Broadcasting Telecasting (Apr-Jun 1958)

FILM CONTINUED STATIONS of film series, embracing all types of tv programming. In announcing the syndication of the Roy Rogers programs formerly on NBC-TV, Mr. Koenig pointed out that many of these films have had only one run in all network cities and there are a number of important markets where the programs have not as yet been seen at all. Plans call for distribution of the films abroad as well as inside the U. S. MR. RUSH MR. KOENIG Mr. Rush revealed that just prior to the formation of the new firm, Roy Rogers Enterprises turned down a firm offer of $2 million for the outright sale of these films "We felt a strong obligation," Mr. Rush said, "to control our product completely in order to insure sponsors, agencies and tv stations the full benefit of Roy Rogers' tremendous merchandising and promotion impact." Sy Weintraub Buys Control Of Sol Lesser Productions Acquisition by veteran tv film distributor Sy Weintraub of a controlling interest in Sol Lesser Productions, Hollywood, was announced jointly last week by Mr. Weintraub and Mr. Lesser. The purchase price was said to be in excess of $3.5 million and the transaction covers television and theatrical rights to the "Tarzan" character and 45 motion pictures owned by the Lesser organization. It also covers real estate in Encino, Buena Park, and Van Nuys, Calif. In addition to 14 "Tarzan" features, the acquisition includes tv rights to a "Tarzan" pilot film and the tv rights to "Our Town" and to the "Captain Horatio Hornblower" series. Mr. Weintraub plans to take an active role in the feature film and tv film production field and will move to Hollywood from New York. The corporation of Sol Lesser Productions will be retained, with Mr. Weintraub as president and chief executive officer and Mr. Lesser as chairman of the board. Mr. Weintraub served recently as president of Telestar Films, a distribution-production company, and earlier had been executive vice president of Flamingo Films and a vice president of Motion Pictures for Television Inc. He is president of WKIT Mineola, L. I., N. Y., and formerly was president of KMGM-TV Minneapolis. Page 74 • April 7, 1958 MR. WEINTRAUB More Stations Play Up Anti-Recession Theme More radio and tv stations jumped on the bandwagon to familiarize the public with the positive factors in today's business outlook [Stations, March 31, Programs & Promotions, March 24]. This was pointed up in reports to Broadcasting last week from the Bartell radio stations, WWJ-TV Detroit. KMPC Los Angeles, WEJL Scranton, Pa., and WELM Elmira, N. Y. The Bartell group kicked off a "Buy today for a better tomorrow" campaign with a one-minute editorial recorded by Gerald A. Bartell, president of the group (KCBQ San Diego, KRUX Phoenix, WOKY Milwaukee, WYDE Birmingham, WAKE Atlanta, WILD Boston and KYA San Francisco). The editorial said in part, "A fine automobile feels most comfortable when traveling at a good rate of speed. Slow it down too long and people feel poky and nervous. The obvious remedy . . . speed it up again. The American economy, too, is most comfortable when it speeds along at a lively clip. A slowdown, such as we are experiencing— however slight — is uncomfortable. The best advice — speed it up again by resuming normal purchasing. Whatever you buy today will be worth every cent you pay — and those who are holding off for prices to go down are waiting for a tomorrow that never comes. Prices will not decline — and there are wonderful bargains today!" WWJ-TV aired Our Economy Today, a panel consisting of business leaders and a government official, who examined economic trends and offered proposals for effecting a business upswing in Detroit. KMPC reports that the Chevrolet Dealers of Southern California have placed a heavy spot schedule on that station to dispel the "gloomy outlook" in that state. The dealers highlight job opportunities as listed in the want ads of the Los Angeles Examiner to "prove there is prosperity and an abundance of work to be had in Southern California." With a harsh winter affecting Pennsylvania business, an "optimistic" policy has been adopted by WEJL concerning weather, road conditions and recession talk. Listeners are urged to come to town and resume normal daily procedures unless "severe storm conditions prevail." The station reports that it does not place over-emphasis on recession talk and points up the optimistic viewpoint in addition to the news. WELM has been playing up the theme "Now . . . you can get a better buy. So . . . Better Buy Now!" The slogan is used on practically all of its station breaks and is tied in with the promotion of specific items such as automobiles, appliances and home improvements. Following the same train of thought, Jack Cable of Jack Cable & Assoc., Houston, sent a letter to Sen. Lyndon Johnson (D-Tex.) outlining a plan which he says "holds the possibility of turning the present recession into a boom within 90 days." He suggests GROUND BREAKING for the new 50 kw transmitter tower of KCBQ San Diego brought the Bartell Group's top echelon to California. They are (1 to r) Mel Bartell, Morton J. Wagner, Gerald A. Bartell and Lee Bartell. Other Bartell stations are WOKY Milwaukee, WILD Boston, WYDE Birmingham, WAKE Atlanta, KRUX Phoenix and KYA-AM-TV San Francisco. selective tax benefits to businesses to induce them to increase their advertising and selling efforts. He advocates a double deduction ($2 allowed for every $1 spent on advertising and selling in 1958), which he feels would accomplish the upswing. He says "It's even possible that the government net tax revenue from businesses would be increased this year under the plan." Half-Million Earnings Shown In WJR 1957 Annual Report WJR Detroit showed nearly a half-milliondollar profit after taxes for the year 1957, according to the annual report of The Goodwill Station Inc. This was based on the largest revenue in the company's history. The 1957 profit was $495,680.53 or 86 cents per share on 572,552 shares, compared with 83 cents per share in 1956 and 47 cents per share in 1955 on the same number of shares. Total sales last year amounted to $3.57 million, up from $3,515 million in 1956 and $2,759 million in 1955. WJR cash dividends were maintained last year on a 50-cents-per-share basis, the report said. The station's 10-year history of earnings shows that the 1957 net earning figure is surpassed only by 1948 and 1949 earnings of $531,945 and $577,483, respectively. In a letter to stockholders, WJR President John F. Patt said the 1957 record reflects "particular credit to General Manager Worth Kramer and our staff. Last year marked the 35th year of broadcasting by the pioneer Detroit station. Broadcasting