Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1960)

CLOSED CIRCUIT Eye on the gate • Nobody's more interested than sports promoters in outcome of Toronto subscription television experiment that was to begin last Friday (story page 29). They figure that if hockey games on Toronto system turn out to be good box office, it'll be only matter of time before series of weddings between sports interests and closed-circuit subscription operators in U.S. By agreement between National Hockey League and Telemeter, Toronto toll system will show road games of Toronto Maple Leafs. League's New York games are played in Madison Square Garden, and Garden officials are keenly interested in how things work out. But you can forget about pay tv figuring in World Series or All-Star baseball games until 1967 anyway. While contract terms between Baseball Commissioner Ford C. Frick and NBCGillette ($20,000,000) were not released, it was ascertained at Bellaire, Fla., where announcement was made, that there's no escape clause permitting shift to pay tv for contract's duration. This incidentally is in keeping with Mr. Frick's testimony before Congressional committees last session that World Series wouldn't be used as guinea pig for pay tv. Confirmations • While some weeks may elapse before Senate Commerce Committee considers nomination of Comr. Robert E. Lee for second seven-year term on FCC (Broadcasting, Feb. 22), there's little indication of formidable opposition to confirmation. Chairman Magnuson (D-Wash.) told Broadcasting last week that since Mr. Lee's present term does not expire until June 30, committee will not consider his or other nominations until other urgent business is cleared. He indicated hearing would be held perhaps 30 days in advance of expiration assuming existing Senate floor impasse on civil rights is broken. Similarly, committee is not disposed to hear Chairman Earl W. Kintner, who was nominated for seven-year term on Federal Trade Commission, since his present tenure does not expire until September. Election year confirmations of presidential appointees to independent commissions in past have been dealt with rather warily when opposition party has been in control of Congress. There are no signs, however, of any organized op position either to Comr. Lee or Chairman Kintner. Next FCC vacancy would occur June 30, 1961, when Chairman Doerfer's term expires — after new President has taken office. Ex parte cases • Miami's ch. 7 case involving grant to WCKT (TV), of which Niles Trammell is presidentgeneral manager and part owner (with executives of Miami Herald and Miami News), tentatively is scheduled for hearing in Philadelphia in late March. Issue is whether overtures were made by any of principals of four original applicants to members of FCC on ex parte basis. FCC investigators have been working on case intermittently since FCC ordered reconsideration on its own motion last April. Pre-hearing conference has been set for March 16 at FCC Examiner Horace Stern's chambers in Philadelphia. Edgar Holtz, FCC associate general counsel in charge of proceedings, and staff attorney Joel Rosenbloom were to leave today (Monday) for Miami to line up witnesses. At request of federal district court in Washington, FCC has withheld proceedings in this and other cases covered by House Oversight Committee pending retrial of former Comr. Richard A. Mack and Thurman Whiteside, Miami attorney, on conspiracy charges which ended in hung jury last July 10. With Mr. Mack now committeed to institution (Broadcasting, Feb. 15) and with new trial deferred until April 25, FCC is expected to determine soon whether it will continue to delay other proceedings beyond April 25. Dept. of Justice intercession or request for postponement by Mr. Mack's counsel could affect procedures. And more ex parte • FCC is ready to give clean bill of health to about 10 comparative tv grants, aside from those mentioned above, concerning which there were allegations before House Legislative Oversight Subcommittee of ex parte contacts and improper pressures. In only one case, Jacksonville, Fla., ch. 12 grant, is there probability of further proceedings although FCC may send routine inquiries in two or three other contests. Cases receiving clearance after cursory examination do not include those remanded by courts or Orlando, Fla., ch. 9, reopened by Commission. Burning issue • Second afternoon of last week's annual meeting of presi dents of state broadcaster associations (story page 44) was reserved for open discussion of important problems facing industry. Topic on which most time and serious talk were spent: How to get auto license plates bearing station call letters. New kennel • Senate's "watchdog" subcommittee on fairness in political broadcasting is no more. It was dissolved last Wednesday by full committee but its function promptly made part of Subcommittee on Communications headed by Sen. Pastore (D-R.I.). Sen. Yarborough (D-Tex.), who was chairman of three-man "watchdog" committee, was named to Communications subcommittee. Senators McGee (D-Wyo.) and Scott (R-Pa.) are already members of subcommittee. Chairman Magnuson said that fusion would ease task of procuring small budget to handle Sec. 315 scrutiny. Original subcommittee on "freedom of communication" was created "to insure freedom, fairness and impartiality in the treatment of news by media operating under government license." Blue air • Another incident involving use of questionable language by disc jockey is due to break into open soon. No formal complaint has yet been made, although one reportedly is in preparation, but tape was taken to Washington and played to FCC staffers. Station involved is in small southeastern market, and it's alleged d.j. has been using off-color language for years. More to come • Federal Trade Commission shows no signs of being near bottom of barrel of payola complaints against record companies. Look for new batch of complaints which may be issued this week. Political problem • Congress has more than casual interest in community antenna systems this election year: Do they fall under provisions of Sec. 315 of Communications Act which require equal time for political candidates? Obviously not, since they're unregulated (although Senate has pending bill which would put catv under FCC regulation). What politicos fear is that catv companies might (1) provide time to one candidate and not to others, or (2) carry candidate on one station but fail to carry same station when other candidates appear. This promises to become issue soon. Published every Monday, 53rd issue (Yearbook Number) published in September by Broadcasting Publications Inc., 1735 DeSales St., N. W., Washington 6, D. C. Second-class postage paid at Washington, D. C.