Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1962)

WFBL reports they call, li WFBL Syracuse, N. Y., has noted a sharp rise in both local and national billings, reported to be partly the result of a service permitting potential advertisers to check the programming of the outlet and its competitors by long distance telephone. WFBL's local billings rose 22% and national spot sales jumped 114% in the first nine months of 1961 over the similar 1960 period. ten and buy Henry T. Wilcox, the station's general manager, says the Sponsor Listening Service he started two years ago has been a "key factor" in the rise of revenues. Under the plan, WFBL invites advertisers anywhere in the country to call the station collect any time of day or night to hear live broadcasts of WFBL or any other stations broadcasting in the Syracuse area. Media reports... In motion ■ KHJ-AM-FM-TV Los Angeles has moved to 5515 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles 38. Phone number remains the same: Hollywood 2-2133. Fm in Shreveport ■ KTAL-FM Shreveport, La., went on the air Dec. 10 with UPI Movietone is expanding into the area of regular tv program series production in 1962, concentrating on informational and news shows. The move reflects the particular interests of producers and syndicators in documentaries this year (Broadcasting, Dec. 25, 1961). Four half-hour series are in various stages of development at the news organization, which has specialized in the production of newsfilm for tv stations and has handled special assignments for commercials and for industrial films. The programs under preparation for 1962 are a series of 26 or 39 episodes detailing the history of Communism and produced in association with Storer Program Sales; a weekly series titled Cover Story, exploring in depth a timely and significant news event, and produced in association with 20th CenturyFox TV and Showpac; and two halfhour weekly programs produced solely by UPI Movietone — a science news show and a newsreel. The company's move into regular program production was revealed last week in an interview with M. S. (Mickey) Greenman, director of sales and executive producer. He observed -that in the past year UPMT has produced four half-hour documentaries which have gotten "very satisfactory a power of 81.3 kw at 98.1 mc, according to Walter E. Hussman, president. The fulltimer broadcasts good music and is affiliated with KTAL-TV Shreveport. Walter M. Windsor is the general manager. Begins operations ■ KHUM Santa Rosa, Calif., began operations last PROGRAMMING acceptance" from tv stations. Big Film Library ■ This initial success led UPI Movietone to think of ways to use its facilities and manpower more productively, Mr. Greenman recounted. "Remember the basic UPMT library contains more than 90-million feet of recorded history covering events month with 500 w on 1580 kc. The daytimer is licensed to Bay Area Electronic Assoc. Lloyd Spangenburg is the general manager. Budding newsmen ■ KMBC Kansas City has announced a new program aimed at encouraging high school students who have expressed interest in broadcast journalism as a career. Called the Student Reporter, the monthly series will use a 'news conference' type of format with students quizzing various public officials. Help ■ The Ford Dealers of Maryland and WBAL-TV Baltimore presented a special football game Dec. 10 to benefit Fred Sturm, a local high school player who was injured during the season. The Ford Dealers sponsored the telecast on WBAL-TV and raised $2,000 for the fund. Starts stereo ■ WPFM (FM) Providence, R. I., Dec. 17 became that state's first station to broadcast in fm multiplex stereo, general manager John E. Donofrio reported. since the era of Bismarck. We have a film staff of 250 working out of 36 bureaus in the United States and abroad, plus 1,500 part-time employes who are on call for assignments, as well as laboratory, editing and production centers in 11 world capitals. In addition, we have at our disposal the world-wide facilities of United Press International. Taking stock, we decided we could use our resources more fully by expanding into the area we know best — information." The Communism series and Cover Screen Gems stockholders, officers meet Screen Gems' first annual meeting of stockholders apparently pleased the company's top executive officers (1 to r) — Leo Jaffe, first vice president and treasurer; A. Montague, execu tive vice president; A. Schneider, president and Jerome Hyams, vice president and general manager. The film company held its meeting recently in New York. UPI EXPANDS ITS TV NEWS Weekly documentary series slated for networks; other regular news shows planned for syndication 38 BROADCASTING, January 1, 1962