Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1959)

Co., Geneva, 111., to enlarge issues in consolidated proceeding on am applications of Mid-America Bcstg. System Inc., Highland Park, 111., et al. Ann. Dec. 3. By memorandum opinion and order, Commission denied motion by Sangamon Valley Television Corp. for stay of proceeding' on comparative applications of Wabash Valley Bcstg. Corp. and Illiana Telecasting Corp. for ch. 2 in Terre Haute, Ind., pending final action with respect to ultimate allocation of ch. 2 in Springfield-St. Louis remand proceeding. Ann. Dec. 3. By memorandum opinion and order, Commission denied petition by Video Independent Theatres Inc., seeking (1) removal of stay of Dec. 18, 1957 grant of its application to move trans, of KVIT (ch. 2), Santa Fe, from about 3 miles outside of Santa Fe to Sandia Crest, about 14 miles northeast of Albuquerque and 42 miles from Santa Fe, move main studio from present site of trans, to within Santa Fe, increase vis. ERP from 0.324 kw to 28.2 kw, with aur. ERP 14.4 kw, and make other equipment changes which was imposed pending hearing on protests by New Mexico Bcstg. Co. (KGGM-TV ch. 13) and Alvarado Television Inc. (KOATTV ch. 7) Albuquerque, (2) issuance of special temporary authorization to construct in accordance with that application, and (3) withhold action on pending application of Santa Fe Telecasting Co. for new station on ch. 11 in Santa Fe. Ann. Dec. 3. By memorandum opinion and order, Commission denied motion by Mainline Bcstg. Co. to sever from consolidated hearing and to grant its application for new am station in Portage, Pa.; also denied its request for oral argument and waiver of rules. Comrs. Lee and Bartley dissented. Ann. Dec. 3. Blue Island Community Bcstg. Co., Blue Island, III.; The News-Sun Bcstg. Co., Waukegan, 111.; Hi-Fi Bcstg. Co., Chicago, 111.; Elmwood Park Bcstg. Corp., Elmwood Park, 111.; Suburban Bcstrs., Berwyn, 111.; WXFM (FM) Elmwood Park, 111. — Designated for consolidated hearing five mutually exclusive applications for new fm broadcast stations and application of WXFM (FM) for renewal of license; made WXFM party respondent with respect to possible interference from proposed stations; denied WXFM request for additional time to reply to Commission 309 (b) letter of Sept. 23. Ann. Dec. 3. Commission granted applications by Salinas Valley Bcstg. Corp., KSBW-FM Salinas, Calif.; Gus S. Malpee, KFIL (FM) Santa Ana, Calif.; The Wooster Republican Printing Co. WWST-FM Wooster, Ohio; Herbert T. Graham, WMRT Lansing, Mich.; StateWide Bcstg. Corp., WSEL Chicago, 111., and John M. Norris, WGCB-FM Red Lion, Pa., for SCA to engage in functional (background) music operations on multiplex basis; conditions. Ann. Dec. 3. KMAC, KISS (FM) San Antonio, Tex.— Designated for hearing applications for renewal of licenses. Ann. Dec. 3. Routine Roundup By notice of further proposed rulemaking Commission proposed to amend its rules governing tv translator stations (part 4) to establish standards for licensing of new low power vhf tv translator stations. Comments are invited by Jan. 11, 1960. Basic requirement would be accomplished, in part, by establishing conditions to guard against harmful interference by vhf translators to other radio communication services. Power output of vhf translators would be limited to 1 w. Those desiring greater power could ask to operate on upper 14 uhf channels where, because interference possibilities are not so acute, translator power up to 100 w may be used. While uhf translators must meet prescribed mileage separations from regular tv broadcast stations, no similar rule proposed for vhf translators. However, any Vhf translator would be required to suspend operation if it causes interference to regular tv station, and licensees of vhf translators would be required to settle their own interference problems by mutual arrangement. Type approved equipment would be required. Contemplated minimal operator requirements call only for observation and remote control and automatic cut-off device. Rules would not permit use of so-called "co-channel" booster amplifiers (which transmit on same channel as tv stations they pick up). They are unstable and are capable of transmitting false and misleading signals when operated in vhf band. Licensing and other operational requirements for vhf translators would, in general, be comparable to those of uhf translators. Applicants for vhf translator operation would use FCC form 346, same one used for uhf translators. Comr. Bartley dissented. Ann. Dec. 2. Commission extended to March 31, 1960, period of grace for existing repeaters (boosters) which operate on vhf channels. Legislation relating to licensing of such installations is now pending before Congress. Comr. Bartley dissented. Ann. Dec. 2. Commission announced that following letter requesting certain information is being sent to all am, fm and tv broadcast stations: "Pursuant to the authority vested in the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, you are requested to file with the Commission not later than January 4, 1960, verified and in triplicate. the following information: "1. Since November 1, 1958, what matter, if any, has been broadcast by any of your stations for which service, money or any other valuable consideration has been directly or indirectly paid, or promised to, or charged, or accepted by your station or stations, or anyone in your employ, or independent contractor engaged by you