Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1957)

GOVERNMENT Buy KMPC and KSFO Reach 9 out of 10 Californians! KSFO 560 kc San Francisco Reaches 4V2 Million KMPC 710 kc Los Angeles Reaches Th Million GOLDEN WEST BROADCASTERS KMPC KSFO Gene Autry, Chairman, Board of Directors , Robert O. Reynolds, President National Representatives: AM Radio Sales Company Page 76 • January 14, 1957 by Washington country music impressario Connie B. Gay, who also owns WTCR Ashland, Ky., and KLRA Little Rock, Ark. WHRV was sold by Huron Valley Bcstrs. Inc. (John R. Chapman, president) to M. W. Bcstg. Inc. for $110,000. Charles H. Mayne, president and 50% owner of M. W., has Detroit manufacturing firm, automobile sales and investment interests. Vice president and 5% owner Donald T. Wattrick is sports director of WXYZ Detroit. FCC Clarifies Its Position On AT&T Transmission Rates THE FCC has informed the Senate Commerce Committee that the Commission is not warranted at present in acting to reduce AT&T tv transmission service charges, "based on our reviews and analyses" of studies submitted by AT&T and "the level of earnings indicated thereby." The conclusion was contained in a letter, dated Jan. 3, to Committee Chairman Warren G. Magnuson (D-Wash.), in answer to a letter from Sen. Magnuson dated July 19, 1956, regarding testimony by J. W. Boler, president of North Dakota Broadcasting Co. (K B M B-T V Bismarck, KCJB-AM-TV Minot, KXJB-TV Valley City and KSJB Jamestown, all N. D.). Mr. Boler asked that tv stations be allowed to build and maintain their own private relay systems, regardless of the availability of common carrier facilities. The FCC said that for "some time" it has been granting applications by tv broadcasters to build and operate their own relay systems where common carrier facilities are not available and where it is shown the broadcaster "can more quickly provide such facilities for himself." This has enabled small stations to obtain network programs on an economical basis, FCC said, adding that the Commission intends to continue making such authorizations case-by-case pending outcome of its rule-making proceeding (Docket 11164) on the question. The Commission said it has no "first hand" knowledge of Mr. Boler's "alleged difficulties in dealing" with AT&T regarding his application for a private relay from Minneapolis to Fargo, but that the FCC rules "presently contemplate" the authorization of private systems only where common carrier facilities are not available. Triangle's WLBR-TV Purchase Argued Before Full Commission ORAL ARGUMENT was held before the FCC en banc last Monday on the purchase of ch. 15 WLBR-TV Lebanon, Pa., by Triangle Publishing Co. Protesting the purchase, originally approved by the Commission in November 1955, are WHP-TV, WTPA (TV), WCMB-TV, all Harrisburg, Pa., uhf stations, and the Broadcast Bureau. Main points of contention made by the protestants were charges of concentration of control (Triangle owns WFIL-AM-FMTV Philadelphia, 50% of WHGB Harrisburg, WFBG-AM-TV Altoona, Pa., WNHCAM-TV New Haven, Conn., WNBF-AMTV Binghamton, N. Y., Philadelphia Inquirer and several magazines), purported overlap of coverage between WLBR-TV and WFIL-TV and that WLBR-TV would be op erated as a satellite of WFIL-TV. In denying the charges, lawyers for WLBR-TV and Triangle asked for an immediate ruling to provide the people of Lebanon (population 28,000) with local tv service. Fisher Throws Another Wrench Into Storer's Salem V Plans MORE TROUBLE in Storer Broadcasting Co.'s quest for FCC approval of its purchase of ch. 3 KSLM-TV Salem, Ore., and its move closer to Portland, Ore.: Last week C. H. Fisher, Oregon broadcaster, resubmitted his application for the Salem, Ore., facility, asking also that the FCC revoke the 1953 ch. 3 Salem grant to Glenn E. McCormick because no construction has begun. Mr. Fisher first submitted his application for the vhf channel in Salem last spring. It was refused by the Commission last July on the ground that an application could not be filed for a facility already granted. Storer has bought the Salem facility for $27,277 and has asked FCC to waive the multiple ownership rules to permit it to own six vhf television outlets. Present rules limit single ownership to not more than seven tv outlets — not more than five of which may be in the vhf band. Storer also has asked permission to move KSLM-TV nearer Portland, where Storer owns ch. 27 KPTV (TV). Also opposing Storer's request for a waiver of the rules — actually this is the second such request (the Commission denied Storer's petition for a waiver last November—was KGW-TV Portland, Ore. It is belieyed that the Storer petition for reconsideration of the Commission's November denial was to be taken up at the FCC Friday session on ownership rules. Approval of Sale Applications Sought by KVDO-TV, KOAT-TV AGREEMENT for sale of ch. 22 KVDOTV Corpus Christi, Tex., by Gabriel Lazano [At Deadline, Jan. 7] was filed with the FCC last week disclosing names of two of the purchasers. They are E. J. Healy and Hubert Schmidt, who, with other local businessmen, are buying NBC-affiliated KVDOTV for $195,000 including $100,000 in liabilities. Following the drawing up of a contract, an application will be filed, listing all buyers. Also filed with the FCC last week was the sale of ch. 7 KOAT-TV Albuquerque, N. M., to Clinton D. McKinnon. It is planned to call in all outstanding stock and issue debentures in the amount of $156,000 for them. Mr. McKinnon will then purchase stock in the amount of $12,500 and assume obligations for the debentures and about $550,000 in liabilities. KOAT-TV, one of three Albuquerque vhf outlets (others are ch. 4 KOB-TV and ch. 13 KGGM-TV), showed total assets of $544,622 ($81,351 current); total current liabilities of $176,887; deficit to Dec. 31, 1955, of $366,824, and loss for 1956 of $192,883. Balance sheet was as of Oct. 31, 1956. Mr. McKinnon owns 75% of weekly San Diego North Shores Sentinel; 51 % of weekly Coronado (Calif.) Journal, and holds 25% interest in KVOA-AM-TV Tucson, Ariz. Broadcasting Telecasting