Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1957)

PEOPLE at deadline CNP Outlines '58 Plans For Added Sales, Production Plans of California National Productions— NBC's subsidiary in film syndication — to increase production and sales activity after first of year revealed Friday. Union Pacific (15 of 39 half-hour episodes already filmed) goes on sale to local and regional advertisers Jan. 2, and, at same time, CNP is readying "one or more" prototypes of new tv series. Titles were not disclosed. According to H. Weller (Jake) Keever, newly-elected vice president and general manager of CNP (story page 50), January activity is in "accordance with CNP's established policy of providing stations and advertisers with an ever-increasing flow of new product." Union Pacific (about railroading, 1866-69) is being filmed on MetroGoldwyn-Mayer's Culver City, Calif., lot. At same time, CNP is reported to be negotiating for release and distribution of Medic which had two-season run on NBCTV. This would entail placement of all Medic's 60 half-hour episodes in syndication. Also being blueprinted: production of additional 39 half-hour episodes of highlysuccessful Silent Service (on submarine warfare) sometime next year, probably in fall. Series has been in syndication since last winter. Radio Source of Subway News Radio was "principal source" of information about New York's subway strike last week, according to results of survey released Friday by Radio Advertising Bureau. Study, conducted for RAB by Mark-OResearch Inc., New York, last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, revealed that 56.6% of "large sampling" of subway riders relied primarily on radio for strike news; 70.1% depended on radio either exclusively or in combination with other mass media; 74.9% relied on radio for information as to how to plan for daily trips to employment and 40.2% on how to plan homeward trip. RAB said survey shows only 12.2% named tv as primary source of overall strike information and 4.4% specified newspapers. RAB's findings were substantially similar to special Pulse survey commissioned by WOR New York, which shows that 53% of those questioned relied on radio as principal source of information, 32% on tv and 15% on newspapers. ABC-TV Switching Three Shows Three program time changes in ABC-TV's current line-up announced Friday. Revlon Inc.'s Walter Winchell File moves from Wednesday, 9:30-10 p.m., to Friday, 8:309 p.m.; its place will be filled by Plymouth's Date With the Angels which moves in from Friday, 9:30-10 p.m. Angel Friday slot will be filled by Frigidaire-Buick's Pat Munsel Show which leaves Friday 8:30-9 p.m. slot (to make room for Winchell) and will be seen hour later, starting early January. NTA Bucks N. Y. Regents Plan, Urges Approval of Newark Sale Urgent plea that FCC approve sale of ch. 13 WATV (TV) Newark, N. J., and sisterstations WAAT-AM-FM same city, from present Rosenhaus ownership to National Telefilm Assoc. Inc. submitted to Commission Friday in NTA opposition to New York State Regents' petition to turn ch. 13 into New York educational frequency (earlier story page 56) . NTA, which is paying $3.5 million for Newark stations (WATV transmits from top of Empire State Bldg. in New York), said Regents are trying to acquire standing in sale case via old AVCO proceeding. At one time in late 1940's FCC permitted outside bidders to meet sales price for stations involved in transfers. This is expressly forbidden by 1952 McFarland Act amendments to Communications Act, NTA noted in its opposition filing. Film firm urged Commission to act on sale application, and, if it so desired, to consider New York Regents rule-making request later. NTA said it even would accept sales approval conditioned on outcome of rule-making. A VOTE FOR FATT American Assn. of Advertising Agencies has commended, at least semi-officially, Grey Adv. President Arthur C. Fatt's tv appearance which preceded Grey's loss of Kolynos toothpaste account (story page 27), it was learned Friday. Richard L. Scheidker, AAAA vice president, sent following letter to Mr. Fatt: "Last Thursday was the regular meeting of the committee of the board on government, public and educator relations. In discussing the public relations of the agency business, a number of them praised your appearance on the Mike Wallace [sic] show. If there were more such opportunities for agency people to appear before the public, the committee felt, and if they had acquitted themselves as splendidly as you did — even in the face of difficult questions — it would be a great thing for the business." Mr. Fatt was interviewed by Howard Whitman on WABD (TV) New York's Night beat, which was at one time conducted by Mr. Wallace, now on his own ABC-TV program. J. G. PALTRIDGE, vice president-general manager, KROW Oakland, Calif., appointed station manager of KGO San Francisco, ABN owned-and-operated station. JAMES R. SEFERT, national account executive, WLWC (TV) Columbus, Ohio, to head new Crosley Broadcasting Corp. sales office opening in Cleveland about Jan. 1. JUANITA WILCOX MITCHELL, formerly with WBNS-TV Columbus and WDSUTV New Orleans, rejoined WLWC as film director. Andrews Tower Head Dies Funeral services held Saturday at Fort Worth for Johnnie Andrews, 50, president of Andrews Tower Inc., that city. Mr. Andrews was fatally injured Thursday in private plane crash near Van Horn, Tex. Local officials said he may have suffered heart attack just before crash, returning verdict of accidental death. Mr. Andrews was known nationally as builder of radio and tv towers. He served two terms as mayor of Oak Knoll, Tex., before municipality was consolidated with Haltom City, Fort Worth suburb. NARTB Sets Phoenix Schedule Series of committee meetings will precede winter meeting of NARTB combined boards to be held Jan. 22-24 at Camelback Inn, Phoenix, Ariz. Advance committee sessions follow: Jan. 19, ad hoc convention committee; Jan. 20, tv finance; Jan. 21, general fund finance and membership committees. Radio Board meets Jan. 22, Tv Board Jan. 23 and joint session will be held Jan. 24. KSHO-TV Joins ABC-TV KSHO-TV Las Vegas, Nev., (ch. 3) was scheduled to become ABC-TV primary affiliate yesterday (Sun.). Station, which had been independent since starting in May 1956, recently was bought by group headed by Merv Adelson. KSHO-TV becomes 81st station in ABC-TV roster of primary affiliates. • BUSINESS BRIEFLY Continues from page 9 of three-day run — 50 spots per market — may well make agency, Monroe Greenthal Co., look to more radio on behalf of movie. SHOOTING AT SOUTHERNERS • Lever Bros. (Imperial margarine) set to begin spot radio campaign in 39 cities, primarily southern markets, on Jan. 13. Foote, Cone & Belding, N. Y., is agency. NORWICH SPOTTING • Norwich Pharmacal Co., Norwich, Conn., planning tv spot announcement campaign in number of markets, using station breaks, starting Jan. 15 for six weeks. Benton & Bowles, N. Y., is agency. Page 10 • December 16, 1957 Broadcasting