Broadcasting Telecasting (Apr-Jun 1962)

Dodd 'final' hearing Sen. Juvenile Delinquency Subcommittee has set May 1 1 as date for longdelayed "final" public hearing in its investigation of effect of television violence on children. Date hadn't been announced as of Friday (May 4), presumably because of fear some hitch might cause postponment, as has happened in past. But top network officials have been invited to appear on 11th before subcommittee headed by Sen. Thomas J. Dodd (D-Conn.). Among those expected to testify are Robert Kintner, president, NBC; James Aubrey, president CBS-TV; and Thomas W. Moore, vice president, ABC-TV. Hearing could be explosive. Sen. Dodd has said subcommittee has "documents on file" showing network executives have ordered "more sex and violence" in shows to boost ratings. Presence of network chiefs would give senators opportunity to spread documents on record and ask for explanation. Tv spot sales soar There's now enough evidence in to indicate that first-quarter spot billing this year in television will be biggest first three-months in years. Final count expected to show spot moved ahead of comparable quarter last year by perhaps 20%, to $180 million or more. Increase will come just after all-time fourth-quarter spot tv high of $175 million-plus set last year (Broadcasting, March 12). Minow disappoints "Extreme disappointment" was perhaps most polite way members of American Women in Radio and Television could express feeling over lastminute drop-out of FCC Chairman Newton Minow from Friday morning panel which included NAB President LeRoy Collins and others, but girls had more colorful phrases to show feelings privately, especially after they had arranged three months in advance to have limousine whisk him to talk before Milwaukee Jewish community center same day. AWRT had made sure Mr. Minow would attend before setting all other panel participants, had keyed early publicity and promotion efforts on FCC chairman's acceptance. BAH evaluation Recommendations of Booz, Allen & Hamilton in management survey of FCC (Broadcasting, April 30) are back before agency staff for "objective and constructive evaluation." FCC Chairman Newton Minow has asked CLOSED CIRCUIT key bureaus and departments to come up with appropriate recommendations under overall supervision of Executive Officer Robert Cox. Final staff suggestions then will be presented to full commission for further action. FCC is moving ahead on one BAH recommendation— establishment of employe review board — through discussion of new rules with legal fraternity. Counter-programming NBC-TV is making its first counterprogramming move next season, despite "locked-in" schedule. Network has advertiser agreement and is moving Monday's 11th Hour into 10-11 on Wednesday, and Brinkley's Journal will be slotted Mondays, 10-10:30, leaving half-hour available to stations, except for six Monday 10-11 specials to be scheduled during next season — and on those dates preempting Brinkley. Counter-programming involved Ben Casey on ABC-TV, Monday, 10-11, and 11th Hour, which also has medical theme. Moves answer question of Bob Newhart's fate, since Sealtest dropped 10-10:30 Wednesday spot. Show is now cancelled. Luncheon with Stewart Dr. Irvin Stewart met with FCC for first time last week since he was named director of telecommunications for White House (Broadcasting, April 2). Five commissioners lunched with Dr. Stewart, former member of FCC himself, Tuesday in FCC's executive dining room. Session was very amiable, with both sides expressing mutual interest and cooperation. No concrete proposals were made or subjects discussed by either side. Missing were Commissioner Frederick W. Ford (who is in Japan) and Robert E. Lee. Radio active Though it may not mark full return of radio drama-type series to former stature, Charles Michelson Inc., New York, one of largest distributors of radio programs in medium's heyday, is reported to be re-activating company's radio division. In recent weeks, company has received inquiries from dozen stations and has made first two sales in long time. Niagara Mohawk Power Co. has bought Mystery Theatre series for WQSR Syracuse and plans to buy series for several other upstate New York markets. WUST Bethesda, Md., has purchased Life of Mary Sothern. Michelson has more than 20 radio serials in library. Golf to NBC NBC-TV on Friday (May 4) was in jubilant mood over what network seemed to think are potentially twin "wins" over CBS-TV: Shell's Wonderful World of Golf is moving from CBS-TV to NBC-TV because show and commercials can be shown in color (agency is Kenyon & Eckhardt); Arthur Godfrey, tied to CBS by contract, has been signed for one-week appearance as Tonight host (week of Sept. 24). There are 13 Shell golf shows, each one hour. They will be seen on Sundays, 4-5 p.m., starting next January. Sigalert to Cadre Co. Shortly to be announced will be acquisition of Sigalert, electronic warning system for transmission of emergency messages, by Beta Instruments Corp., Dallas, division of Cadre Industries Corp. Lloyd Sigmon, vice president and general manager, KMPC Los Angeles and president of Sigalert and Air Watch Inc., inventor of system, has entered into agreement with Beta giving it exclusive rights to manufacture and market equipment nationally. System has important defense connotations by using carrier waves of existing standard radio stations without interfering with normal operations (Broadcasting, April 30). One up, one to go Although all-channel receiver legislation passed House by overwhelming vote of 279-90 (story page 50) going in Senate is not expected to be that easy. There's formidable opposition to principle of government interference with free enterprise by making mandatory production of more expensive combination vhf-uhf receivers shipped in interstate commerce. But it's doubted whether this will be strong enough to override legislation already endorsed by President Kennedy and Senate Commerce Committee leadership. Broadcasters involved in all-channel receiver effort to thwart deintermixture of eight markets were generous in their praise of Assn. of Maximum Service Telecasters in legislative fight and its executive director, Lester W . Lindow. They also applauded efforts of eight stations on firing line in months' long battle wherein some had to compromise with principle of no interference by government in private business. Published every Monday, 53rd issue (Yearbook Number) published in November, by Broadcasting Publications Inc., 1735 DeSales St., N. W., Washington 6. D. C Second-class postage paid at Washington, D. C„ and additional offices.