Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1961)

payments to a point more in line with the amount of ASCAP music actually used on tv (Broadcasting, Oct. 23). Current licenses expire Dec. 31. Charles H. Tower, Corinthian Broadcasting, was named vice chairman of the 21 -man all-industry group. Robert Dreyer of Metromedia and D. L. (Tony) Provost of Hearst Radio were officially added to the committee's membership. The negotiating committee consists of Chairman Shea, Messrs. Tower and Dreyer, and Bill Grant, KOA-TV Denver; Andy Murtha, Time-Life stations; Clifford Kirtland Jr., Transcontinent Stations, and Robert H. Smith, WCYB Bristol, Va. Allen seeks release; ABC says he can have it Steve Allen has asked for an immediate release from his contract with ABCTV, and the network is agreeable. A new program is expected to fill the 7:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday time slot starting the first week of 1962. Dissatisfaction with this time period was given as the reason for Mr. Allen's request that his contract, which would have run through the end of March, be terminated after the December 27 telecast. He said that ABC-TV had done nothing to give him what he considered a better time. He pointed out that the network was able to move The New Breed, with beneficial results to that series' ratings but not his show. Thomas Moore, ABC-TV vice president in charge of programming, when questioned about the matter, said: "We hope and expect to accede to Mr. Allen's request. However, it will take several days to iron out the schedule and advertiser allocations." Changing hands ANNOUNCED ■ The following sales of station interests were reported last week subject to FCC approval: ■ KYOS Merced, Calif.: Sold by Frank Flynn and Mrs. Lou McCormick to McBride Corp. for $187,500. The principal stockholder and president of the McBride Corp. is T. E. McBride of Philadelphia. Mr. Flynn is the present manager of KYOS; Mrs. McCormick owns also KSLM Salem, Ore. KYOS is a 5 kw fulltime on 1480 kc. The broker was Edwin Tornberg & Co. ■ KTRY Bastrop, La.: Sold by Paul Schilling to Mr. and Mrs. Mercer King Sr. and Margaret King of Columbus, Ga., for $39,500. Mr. King is in the laundry and dry cleaning business in Columbus, Ga. KTRY is 250 w day time on 730 kc. The broker was Paul H. Chapman & Co. APPROVED ■ The following transfers of station interests were among those approved by the FCC last week (for other other commission activities see For The Record, page 93). ■ WMGM New York, N. Y.: Sold by Loew's Theatres Inc. to Storer Broadcasting Co. for $10.95 million (see page 65). ■ WWVA-AM-FM Wheeling, W. Va.: Sold by Storer Broadcasting Co. to Ira Herbert and associates for $1.3 million (see page 65). ■ WPTV (TV) West Palm Beach, Fla.: Sold by John H. Phipps to ScrippsHoward Radio Inc. for $2 million (see page 65). ■ KCSJ-AM-TV Pueblo, Colo.: Sold by Bankers Life & Casualty Co. to Metropolitan Television Co. (KOA-AM-FMTV Denver) for $1,250,000 (see page 65). Wrather buys stock in Gilbert toy firm Jack D. Wrather Jr., a major stockholder in Transcontinent Television Corp., has bought into A. C. Gilbert Co., New Haven, Conn., a nationally known educational toy manufacturer, it was announced last week. Mr. Wrather's Wrather Organization paid $4 million for almost 50% of the common stock of the Gilbert Co. (Erector sets, American Flyer railroads, etc.). The stock was bought from the Gilbert family. Gilbert common closed at 21 on the American Stock Exchange last Thursday. Payment is 30% in cash and the remainder is to be paid in five yearly installment starting two years later. Mr. Wrather's holdings, in addition to the TTC interest, include control of Muzak Corp., radio-tv programs Lassie and The Lone Ranger, Disneyland Hotel and Stevens Marine Corp., a shipbuilding firm. TTC stations are WGRAM-FM-TV Buffalo, KFMB-AM-FMTV San Diego, KERO-TV Bakersfield (Calif.), WDAF-AM-FM-TV Kansas City, and 60% of WNEP-TV Scranton, Pa. The Gilbert purchase was handled by broker Edwin Tornberg & Co. New NCAB headquarters A new state headquarters will be opened in Raleigh, state capital, starting Jan. 1 as the first step in an expanded program of activity by the North Carolina Assn. of Broadcasters. It will be located at 302 Superior Bldg. and staffed by John Harden Associates, public relations firm. Ed Rankin, the firm's Raleigh manager, will be executive secretary; David Murray, former promotion manager of tlie sales we reject . . . prove our worth In selling or buying a broadcast property, one of your greatest protections is Blackburn's often demonstrated willingness to reject a sale rather than risk our reputation. For our business is built on confidence, and no single commission can be worth as much as our good name. Why hazard the risks of negotiating without benefit of our knowledge of markets, of actual sales, of responsible contacts? BLACKBURN & Company, Inc. RADIO • TV • NEWSPAPER BROKERS NEGOTIATIONS • FINANCING • APPRAISALS WASHINGTON. D. C. CHICAGO ATLANTA BBVERLY HILLS James W. Blackburn H. W. Cassill Clifford B. Marshall Colin M. Selph lack V. Harvey William B. Ryan Stanley Whitaker Calif. Bank Bldg. loseph M. Sitrick 333 N. Michigan Ave. ^'c. WNltams 9R44' Blvd. RCA Building Chicago, Illinois no2 Healey Bldg. Beverlv Hills. Calif. FEderal 3-9270 Financial 6-6460 |Ackson 5-1576 CRestview 4-2770 56 (THE MEDIA) BROADCASTING, December 18, 1961