Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1959)

Equipping a Radio Station? Type BQ-51A/BA-51A RCA Magnetic Disc Recorder Is a Great New Tool for Broadcasters ! It makes possible fast recording and playback of commercials and announcements. Extremely simple to operate, it minimizes the skill required to produce a professional recording. Erasable magnetic discs have a long life, equal to or greater than tape, thus production costs can be reduced. Whatever your equipment requirements, SEE RCA FIRST! WKte for descriptive literature to RCA, Dept. AB-22, Building 15-1, Camden, NJ. RADIO CORPORATION Of AMERICA Tmk(s) ® INTERNATIONAL CBC, CAB, HIT NEW PROPOSALS New rules would set minimum hours to be programmed with Canadian product Proposed regulations for Canadian television were criticized this week by both private broadcasters and the government owned CBC at public hearings before the Board of Broadcast Governors. The Board, which made proposals earlier this year, will announce final regulations Nov. 15. In separate briefs, the Canadian Assn. of Broadcasters and CBC argued particularly against a BBG proposal that 55% of all programming on Canadian tv stations be Canadian in origin. CAB warned that quality inevitably would suffer because of the limited local talent available. It suggested heavy capital and operating expenses needed to expand Canadian production facilities would be hard to find, particularly with a BBG-proposed limit of 25% on foreign investment in "Canadian companies." CAB urged the regulation be dropped, or reduced to 35% Canadian content during the first year of implementation with gradual increases thereafter. Canadian content requirements for private stations should be less than for the government-subsidized CBC. it added. CBS suggested 50% Canadian content is more reasonable, with the rule applying only in evening hours for nonnetwork stations. It also asked that the percentage be calculated on a two-week basis instead of weekly because of the increasing number of programs scheduled on a non-weekly basis. The other major point of attack was the proposed regulation that a "maximum of two hours broadcasting time each day between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 1 p.m. be reserved for purposes prescribed by the BBG. Programming during the two hours in whatever way provided will have a minimum of 55% Canadian content." Disrupting Influence • Both CBC and CAB warned the regulation could disrupt long term program planning. CAB added that BBG-prescribed programs could upset block programming and work to advantage of the stations' competitors. It said the 55% Canadian content demand during prime time could eliminate many U.S. -based sports events and spectaculars, giving competing U.S. border stations undue advantage. Proposed regulations limiting morning tv broadcasts also were attacked by CAB and CBC as aiding U.S. stations who can capture early viewers and hold 106 them through the day. CAB argued that a restriction on broadcasting hours reduced returns on capital investment. CAB's view was supported by the Canadian Assn. of Advertising Agencies and Assn. of Canadian Advertisers, as well as by private stations. In another brief, Metropolitan Educational TV Assn. of Toronto urged that at least one channel in each area be reserved for educational purposes. In areas like Toronto where only one channel is still available, it suggested the license be split between commercial and non-profit educational groups. The Association consists of the U. of Toronto, local school boards, Toronto's museum, art gallery and public library. Board proposals were supported by the Canadian Labour Congress and the Canadian Broadcasting League which includes, labor, farm and women's groups. Over emphasis on advertising by private stations was attacked by the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada. Tv is Thailand's biggest ad medium With just two television stations in Thailand (both in Bangkok) and a total of 35,000 sets in a population area of nine million, tv is still the country's greatest advertising medium, according to Pichai Vasnasong. TV director and producer from Thailand, who last week concluded a 10-day visit to New York as the guest of ABC-TV (Broadcasting, Nov. 2). In line with current thinking on overseas expansion of U.S. television program interests (Lead Story, Sept. 21) Mr. Vasnasong said that if television's growth is to be speeded up in Southeast Asia, there must be more trained technicians and the outmoded electrical systems must be modernized. Nonetheless, tv gets approximately 50% of Thailand's advertising budgets, he said. Radio, newspapers, magazines and billboards split the rest. By the end of 1960, when there will be three new tv stations, coverage will include 80% of the nation's 23 million people, the ABC-TV guest said. HST-TV Bangkok, the state-owned station which employs Mr. Vasnasong, works on a 60-40 plan; selling 60% of its time commercially, and devoting the remainder to public service program BROAD CASTING, November 9, 1959