Broadcasting Telecasting (Apr-Jun 1958)

closed circuit NEXT MOVE • Investigation by Antitrust Div. of Dept. of Justice of network programming notably in relation to its ownership participation in independently developed shows has reached point where department attorneys want to meet with FCC to explore future steps. Proposal to this end is being considered by FCC, presumably in connection with current hearings on Barrow Network Study Report. Barrow Study Staff had been unable to complete programming-talent phase of its investigation and Assistant Attorney General Victor Hanson had announced last year that it was continuing its inquiry. • Also interwoven in network participation in program ownership is related aspect of clearances in option time. Another aspect under inquiry has been network stock ownership in BMI. Both matters were targets of House Celler Subcommittee inquiry two years ago. • NEW FIELD • Several broadcasters are exploring possibility of going into closedcircuit theatre tv, or version of it. Success of such closed circuit presentations as Robinson-Basilio fight in movie theatres has encouraged these broadcasters to look into possibility of obtaining equipment and franchises for special showings which broadcasters would manage in local auditoriums. Several broadcasters have asked TelePrompTer whether franchises would be available. • One item of business in current West Coast visit of Hubbell Robinson Jr., CBSTV executive vice president for network programs, was negotiations with Bing Crosby in hope of getting his signature on tv dotted line. Except for occasional special shots, Old Groaner has resisted tv's advances up to now. • NO ROTATION • Major point of contention on final draft of House Oversight Subcommittee report (see page 27) concerned tenure of FCC chairman and how he would be named. Several members successfully objected to original draft calling for chairmanship to be rotated. They objected on grounds subcommittee did not have enough information to reach this conclusion. One member said both Democrats and Republicans objected to rotation idea; another member claimed it was strictly GOP protest. Chairman now is named by President. • Another House interim report will be forthcoming soon after congressional Easter recess — this one by special five-man subcommittee on inner operations of ASCAP. Following two weeks of hearings [Government, March 24], full subcommittee met in executive session Wednesday with three members of Justice Dept., including Robert A. Bicks, assistant to antitrust chief Victor Hanson, W. D. Kilgore, chief of judgment and enforcement division, and trial attorney John Wilson. Report is expected to be critical of ASCAP operational policies and recommend further action by Justice. • SHOO-IN • Reappointment of Robert T. Bartley to new seven-year term on FCC, dating from next July 1, is confidently expected within next few weeks. Mr. Bartley, 48, sailed through his appearance before House Legislative Oversight Committee on March 28 and was given virtually clean bill by Chairman Oren Harris (D-Ark. and other committee members. Nephew of House Speaker Sam Rayburn, Mr. Bartley began his service on FCC as Commissioner on March 6, 1952, although he previously had served at staff level. e FCC Chairman John C. Doerfer, it's reliably reported, already has urged White House to act expeditiously on Bartley reappointment. It's rare for White House, however, to announce nominations more than 60 days in advance of expiration. Sixty-day period will begin May 1. e DUTY CALLS • All members of FCC (except Comr. Lee who was in New York) lunched at NAB headquarters in Washington last Thursday for briefing on their panel participation at NAB Convention in Los Angeles, April 27-May 1. Panel, to be held on Wednesday morning, has been most popular NAB event. It was threatened by House Oversight Committee investigation because of "fraternizing" complaint but all FCC members have concluded that NAB convention, above all other events, is "must" for them. In addition to panel, Chairman John C. Doerfer will deliver annual address. • It's unlikely that FCC members will take their wives to West Coast this year. As things stand now they will get only their traveling expenses and $12 per diem from government and must pick up their own hotel bills, whereas NAB has paid them in past. Estimate is that each will be at least $150 "out-of-pocket" at this year's convention if he travels solo. • INNER COUNCIL • Giving added recognition to NBC's expanding radio network operations, President Robert W. Sarnoff has named Matthew J. Culligan, vice president in charge of radio network to his executive council, which meets at least once a week on policy matters. Also new to council is P. A. (Buddy) Sugg, who on April 1 assumed vice presidency in charge of owned and operated stations and Spot Sales. Others on council are executive vice presidents Robert E. Kintner, David C. Adams, J. M. Clifford and Kenneth W. Bilby. • With tv commercial production business going strong, MPO Productions Inc., New York, this week is expected to become first commercial production house to move into vacant Republic studios, Hollywood. Republic has suspended production of theatrical films and has been throwing open soundstages to such independent tv film producers as MCA's Revue Productions and Jack Webb's Mark VII Productions Ltd. MPO already has five full soundstages in New York. It will not begin film series work but will continue to turn out commercials and films for industry. • LOCAL OPTION • Practice of big-name national advertisers seeking local rates is becoming more widespread in broadcast media, extending beyond brewery and auto fields into food, drug and other product lines. Stations contend practice is "vicious circle" and one for self-defense on all industry levels; with result that some national clients are buying more time (spots) with same budget. Operators say station representatives are losing money and agencies complain they're caught in middle between competing clients. Only solution, they hold, is for all stations in single market to insist on national rates where justified. • In furtherance of U. S.-Soviet cultural exchange agreement, delegation of Russian radio-tv experts is expected in United States later this month. Group will confer with individual networks on program exchanges, handling negotiations on regular business basis. Presidents of three networks having tv as well as radio met with Ambassador William S. B. Lacey on March 27 for indoctrination. [Closed Circuit, March 31]. Ziv Television, International, was first of U.S. entities to negotiate program sales with U. S. S. R. • EXPORT FILMS • Rank Organization, London, which owns piece of Southern Television, Ltd., Southampton-Isle of Wight (one of links in Great Britain's commercial Independent Television Authority), understood to be considering opening its Pinewood studios to independent tv film producers. Rank recently effected tie-up with Tom O'Neil's RKO Teleradio for motion pictures but will not itself release theatrical films to tv at present [Film, March 31]. But it's thinking of sending crsws to Australia to produce low-budget tv "westerns" with hopes of cashing in on current U. S. shoot-em-up fad. Reason: Australian production facilities are large — and inexpensive. Broadcasting April 7, 7955 Page 5