Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1959)

CBS calls for All CBS officers and employes were asked by management last week to say whether they had taken or given "any money, service or other valuable consideration" for "the broadcast of any matter, since Nov. 1, 1958, over any facilities of CBS (owned stations or networks)." They were asked to answer the question twice: once as individuals, once as employes acting on behalf of CBS. If either answer was "yes," they were asked (1) whether an appropriate on-air announcement was made at the time to indicate "that such matter was paid for or furnished by such person" and (2) to fill out supplemental forms giving payola reports dates, names and other details. The questionnaires were sent out by Julius F. Brauner, CBS secretary and general attorney, so that CBS would be able to reply to FCC's request that all licensees furnish this information. The Nov. 1, 1958, date is the one specified by FCC. CBS asked its people to return the questionnaires by last Friday (Dec. 18) except for those who are on the West Coast, in which case the deadline is tomorrow (Dec. 22). Licensees must file their own answers with FCC by Jan. 4. The CBS questionnaire points out it is not talking about money received as CBS wages or salary. Network delays and daylight saving time delays): "The preceding program was pre-recorded." (A visual announcement to the same effect must accompany programs recorded for delayed broadcast.) Mr. Ream said responsibility for putting the rules into effect will lie with the program department and the producer of each show. He said additional standards may be issued later. More 'Monitor' time for sale by network An additional hour of NBC Radio's Monitor, from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays, will be opened up for sale by the network under its new operative format, authorities said last week. This Monitor period heretofore had been pegged for sale by affiliates. Announcement of the change coin cided with a meeting of network officials with the affiliates' program managers advisory committee. The meeting was held to discuss coordination of NBC Radio's new networking-plus-program-service plan, which goes into effect Jan. 4 (Broadcasting, Oct. 19, et seq), with affiliates' program structures. Albert L. Capstaff, vice president in charge of radio network programs, presided. Officials said a major subject in the meeting, held in New York Thursday (Dec. 17), was a revised music formula for the Monitor weekend service. On hand, in addition to Mr. Capstaff and other NBC Radio officials, were the following committee members: Herman Clark, WBAP Fort Worth; Franklin Coslett, WBRE-TV Wilkes-Barre, Pa. : Elmo Ellis, WSB Atlanta; William Goetze, KFSD San Diego; William Grant, KOA Denver; Peter Kizer, WOOD Grand Rapids; Ed Walker, WFLA Tampa, and W.W. Woods, WHO Des Moines and WOC Davenport, both Iowa. Firm sues WNEW-TV Kaz Mfg. Co., New York, has initiated a $1 million libel suit against Metropolitan Broadcasting Co., operator of WNEW-TV New York, charging that a commercial being carried on the station is "damaging" to a vaporizer that Kaz manufactures. The suit was filed Dec. 4 in New York Supreme Court. Metropolitan was served with a summons and has 20 days to reply. Harry Starr, counsel for Kaz, reported that a key statement in the commercial says "steam is dangerous." The commercial in question is for Pertussin, a cold remedy made by ChesebroughPond's. Mr. Starr said similar action may be taken against other tv stations which are carrying the Pertussin commercial. He contended the commercial shows a vaporizer that "without question is one that is put out by my client." A spokesman for Metropolitan said the company has received the summons but declined further comment. Blackout exception The National Football League, in anexpected but unusual move, last week removed its 75-mile tv blackout for Sunday's (Dec. 27) championship game between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants by permitting WRCTV Washington to carry the game. Television engineers said the signal from Washington station — some 35 miles away — would allow "most Baltimore fans" to see the clash. Austin Gusnel Jr., acting commissioner of the league, stressed the unusual move would be for this year's title game only. BROADCASTING, December 21, 1959 Christmas Greetings from SESAC, producers of . . . I ^jfc SESAC RECORDINGS ^Sj|^ "repertory recordings" Special Series Programs ♦Trademark 56 (THE MEDIA)