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Statement on Theater Television
This statement was prepared by the Theater Television Committee of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers, under the chairmanship of Donald E. Hyndman, and was filed with the Secretary of the Commissian on August 29, 1949.
THIS STATEMENT is in reply fco a letter from the Federal Communications Commission dated June 29, 1949, concerning the allocation of frequencies for theater television. In its letter and in Public Notice 37951, dated July 1, 1949, the Commission asked that the Society of Motion Picture Engineers answer six questions relating to a nation-wide theater television service.
The Society's answers presented here are intended to demonstrate the importance to the American public of such a service and are based on four prime considerations.
Point 1 — The motion picture industry in years past has provided ready communications with the peoples of the United States through the medium of film. During times of emergency, this medium has been exploited for purposes of public morale and governmental information essential to our national welfare and economy. A nation-wide theater television system will be able to render a similar service of even greater effectiveness because of its instantaneous nature.
Point 2 — Theater television as a service to the public in general is not restricted to any particular group and presents numerous educational as well as entertainment possibilities. Events of outstanding historical importance or of great social significance may be viewed in schools, public auditoriums, and theaters at the moment they occur. Thus its appeal to the public, and the likely size of the resultant audience, are such that the people of the United States as a whole will be the beneficiaries of any thoughtfully established, well-maintained, and ably administered theater television service.
Point 3 — Theater television is as important as any other entertainment medium and should receive the same study, sanction, and support by the government as any comparable entertainment enterprise.
Point 4 — Theater television deserves the opportunity for development and expansion which is the right accorded any new industry! 354 OCTOBER, 1949 JOURNAL OF THE SMPE VOLUME 53