Broadcasting Telecasting (Jul-Sep 1962)

CLOSED CIRCUir Cox for Cross? FBI security check made during past 10 days on FCC Broadcast Bureau Ciiief Kenneth A. Cox has led to speculation that he will be named FCC commissioner to succeed John S. Cross, Arkansas Democrat, whose term was to expire last Saturday (June 30). At deadline Friday there was no word from White House. Senators, FCC and others in public life had been interviewed on what was described as "expedited" check of Mr. Cox but since FBI operates confidentially, reason was not given. Dejected, Mr. Cross left Washington for his Arkansas home Friday without knowing whether he was in or out. If his successor isn't appointed, he can continue in office until appointment is made but it's doubted whether he would elect that option. If Mr. Cox, 45, tough, tenacious and personable lawyer from Washington state (Democrat) is appointed, it would be real coup for FCC Chairman Newton N. Minow, who vigorously opposed Cross reappointment. Messrs. Minow and Cox think alike, which would mean support in crusade on i program and business controls. Juntilla new Broadcast chief? Believed already hand-picked as new Broadcast Bureau chief to succeed Mr. Cox is James O. Juntilla. Mr. Juntilla, 38, became assistant chief last April, after rejoining FCC in March 1961 as assistant to bureau chief. He served as FCC attorney in Broadcast Bureau from 1949-1952, resigning to join Arnold, Fortas and Porter, Washington law firm. If Mr. Cox doesn't get FCC appointment now, he is regarded as shoo-in for vacancy to be created when term of Democratic Commissioner T. A. M. Craven expires year from now. Commander Craven, who will reach retirement age of 70 in January, isn't candidate for reappointment. Curtis and Culligan Curtis Publishing Co. may be look>i ing for more than new president and chief executive officer in negotiations it's been having with Matthew J. Culligan for those posts. There's good chance Curtis hopes to shore up its flagging finances by getting into tv station ownership and is looking for top man who has broadcast as well as magazine experience. Mr. Culligan, currently corporate executive of Interpublic Inc., has both but is heaviest in broadcast. He formerly headed NBC Radio network, before that was rising NBC-TV executive. But before either, he was advertising director of group of Ziff-Davis publications (Radio-Tv News, Photography, Flying, et al) and before that was with Good Housekeeping. Decision expected momentarily on whether he and Curtis will get together. Currency slump hits sales Distributors of U. S. programs in foreign markets are reported to be disturbed by increasing devaluation of currency in various countries of world. Particular sore spots are said to be Canada, Argentina. Venezuela and Philippines. U. S. distributors are faced with problem of accepting fewer dollars or raising prices, and fear latter alternative may price them out of markets. More blue-nosing If proposed congressional investigation of movies and related advertising (which could involve television) gets underway, it will be conducted by special subcommittee of House Commerce Committee under chairmanship of Rep. Walter Rogers ( D-Tex. ) , who proposed inquiry. Rep. Rogers' original resolution suggested study be made by specially created House committee. But when jurisdictional question was raised, he introduced second resolution, proposing job be done by special subcommittee of Commerce Committee, of which he is member. Commerce Committee Chairman Oren Harris (D-Ark.) favors this approach. Situation, however, is still iffy. Rules Committee, which is considering proposal, is said to agree with Rep. Rogers that movies are relying too heavily on sex to sell product. But committee hasn't yet cleared resolution for House vote, and there is no indication when it will. No director for TIG yet Selection of new director of Television Information Office may be made in fortnight by selection committee. Retiring director, Louis Hausman, made final report on tv imagepromoting agency to NAB's Tv Board last week. Several names are under consideration. There's no evidence that radio wants or needs similar image operation, judging by survey of NAB's Radio Public Relations Committee, consisting of board members. Survey showed unanimous opposition to suggestion that "Radio Information Office" be formed. Committee is headed by Hugh O. Potter, WOMl Owensboro, Ky. Riverton again That "economic injury" Riverton, Wyo., am case was back before FCC last week (Broadcasting, May 28) and new instructions were issued to stafl:. Orders were to prepare issues for hearing on applications for two new Riverton ams — but on financial qualifications rather than whether city can support more than one station (it now has KVOW which protested new applications). FCC first ordered hearing on economic grounds but day later reconsidered and ordered that public disclosure of hearing be withheld (Broadcasting, May 14). Despite this action, "economic issue" hearing order was printed by mistake in Federal Register (Broadcasting, May 21). At same meeting last week, FCC set for hearing on economic issue application for new am in Blythe, Calif, (see page 36). New Crowell-Collier chief Appointment of top broadcaster to head Crowell-Collier broadcast operations as successor to Robert M. Purcell, transferred to new audio-visual field, expected soon. W. D. Cole, board chairman, and Raymond C. Hagel, president of parent company, have interviewed more than dozen station executives in past few weeks for presidency of Crowell-Collier Broadcasting Corp., wholly owned subsidiary of publishing company, which now operates radio stations KFWB Los Angeles; KEWB San Francisco; KDWB Minneapolis. Plans for expansion, including television acquisitions, also are under consideration. Another wallop Latest in rash of paperbacks and other instant prints walloping television is one entitled TV in America: The Morality of Hard Cash. Authored by Meyer Weinberg, book will be released July 16. Tip-off comes in pitch of Ballantine Books Inc., publishers, saying book "takes a hard look at the men who run television, the commercial greed that dictates deliberately mediocre programming and the pathetically unequal contest between tv's powerful lobby in Congress and the harassed officials of the FCC." 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.