC order last week. FCC Hearing Examiner Thomas H. Donahue's decision favored Queen City Broadcasting Co. and recommended denial of the applications of Puget Sound Broadcasting Co. and KXA Seattle. The FCC ordered the record reopened for the purpose of permitting inquiry into the activities of Saul Haas, Queen City president, during his tenure as editor and part owner of the Seattle Record during the late '20s. The examiner had ruled that Mr. Haas' previous newspaper experience was not relevant to the tv proceeding. Ft. Smith Citizens Group Protests KNAC-TV Sale A GROUP of Ft. Smith, Ark., citizens will appear before the FCC to object to the sale of ch. 5 KNAC-TV (initial decision) that city, to Southwestern Publishing Co. (Donald W. Reynolds). The Commission last week ordered oral argument March 20 to determine if the record should be reopened on the application of American Tv Co. to assign KNAC-TV's cp to Southwestern. FCC Hearing Examiner Basil P. Cooper has recommended grant of the application. The Commission's action followed a request to be heard filed by the "Citizens Group for Two Television Stations in Ft. Smith," which claims the assignment will leave Ft. Smith with only one tv station (ch. 22 KFSA-TV, presently operating, is owned by a Southwestern subsidiary). The citizen's group, comprised of Ft. Smith business and professional people, also charges that the assignment will result in a concentration of media control in that Southwestern publishes the only Ft. Smith daily newspapers (morning Southwest American and afternoon Times Record) in addition to its control of KFSA-AM-FM-TV. The group accompanied its protest with signatures of 198 local people sympathetic to the group's purpose and endorsements from Arkansas Senators John L. McClellan (D) and J. W. Fulbright (D) favoring oral argument on the group's objections. Segregation Issue Enters Pennsylvania Am Protest SEGREGATION was among the charges made last week in two exceptions to an initial decision recommending an am grant to Levittown-Fairless Hills, Pa. The protestants, WTOA (FM) Trenton and WLDB Atlantic City, N. J., alleged, among other things, that the company which owns the Levittown-Fairless Hills housing project excludes Negroes from residence there. The protestants also said that neither Levittown nor Fairless Hills (both are unincorporated) is a "community" within the meaning of the Communications Act. WTOA described the localities as "dormitory suburbs" of Philadelphia and Trenton. The disputed initial decision favored Drew J. T. O'Keefe and associates for 1490 kc, 250 w unlimited at Levittown-Fairless Hills and recommended denial of WTOA's aoplication for the same facilities at Trenton [B«T, Feb. 27]. During the hearing it was brought out that Mr. O'Keefe's proposal would cause some interference to WLDB's operation. Johnson Firm Buys 50% Of KRGV-TV Weslaco, Tex. KRGV-TV Weslaco, Tex., last week filed an application with the FCC for transfer of 50% control to the LBJ Co. for $5,000 plus a loan of $140,000. The transfer agreement also called for a loan of $103,000 to KRGV Weslaco for which LBJ Co. is to receive an option to purchase 50% of the am. The LBJ Co., of which Mrs. Claudia T. (Lady Bird) Johnson (wife of Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson [D-Tex.] Senate majority leader, and mother of minority LBJ stockholders Lucy Baines Johnson and Lynda Byrd Johnson) is the majority principal, is owner of KTBC-AM-FM Austin, Tex., and controls 29% of KWTX-AMTV Waco, Tex. O. L. (Ted) Taylor, former station representa tive will retain 50% interest in the station and will continue as general manager. According to the application filed with the Commission, KRGV-TV owes Mr. Taylor $90,000. WNAO-TV Raleigh Appeals WNAO-TV Raleigh, N. C. (ch. 28) last week asked the U. S. Court of Appeals to reverse the FCC's denial of its petition to intervene in the Raleigh ch. 5 case. The uhf station said that if a vhf station begins operating in Raleigh, it would have to cease operating. The FCC denied the ch. 28 outlet's petition last January [B»T, Jan. 16]. A final decision is being awaited in the vhf hearing following oral argument between applicants WRAL and WPTF, both Raleigh, several weeks ago. WRAL holds an initial decision in its favor for the facility. SOME "FAN FARE"! IN ROCHESTER, N. Y. EACH OF THESE 4 PROGRAMS RANKS FIRST IN COMPETITION WITH FIVE OTHER RADIO STATIONS! "MUSICAL CLOCK" 37.6 Share of Audience 8 A.M. ^JEWS 39.0 Share of Audience Yes, according to the latest PULSE Report (OctoberNovember, 1955) Rochesterians prefer these acrossthe-board radio shows: Ed Meath and the "Musical Clock", 6:15-9:30 A.M.; Warren Doremus and the "8 A.M. News"; Dorothy Cotton and "To The Ladies", 9:30-10.00 A.M.; and Ed Meath and "Open House", 5:00-6:00 P.M. If Rochesterians prefer to watch 'em, you should prefer to buy spots in 'em! Contact us for availabilities! "TO THE LADIES" 31.5 Share of Audience "OPEN 23.2 Share of Audience BUY WHERE THEY'RE LISTENING: WHEG NEW YORK 5,000 WATTS Representative!: EVERETT McKINNEX, Inc. New Ydrk, Chicago, LEE F. O'CONNELL CO., toi Angeles, Son Francisco Broadcasting • Telecasting March 19, 1956 • Page 77