Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1957)

STATIONS CONTINUED WTVJ (TV)'s Editorial Stand Draws Comment From Governor Editorials telecast on WTVJ (TV) Miami criticizing the severity of a sentence on a Negro boy have drawn official recognition from Florida Gov. LeRoy Collins, who promised that he would consider remedial action when possible. The governor also underscored the need for such freedom to criticize as a vital part of democratic government. The two editorials, presented by WTVJ News Editor Ralph Renick, were concerned with the life sentence imposed on a 16-year-old who pleaded guilty to a robbery charge and waived a trial in Marianna, Fla. Mr. Renick editorialized "the stiff sentence smacks of the dark ages of the South. It is a type of frontier justice that in recent years fortunately has faded away." Writing to WTVJ, Gov. Collins said he felt the editorial views of the stations and Mr. Renick are "deeply sincere." In a filmed interview used on Mr. Renick's program, the governor went further, saying, "I think that the freedom to criticize by people in positions like Mr. Renick is a GRAND SLAM KTTV (TV) Los Angeles gave grand slam coverage to the first championship bridge tournament ever played on the West Coast. Telecasting the final day of the 31st annual National Championships of the American Contract Bridge League Dec. 8, the station utilized a new technique which let viewers follow each play. Developed by Robert Breckner, KTTV vice president in charge of programming, the technique covered every aspect of the game, from first bid to final Kibitz. A mirror mounted over the table enabled the camera to show cards as played (top right). A board, with jumbo-sized cards, showed all the hands; a split-screen technique let viewers see the player bidding as well as the hands of all the players (bottom left; Mr. Goren bidding). As the player on screen played his card, the large card corresponding to it was removed from the board. Local bridge experts described the bidding and strategy of the experts (Charles Goren, Oswald Jacoby, John R. Crawford, Mrs. Helen Sobel and others), while a small microphone on the bridge table picked up bidding and the comments of the experts on their own play. KTTV did all right off screen, too. Richard A. Moore, station president, and Mr. Breckner dropped in on the tournament the Thursday before the Sunday telecast, primarily for planning purposes. Partially to get the feel of the tournament and partially vital and important part of our democratic government." Gov. Collins gave "full assurances" that the boy and his circumstances would not be forgotten and that he would be closely and carefully supervised. He said that whenever circumstances are such that within the sound judgment of the parole officials the boy "is entitled to return to society, he can and doubtless will be returned." Gov. Collins serves as chairman of the state parole board. WFIL-TV, WRCV-TV Colorcast Inaugurates New Joint Tower A combined colorcast which was to be seen simultaneously over WFIL-TV and WRCV-TV, both Philadelphia, was scheduled yesterday (Sunday) to inaugurate the stations' new joint tower. The tower, which is 1,100 ft. above ground, reportedly is the tallest television tower and installation in the Middle Atlantic states. It is located adjacent to WFILTV's tower in Roxborough. WFIL-TV will continue to operate from its present facilities there and WRCV-TV will operate from as a gag, according to the station, they teamed up as partners to enter a side session of the championships. Both Mr. Moore and Mr. Beckner took home first place trophies. Page 72 December 16, 1957 new facilities on the tower site as well as from its present location in Wyndmoor. The announcement of the new operation was made by Roger W. Clipp, Triangle radio-tv vice president and general manager of WFIL-AM-TV, and Lloyd E. Yoder. NBC vic3 president and general manager of WRCV-AM-TV. Mr. Clipp noted that "this electronic advance on the part of our two stations will provide a stronger, clearer picture and extended coverage to viewers in over two million homes." "Set owners will now . have one central direction for the setting of home antennas to receive chs. 3 and 6. Our stations' area of coverage will be increased to 13,726 square miles as a result of this cooperative effort," explained Mr. Yoder. Westinghouse Broadcasting Gives Transmitter-Tower to WQED (TV) A $250,000 transmitter-tower plant was donated Friday by Westinghouse Broadcasting Co. to WQED (TV) Pittsburgh, educational station, at ceremonies held in the Duquesne Club in that city. Gwilym A. Price, chairman-president of the parent Westinghouse Electric Corp., and Donald H. McGannon, WBC president, took part in ceremonies that drew Pittsburgh industrialists and educators. The tower and transmitter plant are located in the Oakland district of Pittsburgh near the U. of Pittsburgh stadium. Mr. Price said the facilities are being presented to WQED as a gift because of "outstanding service to the community." Representing WQED were John T. Ryan Jr., Mine Safety Appliance Co., WQED president; Leland Hazard, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co., station board chairman, and John F. White, WQED general manager. Westinghouse representatives included Joseph E. Baudino, WBC Washington vice president; Harold C. Lund, WBC vice president, KDKA-AM-TV Pittsburgh, and Chris J. Witting, former WBC president who now is vice president of the parent firm. Comr. Robert E. Lee represented the FCC. Westinghouse bought the transmitter site in 1946 from the university. In 1948 it erected a 500-foot tower for KDKA-FM and built the transmitter building in 1952. When WQED went on the air, the facilities were offered to the station, described as "the first community ETV station." Katzentine, Smith Announce New 'Stratosound' for Ams "Enriched sound" will be transmitted by WKAT Miami Beach, Fla., starting Jan. 1, according to President A. Frank Katzentine. A small electronic device operating at the transmitter "gives new dimensions" to am signals, he said. The new transmission has been labeled "Stratosound." It was developed over a period of several years by Mr. Katzentine and his chief engineer, Arthur P. Smith Jr. "The listener hears a wider range of sound and it is better defined," Mr. Katzentine said, adding that "it is not hi-fi or fm but ap Broadcasting