Broadcasting Telecasting (Apr-Jun 1958)

NETWORKS CONTINUED ABC RADIO HELM GOES TO DEGRAY • Eastman leaves; 'ABN' concept to follow • Resignations continue as streamlined programming begins RENEWAL of the primary affiliation of WFAA-TV Dallas with ABC-TV effective October 1 was announced Friday by Alfred R. Beckman, vice president in charge of station relations, ABC-TV, and Alex Keese, (c), managing director of WFAA-TV. James Monroney Jr. (1), treasurer of WFAA-TV also participated in the signing. The station, owned by the Dallas Morning News, operates on channel 8. Edward DeGray officially took over direction of the ABC radio network last week as the parent American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres completed negotiations settling Robert E. Eastman's four-years-torun contract as network president [Networks, March 31]. Mr. DeGray's appointment is being announced today (Monday) by AB-PT President Leonard H. Goldenson. Late last week Mr. Goldenson held a group of radio affiliates that he and Mr. Eastman had come to terms and that Mr. DeGray would become operating head. Mr. Eastman said the settlement was "amicable" and that he was leaving toward the end of the week "on good terms," probably to return to the station representation business although his plans were not yet firm. The announcement of Mr. DeGray's new post described it as head of the network. Apparently some unresolved nomenclature was involved — whether he would become president or operate the network under some other title. Another bit of nomenclature was more certain. There appeared no reason to think that the network's "ABN" identification — from American Broadcasting Network — would be continued. "ABN" was introduced last summer as part of Mr. Eastman's concept that the radio network should not be identified with ABC-TV in any way. But "ABN" never caught up with "ABC Radio" in popular usage and now reversion to the older name is deemed certain. In announcing Mr. DeGray's selection, Mr. Goldenson said he "brings an excellent record in the field of radio to his new post. He has program and sales experience, he is exceptionally well acquainted with the managers of our radio affiliates and he has the backing as well as the full support of ABC management." Personnel cutbacks meanwhile continued as the network prepared to switch to its new ultra-streamlined program format over the past weekend. Tom Harrison resigned as vice president in charge of sales; Dale Moudy as assistant to the president, and Irv Lichtenstein as director of exploitation and promotion. The network never replaced Stephen Labunski as programming vice president after he resigned several weeks ago, and last week it was learned that William Hamilton also had resigned a fortnight ago as national program director. John White, national sales manager, is expected to head up the sales organization with Mr. Harrison's departure. Two weeks ago four of the network's seven salesmen were among "about eight" people reported being let go [Closed Circuit, March 24]. Under the new program format, which was to become effective yesterday (Sunday), ABC Radio plans to program Breakfast Club (Mon.-Fri. 9-10 a.m. EST), continue and expand its newscasts and continue its religious and other public service programming. The fate of the Saturday afternoon Metropolitan Opera broadcasts, sponsored for years by Texaco, was reported still up in the air. Network officials told Texaco representatives some weeks ago, when the network's future was even more in doubt, that Texaco was free to consider moving the opera to another network if it wished. No decision had been made known late last week. Plans for ABC Radio's future were explored Monday in a meeting of representatives of some two dozen affiliates, and another meeting of this group and ABC Radio authorities is expected to be held during the NAB convention later this month, or sometime in May. Participants said last Monday's session was a general study of what might be done to improve the network, that it was conducted in a friendly atmosphere and that none of the affiliates indicated he might drop his affiliation. This meeting was called by Otto Brandt of the King broadcasting stations (KING Seattle and others); Roger Clipp of the Triangle stations (WFIL Philadelphia and others); Donald Davis of KMBC Kansas City, and Alex Keese of WFAA Dallas. The stations met both among themselves and with AB-PT and ABC officials including Mr. Goldenson; James Riddell, new executive vice president of the ABC division, and Mr. DeGray. Mr. DeGray, new operating head of the radio network, has been vice president in charge of station relations. He joined the network in 1955 as national director of station relations and became a vice president in February 1957. He entered broadcasting in the CBS accounting department in 1937, transferred to WBT Charlotte, N. C, then owned by CBS, in 1940 as office manager and later assistant general manager. In 1948 he returned to CBS headquarters in New York as executive assistant in charge of station administration, spot sales, co-op program sales and Housewives Protective League programs. He became station relations representative and co-op sales contact in 1951 and rose to national director of CBS radio station relations and supervisor in charge of radio co-op programs in 1953. In 1955 he moved to Vitapix Guild films as station relations director and switched to ABC in October of that year. Mr. Eastman, who was executive vice president of John Blair & Co. before going to ABC last spring, said he might return to the station representation field, possibly starting his own firm, but that entry into station ownership remained a possibility. He said he wanted to take his time in deciding his next step and that a two-week call to jury duty, starting today (Monday), should help him avoid over-hasty action. Mr. Eastman also issued a formal statement on his resignation. It said: "There is nothing more I can contribute to the company. We have arrived at an amicable termination of my employment. "I regret leaving the association of some very wonderful people. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with men like Leonard H. Goldenson, Simon B. Siegal [AB-PT financial vice president and treasurer] and others toward whom I hold great respect and friendship. "My plans are indefinte. However, I will most certainly remain in the broadcasting business. To my successor, Edward DeGray, I wish the very best and I know that the radio network will receive the kind of cooperation and help from stations and advertisers which will enable it to grow." CBS-TV's Dozier Heads Tv City in Hollywood William Dozier, CBS-TV network program executive with considerable experience in live tv production plus extensive background as a Hollywood motion picture executive, becomes the network's top administrator at its huge Television City in Hollywood, it was announced last week by Hubbell Robinson Jr., executive vice president in charge of network programs. Mr. Dozier has been appointed CBS-TV network vice president, programs, Hollywood, and "all Television City operations" will report to him. Concurrently, Mr. Robinson announced that a two-year contract has been negotiated with Alfred J. Scalpone, since 1935 CBS-TV vice president in charge of network programs, Hollywood, to serve as independent producer and to supply CBS-TV with a minimum of two new program pilot films each year. A fortnight ago, Howard Meighan, CBS-TV vice president who has been in overall charge of Television City operations, Page 56 • April 7, 1958 Broadcasting