Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1959)

CLOSED CIRCUIT The quiz kids • Preliminary arrangements for appearance of CBS-TV President Louis Cowan to testify before House quiz hearings had already been made when Mr. Cowan fell ill last week fstory page 41). Investigator Richard Goodwin, of House Legislative Oversight Subcommittee, had date with Mr. Cowan Oct. 22 to discuss testimony regarding $64,000 Question which Mr. Cowan originated. Date had to be cancelled when, night of Oct. 20, Mr. Cowan's doctor directed him to enter hospital. But there'll be no scarcity of witnesses when Oversight subcommittee resumes quiz hearings next week. Subcommittee has had swarms of investigators interviewing prospective witnesses in New York and elsewhere. Several prospects have asked to be protected by executive sessions, but so far star witness, Charles Van Doren, winner on NBC's TwentyOne and suspended NBC commentator, has made no such request. Fm in Europe • All Europe is rapidly moving its radio broadcasting to fm band (and calling it "vhf broadcasting") . Effects of trend are evident at Geneva International Telecommunications Union conference where biggest demand for spectrum space is in 100 mc area for fm operation. In U.S. fm occupies 88-108 mc area. Europeans use only 88-100 mc, and they want wider space for expanding fm systems. NBC Radio plan • NBC Radio officials expressed elation with reception given network's new combination networkingand-program-service plan (Broadcasting, Oct. 19) in Dallas, Atlanta and New York regional meetings with affiliates last week. But they and some affiliates came away with different ideas of intent in what was said. Some affiliates maintained that in effect they were given choice between 100% clearance of new network schedule, or being replaced in lineup. Network officials said they would do all possible to clear 100%, but had no intention of not fulfilling existing contracts with affiliates. One point on which there was agreement: that network officials had said ( 1 ) they would prefer a smaller lineup of stations who clear 100% to longer lineup clearing only 75%, and (2) stations which make no effort to clear completely will not be renewed when their contracts run out. Affiliates attending regional NBC Radio sessions — two remain: San Francisco today (Oct. 26) and Chicago Wednesday — got their first inkling of probable pricing of entertainment shows to be offered on fee basis under new SBC Program Service plan. Charge, as disclosed earlier, will be based on multiples of stations' one-minute spot rate for 10 a.m. time. Here are multiples \otted down by some affiliates in last week's sessions (figures are tentative, dependent on production costs in each case, but network officials confirmed they're "indicative" ): two 25-minute drama strips, eight times one-minute 10 a.m. rate per week: 20 five-minute personality vignettes per week, five times; 20 five-minute sports vignettes, four times; two quarter-hour serial strips, five times. Probers on prowl • FCC's investigation of network television programming practices — now more touchy than ever with quiz show scandals breaking — moves to warmer climes with coming of fall chill. FCC attorneys Ashbrook P. Bryant and James F. Tierney leave for Hollywood Oct. 30 to spend 10 days to two weeks exploring the "who controls what" in world of tv film. They have asked for appointments with dozen tv film producers, including such major entities as Warner Bros.. Screen Gems. Four Star Films, 20th Century-Fox. Following discussions, two lawyers will return to Washington and prepare for public hearings, possibly later this year. Commission's programming study, only segment of network investigation not completed with issuance of Barrow Report in October 1957, has been rocking along for past two years with interrogation of New York program producers, advertising agencies and network officials. Study actually did not get off ground until court battle in New York with independent program producers who refused to honor FCC subpoena for business and financial information. This was resolved finally in FCC's favor. Last March Commission added question of alleged tie-ins to other issues in programming inquiry. In Maypublic hearings were held in Washington with network officials submitting documents bearing on programming organization and practices, and in July public hearings were held in New York with advertising executives discussing their part in establishing and guiding programs on networks. Pilot problem • It's now becoming more widespread practice for agency and network programmers to demand scripts of as many as two and three episodes in addition to pilot shown on proposed film series. Program producers report it is nearly impossible now to sell tv film series on basis of pilot film only. MGMTV's answer to this development is creation of its pre-selling concept" which aims to get buyers to share some of financial risk in making pilots (see page 92). Image report • Lou Hausman, new director of Television Information Office, has spent most of his time since taking office soliciting support in swing around NAB regional conferences with Clair McCollough, Steinman Stations, chairman of Television Information Committee. But he hasn't entirely ignored job of building staff. He's interviewed several prospects, including some for No. 2 post. TIC will hold next meeting around Thanksgiving time, though choice of date is said to have no sentimental significance. By then it's hoped TIO will be getting down to work. Another NCS • A.C. Nielsen will have more to talk about this week than NCS — 4 (see page 38). Details of '61 coverage service will be made known, but also due for announcement tomorrow (Oct. 27) is undertaking of firm's first all-Canada broadcast survey for release this winter. Canadian NCS. covering both radio and television, is result of order by two substantial clients: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and J. Walter Thompson Co. Other agencies, advertisers and independent stations in Canada are expected to join subscriber list. Au naturel • French radio and television have historically been noncommercial, but there's good chance France may convert to commercial tv soon — perhaps first of year. It's probable French will adapt British pattern of prohibiting sponsorship of tv programs but allowing commercial messages to be aired at hour and half-hour and in natural breaks in programs. Meanwhile, British are finding some bugs in restricting commercials to natural breaks. In peak viewing periods commercial services pack as many as eight spots into 2V2-minute break. One American traveler observed: "And we complain about triple-spotting." Published every Monday, 53rd issue (Yearbook Number) published in September by Broadcasting Publications Inc., 1735 DeSales St., N. W., Washington 6, D. C. Second-class postage paid at Washington, D. C.