Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1957)

iN front of the Kaiser aluminum dome in Honolulu, Messrs. Kaiser, Todd and Weaver (I to r) inspect an artist's drawing of one of the aluminum auditoriums. PROGRAM SERVICES continued terns. Further, that the main interest of the stations' management was to get the public opinion as a guidepost for the course to be taken by the corporation. The stations' management emphasized that although pay tv basically is against its own principles as a free broadcaster, it nevertheless would abide by the people's choice. To clear up misconceptions about free tv, the program: (1) explained the role of commercials and advertising in the economy of the nation as well as its relationship to the growth of American industry; (2) listed some of the outstanding programs now on free tv; (3) gave a rundown on length of time required for motion pictures, ballets, etc.; (4) gave the output of all major film companies for the past year (all A, B and C pictures totaled approximately 162); (5) explained tax problems of producers of plays, such as "My Fair Lady," in which it is advisable to have income spread over years rather than concentrated in one evening. Two address slides were flashed at the end of the 6:45-7 p.m. Saturday program but no heavy stress was placed on the need for write-ins, according to Mr. Cohan. The results "astonished and flabbergasted" station officials. In addition to the 5,002 to 4 sentiment against toll tv, there were countless requests to have the telecast repeated, it was reported. Many viewers admitted that up until that point they had not understood pay tv. Other anti-toll tv repercussions set in, according to Mr. Cohan, who said people began handing out petitions to be signed in Seaside, Watsonville, Pacific Grove, Greenfield and other neighboring communities; local grocers put petitions on walls to be signed by customers, and organizations, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of King City, passed resolutions against pay tv. Four ASCAP Members Sue Brown Four members of American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers have filed suits for copyright infringement against Gordon P. Brown, owner of WNIA Buffalo, ASCAP reported last week. The plaintiffs allege copyrighted songs were performed by the station without authorization and are asking the U. S. District Court for the Western District of New York to award damages of not less than $250 for each unauthorized performance, together with court costs and attorneys' fees. Goodson-Todman Team Buys Paper Television producers Mark Goodson and William Todman — the team behind various programs, including CBS-TV's What's Mv Line and I've Got a Secret — have, with others in a New York group, purchased the Pawtucket (R. I.) Times for $3 million, according to an announcement last week by Allen Kander & Co., media broker, and the Industrial Trust Co. of Providence. Messrs. Goodson and Todman hold controlling interest in New England Newspapers Inc., the purchasing corporation. Weaver, Kaiser, Todd Take on New Venture Sylvester L. (Pat) Weaver Jr. has teamed with industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and showman Mike Todd to form a new company to build 43 "revolutionary aluminum domes" to house virtually all kinds of auditorium events, including telecasts. The domes were described as "multipurpose auditorium-theatres" that can be erected quickly and economically and may also be used for such non-auditorium purposes as supermarkets, airport terminals and hangars. Mr. Weaver, former president and board chairman of NBC, was named president and managing executive of the new dome enterprises. The company itself, spokesmen said, has not yet been named. The new venture is in addition to Mr. Weaver's current work as advertising and tv consultant to Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. and the various related Kaiser companies. It is an outgrowth, spokesmen reported, of a meeting of Messrs. Kaiser, Weaver and Todd in Honolulu for the premiere of Mr. Todd's "Around the World in 80 Days," staged in the Kaiser aluminum dome at the Hawaiian Village Hotel there. Authorities reported that the first prototype dome, designed and built by Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp., was erected in 20 working hours at a cost of about $4 per square foot. It seats up to 2,000 persons, is 49V2 feet high, 145 feet in diameter and has 16,500 square feet under cover. Other domes, some larger and some smaller, were said to have been built or to be in the planning stages. Mr. Todd was quoted as saying that what makes the domes "unique" is "the myriad flexible uses to which [they] can be put for conventions, banquets, cultural programs like the symphony and recitals, stage performances, televising, festivals, pageants, home, sports and auto shows, exhibits, dances, sports contests and giant screen spectaculars." Messrs. Kaiser, Weaver and Todd and their respective organizations will share equally in the new company. New Music Licensing Society Seeks Contracts From Stations Another music performing rights society is attempting to establish itself in the broadcast field. Stations last week were sent contract applications by Colored Performing Rights of America Ltd., 350 Broadway, New York City. The new organization, which intends to license versions of popular music as arranged by Negro talent in its membership, is headed by Perry Bradford, described as a 50-year veteran of show business. CPRA vice president is Barney Young, a principal in Life Music Inc., the music publishing firm that split from BMI in 1954 and then, in 1956, brought suit to force the dissolution of BMI, ASCAP and SESAC. Life Music, in asking $7.5 million damages under antitrust law, also named as co-defendants RCA, NBC, CBS Inc. and Columbia Records [Broadcasting, Jan. 16, 1954]. The suit still pends. Secretary-treasurer of CPRA is Sidney Rothstein, Mr. Barney's lawyer and also the attorney that filed the 1956 suit. Mr. Rothstein last week said the new organization is not connected with Life Music and said that "this very legitimate organization" is not to be confused in "collateral issues." Mr. Rothstein maintained that while CPRA will compete with ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, "we do not intend to raid them." He added that former clients of the other three organizations will not be turned away "because of their past associations." CPRA is asking an annual license fee of $25 for stations of less than 10 kw and $50 from those above that power. As of last Thursday, none of the stations solicited had answered CPRA. NARTB said it is looking into the matter. Broadcasting November 11, 1957 • Page 39