Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1959)

FANFARE Christmas spectacular at sea The Coast Guard cutter Escanaba, prowling the Atlantic on weather patrol carried a "secret" Christmas cargo supplied by WNBH New Bedford, Mass. When WNBH found that the vessel would be at sea during the holidays, it obtained a ship's roster and with the cooperation of 25 other radio and tv stations throughout the country, had messages taped of the crew's families sending personal greetings for Christmas. None of the crew members knew of the Christmas day plan except the skipper and a technician. The voices and personal greetings of as many family members as could be reached were piped throughout the ship as part of a three-hour program taped by WNBH, which included a message from New Bedford's mayor, music and humor. There were also special Christmas messages for crew members whose families could not be reached and nine hours of diversified music to be played as ship's concerts. Stations cooperating with WNBH in the project were WCNR Bloomsburg, Pa.; WDEL Wilmington, Del.; WBAW Barnwell, S.C.; WPIK Alex andria, Va.; KMCD Fairfield, Iowa; WCNX Middletown, Conn.; WSAV Savannah, Ga.; WGIR Manchester, N.H.; WWNH Rochester, N.H.; WIND Chicago; WCBS New York; WDUZ Green Bay, Wis.; WMAS Springfield, Mass.; WVOX New Rochelle, NY.; WLHN Laconia, N.H.; WOLS Florence, S.C.; KJFJ Webster City, Iowa; WSB Atlanta, Ga.; WFBM Indianapolis, Ind.; WICC Fairfield, Conn.; WMTR Morristown, N.J.; WAGR Lumberton, N.C.; KTAR Phoenix, Ariz.; WFGM Fitchburg, Mass., and WBRE-TV Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Honolulu d. j. fights Morpheus for 9 days Foregoing the blessed sleep that knits the ravelled sleeve of care, Tom Rounds, air personality with KPOI Honolulu set what is claimed as a new stay-awake record of 203 hours, 44 minutes and 40 seconds without sleep. Camping in the Wigwam, a Honolulu department store, with doctors making regular checks, fellow KPOI staffers urging him to stay awake and the public gawking, Mr. Rounds went after the record set by d.j. Peter Tripp of WMGM New York (Broadcasting, Feb. 9). The Honolulu Advertiser, which operates rival KGU, that city, gave a running account of Mr. Rounds' ordeal on the front page for five straight days, including pictures of the disc jockey in various stages of exhaustion. The Wigwam reaped a 50% sales increase in the period the wake-a-thon was in progress. During most of the time, Mr. Rounds continued his regular on-air duties, though near the end, observers noted changes in his personality. The last day, a call was put through to Peter Tripp, who advised him that "you're going to be emotionally unstable for the next few weeks or months." When the record time had been passed, Mr. Rounds announced to the store crowds and the KPOI microphone that he intended to now break another record — consecutive sleeping. He soon fell into convulsive sobbing fits and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Plans were to keep him there at least 48 hours and then he hoped to return to his regular broadcasting duties with perhaps "a longer rest" later. Time capsule To celebrate 10 years of service, WOAI-TV San Antonio, Tex., sunk a time capsule in the ground adjacent to its studios. The capsule is to be opened Dec. 11, 1984. It contains records of the achievements and major events of the past 10 years as well as predictions of local authorities about what the next 25 years may have in store. On hand to witness the ceremony, which was telecast live on a 15-minute special and repeated on taped excerpts on the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. news, were officials of San Antonio, Bexar County and members of the chamber of commerce. Henry Guerra, WOAI-TV newscaster, was m.c, briefly reviewing the station's achievements in its first decade. James M. Gaines, president, said the station recognizes its great responsibility "which can be discharged only through the highest standards of respect for the American home." Prize-winner Joe Andrews, promotion manager of WMAZ-AM-TV Macon, Ga., won for his station the grand prize in the Streitmann Biscuit Co.'s contest for the best presentation of its new Zesta saltine 8-pack carton. Some 30 tv and 60 radio stations entered the contest, submitting merchandising plans or promotions to introduce Zesta. The five winning stations got the Streitmann schedule and follow-up ads in addition to a plaque. An advertisement in Broadcasting saluted WMAZ. The radio division of the contest was won by Larry Marker of WING Dayton, Ohio. Runners-up in the tv category were William Scruggs, Jr., WSOCTV Charlotte, N. C; Jack Williams, WSAZ-TV Huntington, W. Va., and Charles Wolaver, WHIO-TV Dayton. • Drumbeats Garbage king • Beauty and air personality contests notwithstanding, KING Seattle decided to poll listeners as to their favorite garbage man. KING scheduled the "garbage man of the year" contest to "focus attention on the need for wrapping wet garbage before throwing it into the refuse can." Listeners were asked to pick their favorite g.m. in the Pacific Northwest. The winner: Gif BROADCASTING, December 28, 1959 BROADCASTING THE SUSlNeSSWEEKLY OF television and radio I73S DeSales St., N. W. Washington 6, D. C. NEW SUBSCRIPTION ORDER Please start my subscription immediately for— □ 52 weekly issues of BROADCASTING % 7.00 □ 52 weekly issues and Yearbook Number 11.00 □ Payment attached □ Please Bill name title/ position company name ~ ~ address I city fmne state | SamJ $9 home address I 62