Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1959)

formation, skill or luck must, in fact, be genuine contests and the results must not be controlled by collusion with or between contestants, or any other action which will favor one contestant against any other. "No program shall be presented in a manner which through artifice or simulation would mislead the audience as to any material fact. Each broadcaster must exercise reasonable judgment to determine whether a particular method of presentation would constitute a material deception, or would be accepted by the audience as normal theatrical illusion." At the task force meeting the idea of an all-industry meeting embracing organizations in the broadcast field was considered [Closed Circuit, Dec. 14]. Asked about this phase of the discussion, President Fellows said: "It's difficult to see what purpose would be served by such a meeting at this time. The question was mentioned at the task force meeting but was not discussed in any depth. Once the FCC has concluded its hearings, the idea may come up again. We are devoted to the process of improving self-regulation and unity in this industry. Perhaps station representatives, Assn. of National Advertisers and American Assn. of Advertising Agencies should be included if an all-industry meeting is considered further." Steel debate WGN-AM-TV carried a taped debate between David J. McDonald, president of the United Steelworkers of America, and Joseph L. Block, chairman of Inland Steel Corp., on issues of the steel strike. The broadcasts made national headlines. The program was taped in the office of W. D. Maxwell, editor of The Chicago Tribune, stations' parent organization, and played back a few hours later on both radio and tv. ABC's WBKB (TV) sought and got permission to rebroadcast the debate Dec. 14, and Sterling C. Quinlan, vice president in charge of the station, offered both participants free time for further discussion. Mr. McDonald said he had received offers from radio-tv networks for "all the time they need" to discuss strike issues. Last week, he also challenged Roger M. Blough, chairman of U.S. Steel Corp.. to a similar debate. WGN Inc. reported highly favorable reaction to its special public service program. WBEN's new home • WBEN-AM-FM-TV Buffalo will shuffle off to the luxurious new quarters pictured above in January. Since WBEN went on the air in September 1930, offices and studios have been located in the Sutler Hilton in downtown Buffalo. Now two-story addition has been connected with the building that formerly housed NBC's uhf WBUF (TV) (at left) Purchase of this facility includes the latest automation equipment. Former capacity has been doubled, providing space for WBEN s studios, business offices' and technical facilities. Radio will emanate from the new quarters Sunday, Jan. 10, with tv moving following week. Address: 2077 Elmwood Ave Phone: Bedford 0930. Installation cost: $1 million plus. NO 'LIVE ON TAPE' AT CBS-TV Rules implement 'full disclosure policy' The CBS-TV network spelled out in more detail last week how it will go about making sure that what its audience sees is "exactly what it purports to be." The additional rules, effective last Tuesday (Dec. 15), were issued in a memorandum by Joseph H. Ream, vice president in charge of program practices. He said they were designed to implement the network's full-disclosure policies and at the same time "impose as few burdens as possible on creative programming." The rules do not apply to news and public affairs programming, already treated in a memo (Broadcasting, Dec. 7), and. according to Mr. Ream, also to be dealt with in another. Nor do they apply to commercials. Mr. Ream's memo specified the language to be used in announcing the fact whenever programs or portions of programs were pre-recorded, when canned applause is used, when guests appear to be but are not chosen at random or interviewed spontaneously, when seemingly real situations actually are fictionalized, when lip-sync is used, and in similar situations. Hitch-hikers • "Audio announcements." Mr. Ream's memo said, "will be placed immediately at the beginning of the closing credits prior to any scheduled promotional announcements, except where otherwise specified. Visual BROADCASTING, December 21, 1959 announcements will be made by telop or as part of the usual closing credits, except where otherwise specified. "It is emphasized that these announcements shall not be so brief or hurried as to avoid informing the average viewer." Among the situations covered, and the language prescribed in each case, were these: When a program is originally recorded on film or tape and this fact is not otherwise clearly stated, or when a live program includes some film or tape segments: "The preceding program (or portions of the program) was (were) pre-recorded." When a film or tape program includes film or tape made earlier and not as part of the particular broadcast (except in the case of standard stock footage): "Certain portions of this recorded program were pre-recorded." Audience Reaction • When canned applause is used: "Audience reaction technically produced." When canned applause is added to live audience reaction: "This program was performed (filmed) (taped) before a live audience with audience reaction technically augmented." Alternative: "Audience reaction technically augmented." When a program originated at an earlier hour is recorded for network repeat broadcast (examples: Pacific Coast 55