Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1961)

1020' above overage terrain the extra 377' and new maximum power transmitter WOC-TV Channel 6 ^ D. D. Palmer, President Raymond E. Guth, General Manager Pax Shaffer, Sales Manager Exclusive National Representatives Peters, Griffin, Woodward, Inc. 62 (THE MEDIA) KATZ, ZIV JOIN TO FILL PRIME TIME Trailblazer' plan to help tv stations, syndication An "experiment" to encourage the development of an alternate source of prime-time television programs, other than those offered by the networks, was announced last Wednesday (Dec. 13) by The Katz Agency Inc., station representation firm, and Ziv-United Artists, program syndicator. Under the "Trailblazer '62" plan, Katz-represented stations will purchase two first-run half-hour programs for the 1962-63 season. Stations participating in the arrangement will guarantee the scheduling of at least one program in prime time. Katz will then offer this program for sale to a national or regional sponsor. The other program, which need not be scheduled in prime time by the individual stations, will be offered as an announcement carrier. Eugene Katz, president of the rep firm, said Trailblazer represents an effort by the 40 Katz-represented stations to obtain "quality programs" through the group's purchasing power. He stressed that though a price advantage may result, this is not the primary goal. Ziv-UA will tell the Katz firm plans for programs it is considering for production for 1962. From these plans, Katz will select the two programs it wants for Trailblazer. Katz stations then will have first refusal rights — that is, a choice of accepting or rejecting the offered programs. Trailblazer programs rejected by Katz stations can be offered to other stations in the same market. Program Selection ■ A four-man review committee will select the programs to be offered. Committee members are Merl L. Galusha, operations manager, WRGB (TV) Schenectady; Robert Olson, program manager, WTVT (TV) Tampa, Fla.; Jack Tipton, station manager, KLZ-TV Denver, and Ollie Blackwell, director of audience development at Katz. Katz stations were informed of the plan late last week. Mr. Katz described reaction from those consulted earlier as "No acceptances, no turn downs, and many enthusiastic cheers." Mr. Katz thinks "there is a possibility of less network programming in prime time" next season. He said this possibility exists even if the FCC fails to reduce or eliminate network option time. The Trailblazer plan, he said, should be welcomed by national advertisers as a unique guarantee of prime time scheduling in a large group of major markets. The plan also is seen as an effort to sustain the number of first-run syndicated tv shows, which has dwin dled from 27 in 1958 to seven this season. More Shows? ■ M. J. (Bud) Rifkin, Ziv-UA executive vice president in charge of sales, said Ziv-UA's participation in the plan represents "an effort to keep tv syndication from drying up." He indicated Trailblazer may encourage the production of one or two shows which would not otherwise get off the planning boards. If out of a group of seven shows, he explained, Ziv has definite plans to produce three but the Trailblazer selection committee is interested in a fourth as one of its selections, the syndication firm probably will produce the four. Mr. Rifkin emphasized that the programs offered for the plan would not be "network rejects." He said Ziv-UA develops programs for either syndication or network showing and does not mix the two. The Katz and Ziv-UA experiment is for a year, and has a renewal option to renew for one or more years. The Katz firm under the plan will receive only "customary commissions on the sale of time." Mr. Katz said. NAB plans conference on station editorials A national NAB conference on radio-tv editorializing is being projected for March 1-2 in Washington. Preliminary plans for the workshop session were approved Dec. 12 by the NAB Editorializing Committee headed by Daniel W. Kops, WAVZ New Haven, Conn. The conference would be designed to give practical aid to broadcasters not now editorializing, direct their attention to successful efforts by stations taking positions on local problems and provide background information from government leaders on broad national topics. The committee voted to revise and expand the NAB editorializing handbook, adding a section laying down ethical principles for broadcast editorials dealing with political candidates and issues. FCC Chairman Newton N. Minow met informally with the committee at a luncheon session. Also attending were these committee members: Frank J. Abbott Jr., WWGP Sanford, N.C.; John F. Dille Jr., WTRC-WSJV-TV Elkhart, Ind.; Eugene B. Dodson, WTVT (TV) Tampa, Fla.; Simon Goldman, WJTN Jamestown, N.Y.; Frederick S. Houwink, WMAL-AM-TV Washington; Lee Ruwitch, WTVJ (TV) Miami, Fla. BROADCASTING, December 18, 1961