Broadcasting Telecasting (Apr-Jun 1957)

NETWORKS ABC Announces 'Sportaculars'; Plan 1 1 Hour, Half-Hour Shows PLANS for a year-round series of "sportaculars"— special programs to be broadcast on the eves of major sports events — have been announced by ABC Radio. "Sportaculars" are described in a brochure circulated by ABC as "special events . . . starring the big sports people — the ones who play in front of the crowds and the ones who make the decisions behind the scenes — starring the big news stories that are immediately uppermost in the minds of millions of fans." Eleven have been planned, some of one hour and some of 30 minutes, starting with one April 14 (7:05-8 p.m. EST) to^mark the opening of the baseball season, and extending through a year-end summary of 1957's major sports news in December or January. Howard Cosell, the lawyer who has acquired a popular reputation as a sportscaster, will handle the programs. ABC Radio is offering the "sportaculars" to advertisers at $ 1 1 ,647 net for a one-hour show, $8,103 net for a half-hour program. These costs include commissionable talent costs of $2,400 and $2,200, respectively. The time costs are based on full network clearance and appropriate rebates will be made for stations not cleared. In addition, ABC is offering to contribute $1,000 toward the cost of advertising, promotion and merchandising for each "sportacular" that is sold. An additional $1,000 per program will be contributed by ABC if a sponsor buys the entire "Sportacular" series and agrees to put up $1,000 of his own toward advertising, promotion and merchandising. CBS-TV Engineering Posts Go To Chamberlain, Chinn, O'Brien NEW ENGINEERING appointments at CBS-TV were announced Thursday by William B. Lodge, vice president of station relations and engineering. They are effective immediately. A. B. Chamberlain, formerly chief engineer, becomes director of engineering. Howard A. Chinn, formerly chief engineer, audio-video division, assumes the new title of chief engineer. Richard S. O'Brien, formerly chief project engineer, becomes assistant director for audio and video engineering. Mr. Lodge said J. D. Parker would continue as assistant director for radio frequency engineering. Fred Wile, Weaver Associate, Opens Beverly Hills Offices FREDERIC W. WILE JR., an associate of of Sylvester L. (Pat) Weaver, former NBC president and board chairman, in what is reportedly a new tv daytime "baby network" venture [B»T, March 18], has opened offices in Suite 210 at 120 El Camion Drive, Beverly Hills, Calif. " Telephone is Crestview 6-2331. He will meet Mr. Weaver today (Monday) in Seattle, where Mr. Weaver will make the main address Wednesday at the annual awards banquet of the Seattle Advertising Club and will speak informally Thursday at a luncheon meeting of the Washington State Broadcasters Assn. While Messrs. Weaver and Wile have declined to comment, it is expected that the plans of the new organization wili be revealed in the Seattle speeches. NBC'S Harry Bannister, vice president in charge of station relations (1), takes his turn at the affiliation contract just signed by representatives of WIIC (TV) Pittsburgh [B«T, April 1]. They are General Manager Robert A. Mortensen (center) and Oscar M. (Pete) Schloss, president of WWSW Inc., permittee for the new ch. 1 1 facility and licensee of WWSW-AM-FM Pittsburgh. TV in Fresno --the big inland California market --means • Best local programs • Basic NBC-TV affiliate Paul H. Raymer Co. National Representative Page 92 • April 8, 1957 Broadcasting • Telecasting