Broadcasting (Apr - June 1960)

various provisions relating to writers’ credits. Referring to his letter to WGA, Mr. Jencks declared: “It is not the policy of the Alliance to play ‘cat and mouse’ with the matter of the acceptability of a proposal which we were previously willing to accept. We do not expect to make either a better deal or a worse deal than that which was hammered out in good faith negotiation with the guild's negotiating committee.” On Monday (May 16) the WGA Screen Branch turned down an offer of the Alliance of Motion Picture Producers to settle the guild’s strike against them. Like that against the tv films, the writers strike against theatrical pictures has gone on since Jan. 16. Major issue here is pay tv. On one other front, the National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint charging unfair labor practices against ATFP for refusal to bargain with the Screen Extras Guild individually. SEG’s contract with ATFP expired April 2, 1959. Hearing on the complaint is set for June 20. NBC-TV colorcasts 920 hours this year NBC-TV will program 920 hours in color this year, up 27% over 1959, according to Paul Klempner, color sales executive at NBC-TV. He spoke in Las Vegas at RCA dealer and distributor meetings. He said color programming in some markets is up to 50 hours a week, and that the summer tv network color schedule is 16% over last year. Other statistics: 98 out of every 100 homes are within the coverage areas of 350 color-equipped stations. He said the first week in November this fall will have 21 hours of color, against 16 hours last year — up 31%. RCA President John Burns told western distributors in Las Vegas, Nev., May 1 8, that an RCA Advanced Styling Center will be established this year, while the Advanced Engineering Center is already in operation at the David Sarnoff Research Center in Princeton, N.J. He said the styling center would develop new concepts of design and technology for home instruments as far ahead as 1970. Survey shows trends in video tape rates Video tape rate practices still show such disparity at tv stations throughout the country that meaningful averages cannot be drawn, but some general trends now are apparent, Bob Day, sales development manager of the video products division of the Ampex Professional Products Co., said last week. His division has completed a second survey of rate practices, similar to that conducted a year ago. Perhaps the most significant trend shown was that fewer stations now charge for on-air playback of the video tape commercial or program than did a year ago. Mr. Day interpreted this to mean that more stations now consider on-air tape playback is comparable to the use of their camera chains for on-air playback of film spots or programs. The 1960 survey showed that only 20.48% of the respondents charge special fees for on-air playback as against 37.5% in 1959. Fees set by those that do charge ranged from $2 to $25 per spot and up to $100 per hour (New York) for programs. The 1960 survey showed more stations now have commissionable charges than a year ago, 69.75% now as against 57.89% in 1959. There also has been a slight increase in the practice of charging straight time for recording sessions (39.08% as against 37.77%) and a slight decrease in the practice of making per-recorded-unit charges (60.29% as against 62.23%). Straight-time recording fees range from $15 to $100 per 15 minutes, but some charge on a half-hour base ($30 to $194) and others charge on an hour base ($60 to $110). Per-recorded-unit fees range from $15 to $100 per spot. The 1960 survey showed a slight dip in the number of stations which charge storage rental fees for spots or programs retained on a tape for long periods of time such as a week, month or 13-week cycle. Less than one out of five stations make such charges, however. Splicing, editing and dubbing fees also continue to range widely, the 1960 survey showed. Indianapolis race gets big coverage More than 114 hours of broadcast time is being allocated by WFBM-AMTV Indianapolis for coverage of the Indianapolis 500-mile auto race and related events. The stations’ “Speedway Schedule” began May 1 and is building in intensity toward the big Memorial Day marathon. Shows in color from trackside have been aired frequently from 5:45-6 p.m. As the qualifying trials come up, WFBM-TV brings them to the viewers. The station has reported plans for more than 114 hours of broadcast time will be devoted to the festivities. It is dispatching a 40-man crew to handle remote broadcasts and telecasts and using equipment costing some $400,000. RCA-NBC’s color mobile remote unit, used this winter to bring horse racing from Hialeah, Fla., has been shipped to Indianapolis for the trackside remote and for complete coverage of the $50,000 500-Mile Golf Tourney. In addition to auto-race color and background, parties for participants, featuring interviews with the racers, are scheduled. The victory dinner will be shown on television the day after a one-hour review of the race’s highlights. The entire 500 will be carried on radio, sponsored by Carling’s beer. Disney reports loss Consolidated operations of Walt Disney Productions for the 26 weeks ended April 2, 1960, showed a loss of $90,485, equal to 6<j: a share, after an income tax credit of $95,000, Roy O. Disney, president, reported to stockholders last week. In the corresponding 27-week period ended April 4, 1959, Disney had a net profit of $906,485, equal to 57^ per share. Total gross for the recent six-month period was $18,805,820, compared to $23,430,211 for the same period of last year. Most of the loss is attributable to a drop in tv income from $7,626,370 a year ago to $2,894,843, due to legal troubles with ABC that kept Zorro and Mickey Mouse Club off the air. United Press International news produces! 90 (PROGRAMMING) BROADCASTING, May 23, 1960