Broadcasting Telecasting (Apr-Jun 1957)

closed circuit: BRAKE ON FORD BUY? • Though it's one of biggest network radio transactions in decade, that $5.5 million Ford package buy on CBS Radio (see page 31) is getting careful critical appraisal by affiliates. Some queston whether they should clear for it. primarily because it eats into early-morning and late-afternoon times that are especially lucrative for stations. Network officials, however, maintain confidence that they'll set close to unanimous clearance. B«T IT'S only one of several items on agendo, { but it seems reasonable bet that Ford sale j (see above) will rank high in discussions tat meeting of CBS Radio Affiliates Assn.'s board of directors, called for WednesdayThursday in New York. Board, headed by 1 John M. Rivers of WCSC Charleston, S. C, will meet privately Wednesday (at SavoyPlaza hotel), then confer with network officials Thursday. Another likely subject is more or less perennial agenda item for Mich meetings: effort to get increase in rate of compensation by network. B»T TELEVISION & SENATE • Senate Commerce Committee within next fortnight is expected to give consideration to report submitted by its majority counsel, Kenneth Cox of Seattle, on tv allocations and regulation. Report, now in hands of Committee Chairman Magnuson (D-Wash.) was to have been printed purely as views of counsel. It now develops, however, that committee may be called upon to consider report and possibly adopt it as its own with modifications. B«T SENATOR Bricker (R-Ohio), ranking minority member of the committee, wants to take hard look at report, notably provisions dealing with networks. Himself an advocate of direct licensing of networks by government (they are now regulated only as to their owned and operated stations). Sen. Bricker would join in report, it's believed, if it followed his general ideas along i this line. B«T EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES • CBSTV has firm orders from Kellogg, Pillsbury and Oldsmobile for Big Record (Wed. 8-9 p.m. EDT), but in addition has two other orders for remaining quarter of program. One is from Armour & Co. (through Foote, Cone & Belding) and other is jointly from National Sealtest Co. and Hills Bros, coffee (both through N. W. Aver & Son). Network is trying to resolve problem to determine which advertiser goes with others in backing Big Record next season. B»T BRISTOL-MYERS Co., New York, is expected to sign this week for full half-hour following Disneyland on ABC-TV each week. Advertiser has not yet determined show that will be presented in time period (Wed., 8:30-9 p.m. EDT) but expects to buy "adventure action" series, either live or film. Young & Rubicam, New York, is agency. B»T TELEVISION & HOUSE • Rep. Celler. chairman of House Antitrust Subcommittee, reportedly got heated up over report that one member of subcommittee already had draft of "minority" report on television industry investigation compiled with "outside" aid (story page 53). At last Wednesday's meeting of committee, which covered number of subjects in addition to television report, some members understood to have declared that committee should express hope for expeditious action on matters being studied by FCC Network Study staff and by Dept. of Justice. B»T 1 HERE'S strong feeling on Capitol Hill that if Chairman Celler tries force-feeding other members on proposed staff-written television report, there's likely to be a strong, hard-hitting minority report. Mr. Celler disclaims intention of ramming report down throats of colleagues, but staff indubitably will fight to justify strong position on several aspects. B»T RESIGNATION • Ex-NARTB board member, Lester L. Gould, KFMA Davenport. Iowa, has quietly resigned from association. He's known to feel strongly that radio stations are getting scant attention from association headquarters. When he left NARTB Chicago convention day early last April, he told friends convention programming offered him little help in operating station and slighted radio segment of industry. He served term on radio board (1954-56) as at-large director for small stations. B»T THERE'S logical answer, incidentally, to radio station needs for trade association service, ex-director Gould feels. It's entirely separate association providing complete association service to aural broadcasters, including programming, legislative, public relations and sales functions. While member of Radio Advertising Bureau and supporter of its work, he feels no broadcast association can operate without sales aids to members. He contends radio and tv are separate media and should be served by separate associations. B»T STAR IS BORN • Negotiations were underway last week between networks and Foote. Cone & Belding executives on proposed tv spectacular to herald introduction of Ford Motor Co.'s new Edsel automobile. Agency still hopes to get dual network ex posure for extravaganza being planned by Milberg Productions, probably in September. While network, talent and other considerations not yet resolved, co-star is definitely set — none other than Edsel itself. It's understood car is earmarked for leading role in what is described as unusual copy approach to entertainment. FC&B negotiations being conducted by John Simpson, vice president in charge of radio-tv production, and Homer Heck, account supervisor. B»T FACT that auto manufacturers now have greater control over what kind of national advertising should be used is said to have important role in decision of Ford Division of Ford Motor Co. to use network radio next season (story page 31). Before recent change in advertising policy, dealers' funds influenced control over good portion of ad budget plans. With hands free. Ford's marketing-advertising group was able to consider all media without being hampered by conflicting tastes of dealers throughout country. B»T RENDER UNTO CAESAR • Though his NBC contract still has about seven years to run (counting options), comic Sid Caesar probably can become free agent if he wants to. He and NBC were reported Friday to be at seemingly total impasse on fall plans, with Mr. Caesar demanding minimum of 20 one-hours programs in same format as present show (Sat., 9-10 p.m. EDT) but with NBC officials showing no sign of willingness to go along. Unofficial word was that if he should request release from his contract, NBC probably would oblige. B»T SUBSCRIPTION tv is due to get a going over when top FCC Commissioners and pay tv staff experts meet with Rep. Oren Harris (D-Ark.), chairman of House Commerce Committee tomorrow (Tuesday) at 4 p.m. Subject of discussion will be contents of Rep. Harris' letter to Commission raising basic questions regarding FCC's power to authorize pay-ns-you-see tv, even on trial basis [B»T. April 29]. B«T WHITE HOUSE MAIL • FCC chairman George C. McConnaughey has submitted letter officially notifying President he does not wish to remain at FCC after his present term expires June 30. Presumably President will make letter public when he announces successor. That may take while — race for vacancy is crowded (page 58). B»T CHARLES C. WOODARD. CBS TV assistant general attorney in charge of talent, program and facilities contracts, reportedly tapped for post of assistant to President Donald H. McGannon of Westinghouse Broadcasting Co.. effective soon. Broadcasting Telecasting May 13, 1957 Pase 5 ■i