Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers (1930-1949)

Feb., 1945 EXCERPTS FROM FCC REPORT 131 civilian use. The recent trend of events indicates that it will be necessary for the Commission to continue indefinitely, and perhaps strengthen its present policies restricting the use of critical materials and manpower for civilian radio purposes. The Commission, however, does believe that it is in the public interest to announce its proposed allocations at this time so that broadcasters, manufacturers of radio equipment and persons desirous of entering the radio field may be in a position to make whatever advance planning is necessary as soon as possible and so that adequate preparation may be made for future international conferences. In the meantime, the full efforts of the radio industry and the Commission must continue to be devoted to the prosecution of the war." SECTION 17— NEW RADIO SERVICES IV— THEATER TELEVISION "The proposed use of radio for theater television is intended to provide facilities whereby news, sporting events, operas, and other events can be televised and shown to the general public on large-size screens such as are normally used in motion picture theaters. It was claimed at the hearing that the motion picture industry has a definite and legitimate interest in television, since the industry is in the business of producing popular entertainment and presenting news through visual and aural means. It was estimated that over 85 million persons attended motion picture theaters weekly, and that the industry has a gross annual income of approximately $1,600,000,000 (Tr. 3713-3716). "It was stated that the major companies in the motion picture industry have indicated that, at the end of the war, or as soon as wartime requirements permit, they will begin experimentation with the production and exhibition of theater television programs in specific local theaters, and with the transmission of such programs, to theaters in distant cities. Certain experiments were conducted prior to the war which indicated that theater television might be feasible. Large screen theater television on 15' X 18' screens were shown in London during the year 1939, and were subsequently demonstrated experimentally in two theaters in New York City in 1941 on screens 15' X 20'. Further experimentation with theater television was discontinued after the entry of the United States into the war (Tr. 3715). "The witness for theater television was Mr. Paul J. Larsen (Tr. 3711-3755), who appeared on behalf of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers. "The number of channels requested was predicated on the possible demand for service in New York City. It was claimed that there were 42 competitive theatrical agencies in operation; however, it was believed that because of economic factors, only 25 of the 42 agencies could afford to enter the theater television field. For the initial post-war period experiments in theater television, it was recommended that frequency allocation be made for 15 producing or exhibiting agencies in an area such as New York City, each agency to produce and distribute one theater television program to specific local theaters and to relay this program to specific distant theaters. This would require three classes of stations or services, as follows: (1) Intra City Studio Transmitter Station: (a) 1 fixed studio to transmitter channel (point-to-point). (&) 1 clear mobile channel (remote pickup).