Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1957)

BAKERSFIELD REPORTS! the major circuit membership Theatre Owners of America voted unanimously against any form of pay tv [Program Services, Nov. 25]. ACT is the first lay organization organized to fight toll tv. The other national organization which has been active in opposing subscription television is the exhibitor-dominated Joint Committee on Toll Tv. Selectivision Pay Tv System Eager to 'Wed' Movie Business What is Selectivision? That's the name of the toll tv system which a Bernard L. Goldenberg revealed at the Theatre Owners of America convention two weeks ago in Miami [Program Services, Nov. 25]. No one — at the convention or out — had heard of Mr. Goldenberg before. Mr. Goldenberg told Broadcasting last week that he would be ready by Jan. 1 to launch operation of a closed-circuit pay tv system '"eager to wed itself to the theatre business." He said he had signed eight theatres in the New York metropolitan area. These theatres, he said, were associated with the Associated Prudential Circuit, the Interboro Theatre Circuit and Lane Enterprises. An executive of Associated Prudential confirmed this agreement, but refused to give details. Mr. Goldenberg said Selectivision will bear the entire cable costs from theatres to a home tv set. The public will buy punch cards from these theatres, he said, and each set owner will be charged $1.50 per program. The card will have a circuit imprinted which not only will activate the movie "channel" but will also record its use for billing purposes. Revenues will be divided equally between the exhibitor and Selectivision. he declared. Associated with Mr. Goldenberg in this venture, it is understood, is a west coast financier whose identity could not be ascertained at the present time. L. A. Accepts Toll Tv Bonds Bonds of $100,000 each— filed by Skiatron Tv Inc. and jointly by International Telemeter Corp. and Fox West Coast Theatres Corp. as guarantees of faithful performance of the franchises granted them to install and operate closed circuit toll tv systems in Los Angeles — were accepted last week by the city attorney. On first filing, the bonds were returned to the companies because they failed to comply fully with the city's requirements [Program Services, Oct. 28]. A draft of an ordinance to make the franchise effective has been prepared by the city attorney and now is being studied by the Board of Public Utilities and Transportation, responsible for seeing that the installation and operation of the tv systems are in accordance with city regulations. After theboard's approval, the ordinance will be sent to the City Council for final approval. A third organization granted a toll tv franchise in Los Angeles, Harriscope, has not yet filed its performance bond with the city. Broadcasting WESTERN union ^^^^^^ i oti so first ■ptiotv sotstoP* 8^ gave «— Tl^r^ .c HAVE R^!N AND TO DATE ONLY 3 ^ sT,U ^ CONSTANT ADVERTISED QE.N MANAGER ^^^^^ AL CONSTANT Gen. Manager 52 of the greatest spine-tingling features including the original "Frankenstein", "Dracula", "Wolf Man", "The Mummy" and other famous shockers! Your city is ready for the "SHOCK treatment"! TELEVISION SUBSIDIARY OF COLUMBIA PICTURES I FIFTH AVENUE • NEW YORK 2 2, N.Y. NEW YORK NEW ORLEANS Cincinnati's Most Powerful Independent Radio Station 50,000 watts of SALES POWER CINCINNATI, OHIO THE STATIC WC KY On the Air everywhere 24 hours a day— seven days a week December 2, 1957 • Page 81