Broadcasting Telecasting (Apr-Jun 1958)

GOVERNMENT CONTINUED KFBC-TV programs. Low power vhf boosters, it authorized, should be licensed on case-by-case basis, required to use signal of nearest station and provision must be made to shut them down when regular station comes on air serving same area. They too must receive permission to use signals of" regular stations. There is a need for catv systems, but only to lill in bad spots in station coverage; not to bring in distant big city signals. Small stations also need to own microwaves, not temporary permission as at present. Marshall H. Pengra, KLTV (TV) Tyler, Tex. — Catv system had 4.000 subscribers, 20% of Tyler homes, feeding two Dallas and one Fort Worth station in October 1954 when KLTV began operating. In August 1956, local catv engaged in $100,000 expansion, adding KTBS-TV Shreveport, La., plus KLTV to cable. Changed KLTV channel from ch. 7 to ch. 6, with degraded picture. Cable viewers have choice of three NBC pictures— WBAP-TV Dallas, KTBSTV Shreveport and KLTV; of two CBS pictures, from KRLD-TV in Dallas and KLTV, and of two ABC pictures, from WFAA-TV Dallas and KLTV. In July 1956, CBS cut network rate from $225 to $50, based, it is presumed, on field study indicating extensive cable viewing. Thus, KLTV lost six topflight network programs—still available to cable viewers but lost to non-cable customers and rural view ers. Ultimate result will be reduction of KLTV staff to engineers, elimination of local live shows entirely. Catv connections means viewers cannot receive KLTV oil air. In American Research Bureau survey, it was found that out of 83 cable-connected viewers watching specific program, 28 were vouching Dallas station and only 14 KLTV. In same survey of non-cable connected viewers, 57 of 63 viewers were watching same program via KLTV. Catv systems are part of broadcast industry and should abide by same rules and regulations. Catv systems must secure permission to use programs and signals of stations. Tyler antenna company has disregarded orders from stations, networks and film companies forbidding use of program material. FCC has authority to regulate catv operations, and must consider these systems on a case-by-case basis. Some catv operations are worthwhile and perform a function in serving underserved areas — but where they impinge on existing station they must be weighed against loss of service provided by local station. Also filing statements were Barclay Craighead, KXLJ-TV Helena, Mont.; Mrs. Mildred Ernst, KWRB-TV Riverton, Wyo.; Fred Weber, WBOY-TV Clarksburg, W. Va., and C. N. Layne, KID-TV Idaho Falls, Idaho and Frank Reardon, KGEZ-TV Kalispell, Mont. LAREDO SHOWDOWN KHAD-TV Laredo, Tex., has asked the FCC to set for hearing an application by Mesa Microwave Inc. for authority to establish a common carrier radio relay system to bring San Antonio tv signals to Laredo to be fed to a proposed community tv system. The ch. 8 Laredo station began operation Jan. 5, 1956. It has been feeding network programs to Laredo viewers via kinescope and film. This July it will begin bringing network programs to its viewers live, by an offthe-air pickup from San Antonio through AT&T installations. The cost will be $1,892.50 per month with a three-year guarantee of $31,300. The station will provide the land, building and tower for the terminal installation, it pointed out. This will permit it to boost operating hours from the present 52 hours weekly to 119 hours weekly, the station said. KHAD-TV lost $38,000 in 1956 and $3,000 in 1957, the petition stated. Mesa Microwave, a subsidiary of southwestern movie chain Video Independent Theatres Corp., proposes to construct the 150-mile relay for $145,000, and to feed the San Antonio tv programs to a catv company proposed to be built by Vumore Inc., also a subsidiary of Video Independent. Reub Kaufman . . announces the opening of headquarters in New York City for— • PACKAGING • FINANCING • DISTRIBUTION of selected films for television REUBEN R. KAUFMAN 15 EAST 48th ST., NEW YORK 17, N. Y. MURRAY HILL 8-2636 Dependable Service to TV Stations on Films of Unusual Interest for Viewers of all Ages. Page 62 June 2, 1958 Ford in FCBA Speech Attacks 1952 Communications Changes FCC Comr. Frederick W. Ford last Tuesday attacked some of the principal elements of the 1952 amendments to the Communications Act. Mr. Ford made his observations in a speech to the Federal Communications Bar Assn. in Washington. This was the first public address by Mr. Ford, who was appointed to the FCC last August, as a commissioner. He made a strong plea for a revision of the separation of functions amendment which bars the Commission from consulting even its own general counsel. He also suggested that the review staff be permitted to confer with commissioners in deciding adjudicatory proceedings and called for a change in the protest rule, which "has added more red tape and delay in the processing line." Mr. Ford questioned whether Congress really meant to forbid commissioners from seeing parties to comparative hearings because, he pointed out, the Senate-House conferees deleted that portion of the House bill which prohibited ex parte discussions. And, Mr. Ford said, he was confused by the "inconsistencies" in the elaborate due processes established for deciding between competing applicants for a facility and the lack of standards for approving a sale of a broadcast station. He also said he opposed suggestions that commissioners be required to write their own decisions. This does not make for a well-rounded decision, he said, and would further delay matters at the FCC. Broadcasting