Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1957)

that Bainbridge and its mayor violated the fundamental principle of freedom of the press and radio. He maintained the broadcast crew had acted in the capacity of sports reporters in relaying the information over telephone wires to Quincy. He also said WCNH had broadcast the Quincy-Bainbridge games for ten years without trouble. MR. JOHNSTON MR. GRISHAM Johnston Resigns ABS Posts; Grisham to General Manager Henry P. Johnston announced, last week, his resignation as president and general manager of the Alabama Broadcasting System, licensee of WAPI, WAFM (FM) and WABT (TV) Birmingham, Ala. Mr. Johnston, who had been active in the city's radio-tv management for 22 years, announced that Charles F. Grisham, vice president and commercial manager of WABT has been named general manager of all three stations, effective immediately. In announcing his resignation, Mr. Johnston noted that he will now have more time for personal and private business interests. Mr. Grisham joined WABT three years ago from WLWA (TV) Atlanta, where he was general sales manager. Mr. Grisham entered broadcasting in 1939 at WLW Cincinnati. He has worked as radio director for Ralston Purina Co. and as southern manager for Edward Petry Co., station representative. Two years ago, S. I. Newhouse (Newhouse newspapers and radio-tv properties) bought the Birmingham News and its affiliated broadcast stations in an $18.7 million transaction. The deal also included the Huntsville (Ala.) Times and WHBS-AMFM Huntsville. WVEC-TV Studios Used in Ceremony WVEC-AM-TV Hampton-Norfolk, Va., took emergency steps last week to salvage the historic dedicatory ceremonies of the opening of the $60 million bridge-tunnel connecting Norfolk and the Tidewater peninsula. The event originally was scheduled to be telecast by both WVEC-TV and WTAR-TV, also Norfolk, but a driving rain made remote broadcasting impossible. Duff "YOUNG HOJLJLYWOOIV with Dick Strout — SELLS! TOP STARS! For amazing, low rates, tape, write or phone — Millard Garrison Features Syndicate 5525 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 36, Calif. CRestview 5-8505 Kliewer, WVEC-TV's operations director, saved the day by offering the station's facilities to the dedicatory party. Ceremonies then were originated from the station's Hampton studios and were fed to WTAR-TV and seven radio stations throughout the area. In addition, Mr. Kliewer played host to the 500 visiting dignitaries by hooking up 20 tv receivers on the roof garden of a Hampton hotel so guests could watch the ceremonies. WGN-TV Signs With White Sox; Pact With Cubs Expected Soon A three-year pact for continued coverage by WGN-TV Chicago of all local White Sox daytime home baseball games was jointly announced Tuesday by station and club managements. The announcement by Ward L. Quaal, vice president and general manager of WGN Inc. (WGN-AM-TV), and Charles Comiskey, vice president of the American League ball club, was deemed significant beyond the fact it assures WGN-TV renewed exclusive tv rights initially granted in 1948. The reason, as given by authorities, is that any long-term tv contract at this time is considered unusual (despite provision for cancellations) in view of pay tv developments and possible further club franchise changes, such as those involving the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants. WGN-TV is expected to announce shortly a two-year pact with owner Philip K. Wrigley for Cubs' rights. WGN radio is set to air all Cubs home and road games starting next year through 1963 [Stations, Oct. 28]. 'Feuding' WENS Disc Jockeys Fined After Park Escapade A custard cream pie lobbed by one WINS New York disc jockey at another in New York's Central Park resulted in fines of $3 apiece for the two last week. The two, Irv Smith and Stan Z. Burns, pleaded guilty to using park property for commercial purposes. The "feud" was fostered by station programming and promotion executives who spied a golden opportunity for exploitation in the on-and-off-air sarcastic banter between two d.j.'s. The two performers felt both their shows could be boosted by a "Jack Benny-Fred Allen type of running feud." WBKW (FM) on Air With Music WBKW (FM) Beckley, W. Va., has gone on the air on 99.5 mc, providing uninterrupted high fidelity music from 4 p.m. to midnight, the station says. The new 34-kw facility is owned by Joe L. Smith Jr., owner of WJLS Beckley and WKNAAM-FM-TV Charleston, W. Va. Binaural broadcasting with WJLS on a varying schedule is planned, according to Mr. Smith. KCBQ Granted Power Increase KCBQ San Diego, Calif., has received an FCC grant to boost power from 5 to 50 kw, with construction work to begin immediately, according to Lee Bartell, president of the station. ONE SWEEP GETS MIDDLE GEORGIA! One WMAZ sweep that is! WMAZ in this case includes both WMAZ Radio and WMAZ Television! The combined circulation of WMAZ Radio plus WMAZ-TV is greater than the entire circulation of the two local newspapers and the other three local radio stations. BUY BOTH .... WMAZ RADIO and WMAZ-TV and sweep the Middle Georgia market with your advertising. Clean up the sales you require. MACON, GA. National Rep. AVERY-KNODEL, INC. Broadcasting November 11, 1957 • Page 87