in furnishing programs, from any person, which matter at the same time so broadcast has not been announced or otherwise indicated as paid for or furnished bv such person? "2. What internal controls and procedures have you established to provide you with information concerning the renumeration, other than that paid by you, that has been or may be received by individuals in connection with participation in the preparation and presentation of programs broadcast by your station? "A separate verified statement shall be filed for each AM. FM and TV broadcast station." Ann. Dec. 3. ACTIONS ON MOTIONS By Commissioner Robert E. Lee Granted petition by Southbay Bcstrs. for extension of time to Dec. 16 to file its opposition to petition by KFWB Bcstg. Corp., to enlarge issues in proceeding on Southbay's application for new am station in Chula Vista, Calif. Action Dec. 3. Granted petition by Broadcast Bureau for extension of time to Dec. 8 to file petition for review of Nov. 17 order granting motion by Skokie Valley Bcstg. Co. for leave to amend its am application which is in consolidated proceeding with am applications of Radio St. Croix Inc., New Richmond. Wis., et al. Action Dec. 3. Granted petition by The Enterprise Co. for extension of time to Dec. 4 to file exceptions to initial decision in Beaumont, Tex., tv ch. 6 remand proceeding. Action Dec. 3. Granted petition by Clearwater Bcstg. Corp. (WDCL) Tarpon Springs, Fla., to extent that it involves dismissal of its application of mod. of license; dismissed application with prejudice. Action Nov. 30. Scheduled hearings on dates shown in following proceedings: Jan. 11, 1960: Wood Bcstg. Inc. (WOOD-TV) Grand Rapids, Mich., to change facilities; Feb. 4: Tri State Bcstg. Co. (WONW) Defiance, Ohio; Feb. 8: applications of Laramie Broadcasters for new am station in Laramie, Wyo., et al Action Dec. 3. Granted petition by Fort Wayne Bcstg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind., for extension of time to Dec. 14 to file opposition to petition by South Bend Tribune (WSBT) South Bend, Ind., for leave to intervene in consolidated proceeding on am applications of Florence Bcstg. Inc., Brownsville, Tenn., et al. Action Dec. 3. Scheduled oral argument for Dec. 8 at 9:30 a.m., on petition by Graves County Bcstg. Inc., to dismiss without prejudice its application for new am station in Providence, Ky., which is in consolidated proceeding with am application of Muhlenberg Bcstg. Co. (WNES) Central City, Kv. Action Dec. 3. By Chief Hearing Examiner James D. Cunningham Scheduled for hearing on Jan. 13, 1960 am protest proceeding on applications of Old Belt Bcstg. Corp. (WJWS) South Hill, Va„ and Patrick Henry Bcstg. Corp. (WHEE) Martinsville, Va. Action Dec. 2. By Hearing Examiner J.D. Bond Granted request by Irvenna1 Bcstg. Co. and John K. Rogers for extension of time from Dec. 7 to Dec. 21 to exchange drafts of engineering exhibits in proceeding on their applications for new am stations in Irvine, Ky., and Bristol, Tenn., et al. Action Dec. 3. Granted petition by Broadcast Bureau for extension of time from Dec. 1 to Dec. 8 to file proposed findings and conclusions in proceeding on am application of Charlotte Radio & Television Corp. (WGIV) Charlotte, N.C. Action Dec. 3. Granted petitions by Gertrude Baker, Poplar Bluff, KGMO Radio-Television Inc., (KGMO) Cape Girardeau, both Missouri, and Northwest Mississippi Bcstg. Co., Senatobia, and Star Group Bcstg. Co., Jackson, both Mississippi, for leave to amend their applications involving 1550 kc to reduce proposed operating power of each from 10 kw to 5 kw; applications are in consolidated proceeding on am applications of Cookeville Bcstg. Co., Cookeville, Tenn., et al. for appeal purposes, effective date of order is Dec. 2. Action Dec. 1. By Hearing Examiner Basil P. Cooper Received in evidence exhibits III-A and B by WPRA Inc. (WPRA) Guaynabo, P.R., and stipulation in proceeding on am applications of WPRA Inc. and Island Telera'dio Service Inc., Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, V.I. and record closed. Action Dec. 3. By Hearing Examiner Thomas H. Donahue On petition by Robert Burdette & Assoc. Inc.. West Covina, Calif., and with consent of all other parties, continued dates for filing proposed findings and replies scheduled for Dec. 1 and 10 to dates to be determined after hearing has been held on issue recently inserted into this proceeding by memorandum opinion and order, released Nov. 20 on am applications of Robert Burdette & Assoc. Inc.. et al. Action Dec. 1; dismissed petition by Robert Burdette and Assoc. to reopen record. Action Dec. 2. Issued memorandum opinion and order covering pre-hearing conference in proceeding on application of M.V.W. Radio Corp., for new am staton in San Fernando, Calif., et al., formalizing certain rulings made; scheduled hearing for April 1, 1960. Action Dec. 1. Granted petition by Broadcast Bureau insofar as it requests that application of Pan American Radio Corp. for new am station in Tucson, Ariz., be placed in pending file and retained in hearing status. Action Dec. 2. Upon request by Island Teleradio Service Inc., and with concurrence of all other parties, scheduled hearing for Jan. 26. 1960 on Island's application and that of Supreme Bcstg. Inc. of Puerto Rico for new tv stations to operate on ch. 10 in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, V.I. Action Dec. 3. Continued on page 133 126 (FOR THE RECORD) BROADCASTING, December 14, 1959