Broadcasting Telecasting (Apr-Jun 1957)

MANUFACTURING Motorola Net Sales Drop Blamed on Tv Set Volume A DROP in net sales at Motorola Inc. for the first quarter of 1957 was attributed by Board Chairman Paul V. Galvin to "unsatisfactory" monochrome tv set volume, although the company reported an approximate 6% boost in earnings. The quarterly report given at Motorola's annual meeting in Chicago Monday, showed net sales of $52,281,795 compared to $53,197,541 for the same period last year. Net earnings were $2,137,587 against $2,012,876. Motorola's drop in tv set sales was partly offset by business for its automotive and transistor divisions, the firm accounting for 8% of the total unit volume in the industry for transistors last year. Mr. Galvin reported Motorola has received contracts from Ford and Chrysler for car radio equipment to be used in 1958 models. The rest of the firm's business remained substantially the same saleswise, but improved in profit. The company plans to unveil its new lines of tv, high fidelity and phonograph products at its annual distributor convention in Chicago July 18-20. Collins 1957 Catalog Out COLLINS RADIO Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, last week issued its 96-page 1957 catalog which carries descriptions of all its current products. This year the firm said the catalog stresses Collins' ability to supply integrated systems as well as individual equipment. It also noted that separate brochures are available on nearly all the items listed. Further inquiries may be addressed to the nearest branch office. DuMont Re-elects 8 Directors COMMON stockholders of Allen B. DuMont Labs. Inc. re-elected eight directors at the annual meeting last week in Clifton, N. J. They are: Dr. Allen B. DuMont, chairman; David T. Schultz, president, DuMont Labs.; Barney Balaban, president and director, Paramount Pictures Corp.; Armand G. Erpf, partner, Carl M. Loeb, Rhoades & Co.; Dr. Thomas T. Goldsmith Jr., vice president, government and research, DuMont Labs.; Paul Raibourn, vice president and director, Paramount Pictures; Percy M. Stewart, partner, Kuhn, Loeb & Co.; and Edwin L. Weisl, partner, Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett. Hoffman Predicts Rosy Future H. LESLIE HOFFMAN, president of Hoffman Electronics Corp., Los Angeles, told shareholders at their annual meeting last week the firm achieved $46,580,279 in 1956 sales, and estimated a $100 million sales level by 1960. Firm officials also noted that the book value of its common stock has increased from $7.13 in 1952 to $14.81 per share. They said net working capital is up 236% to $9,668,771 in the last five years. If you buy by ratings alone, we've got 'em ... 38 of the 41 top Pulse-rated shows. We have the greatest number of listeners in mid-Ohio, and they have $2,739,749,000 to spend. They and Pulse also place us first in any Monday-thru-Friday quarterhour, day or night. Ask John Blair. WBNS RADIO COLUMBUS, OHIO G. LaVERNE FLAMBO, president of WQUA Moline, 111., signs a contract for installation of a 5 kw transmitter and related equipment for the new WQUB Galesburg. 111. with Collins Radio Co.. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Participating are (1 to r): Carl Rollert of Collins; Harold W. Higby, WQUB chief engineer, and Robert Hancock, also of Collins. Fm Converter for Canada AN fm converter, for attachment to tv receivers [B*T, April 8], being made in the U. S. for a Canadian company which also is likely to handle distribution in the United States, will be on sale in Canada about May 20 and will retail at $29.95, including excise and sales taxes of 25%. The converter at first is being marketed in the Toronto area, in connection with Canada's only commercial fm station, CHFI-FM Toronto. The set is being made for A. T. Armstrong Ltd., Toronto, which is financing its manufacture and has a share in the manufacturing plant in the U. S. MANUFACTURING SHORTS RCA reported last week it has shipped used. 10 kw transmitter to WMVS-TV Milwaukee (ch. 10); 100 kw transmitter to WIIC (TV) Pittsburgh (ch. 11); 6 kw transmitter to WMAR-TV Baltimore (ch. 2) and 12-section superturnstile antenna to WPFH (TV) Wilmington. Del. (ch. 12). Motorola Inc. announces new push-button radio designed specifically for Volkswagen automobile and adaptable for most sports and foreign cars. Company unveiled manual set for Volkswagen two years ago and added push-button model, which retails at $59.95. Among advantages claimed are compactness (for installation under smaller dashboards), power and quality and careful designing of exterior parts to blend with various interiors. General Electric Co. reported last week it had shipped 35 kw amplifier to KRGV-TV Weslaco. Tex. (ch. 5); 50 kw transmitter to WJTV (TV) Jackson, Mich. (ch. 12), and 100 w transmitter to Toledo U. (educational ch. 30). Sylvania Electric Products Inc. announces $10 across-the-board increase in suggested list price of its 110-degree portable tv line, effective May 13. Page 100 May 13, 1957 Broadcasting Telecasting