NBC transmitter (Oct-Dec 1944)

12 NBC Transmitter “Y.R.R.” GOES TO SOUTH SEAS NEW YORK.— From the far off New Hebrides came a request for NBC’s script, “Your Radio Reporter.” As a result, our fighting lads in the South Pacific area serviced by the “Mosquito Network.” may soon be hearing the same chatty program that is prepared by the NBC press department for a long list of network stations. The letter from William F. Reilly, Storekeeper Second Class, U. S. N., addressed to John McKay, press department manager— read, in part: “From thousands of miles across the all too expansive Pacific, comes a request from the writer, former assistant to NBC’s night manager in Chicago, for a subscription to ‘Your Radio Reporter.’ Having read the offer in the August Transmitter, I feel as though such information would be of great use here both as a means of ‘plugging’ the network as well as keeping the men and women stationed on this island well informed about their favorite radio stars back home. “At present my plans are to try and W'ork this script into bi-weekly broadcasts over our Mosquito Network outlet here. If this should fail. I wall at least be able to incorporate some of the material into my nightly news broadcast from the island's largest theater." EDITOR’S NOTE— “Your Radio Reporter,” in script form, is available free of charge to all NBC stations for either sustaining or commercial local broadcasting. Sample copies are available by addressing John McKay, Manager. NBC Press Department, RCA Building, New York 20, N. Y. 3 NEW NBC U. SERIES LAUNCHED NEW YORK.— The NBC University of 12th Annual H. P. Davis Award Quest Under Way EOS ANGELES.— Continuing her generous support of the never-ending drive for improved performance in the field of radio announcing, Mrs. H. P. Davis has opened the 12th annual competition for the H. P. Davis National Memorial Announcers’ Awards. The contest closes October 15 and all transcriptions must reach Marjory Stewart. Director, Microphone Playhouse, 715 Park View' South. Los Angeles 5, not later than that date. The contest is open to regular staff announcers of all independent stations affiliated w ith the NBC Network and of NBC owned and operated stations. Stations may submit up to three entrants, using their own system of selection. Entries should consist of one 10-15 minute transcription recorded off the air without the contestant’s knowledge and consisting of at least three types of air work. Each entry must be identified w ith the contestant’s name, station call letters and location, on the label, and accompanied by a recent photograph and brief biography of the contestant, including age. experience and highlight performances. Well-known radio producers, serving as judges, will base their decisions on personality, diction, voice, versatility and maintenance of a consistently high standard in presentation. There will be a national winner and a group winner from each of these station groups: stations operating on a local frequency channel; those on a regional frequency channel; those on a clear frequency channel and stations owned and/or operated by NBC. Two contestants in each of the station groups and the national classification will receive honorable mention. The national winner gets the H. P. Davis Announcer’s Gold Medal and a cash award of $300. Still other awards are signet rings and honorable mention certificates. NBC Televises Fights NEW YORK.— Arrangements have been completed by Promoter Mike Jacobs and .). P. Spang, Jr., president of the Gillette Safety Razor Company, with NBC under which all major boxing bouts at Madison Square Garden and the St. Nicholas Arena will be witnessed by wounded servicemen in Army and Navy hospitals, through the medium of television. the Air is launching three new public service programs during October, “We Came This Way,” “Music in American Cities” and a dramatic series, still untitled. The additions were announced by Sterling Fisher, director of NBC’s U. of the Air. “We Came This Way” started Friday, October 5; it portrays the historical struggles for democracy. T he men and women who championed the rights of the common man will be the subjects of the dramas. Start c .... ing with the Magna Sterling hs her Carta, the series will trace the subsequent victories over oppressors down to the present day. The broadcast w ill be augmented by a handbook, written by Helen Hiett. Morton Wishengrad and Frank Wells will write the scripts. “Music in American Cities" starts on Thursday, October 12. This is the third year in the series “Music of the New' World” presented by the University. It too w ill be accompanied by a handbook, au thored by Gilbert Chase. Chase and Ernest LaPrade jointly prepare the series. As the series unfolds, it will trace the contributions to American music which had their origins in the population centers of North and South America. Some of these cities have held their places for centuries as fountainheads of musical activity, others have sprung into prominence in comparatively recent years. The third of the programs bows in on Saturday. October 14 and will run for 40 weeks. The program will dramatize the great novels of the world. The series w ill present 27 novels in the 40-week period, starting with Cervantes’ “Don Quixote” and continuing down the years to John Dos Passos “U.S.A. ’ Wherever necessary, a novel will take more than one broadcast for presentation. Scripts for the programs are being prepared by Morton Wishengrad, Frank Wells and Herbert Gorman. These new programs of the Fall and Winter follow the conclusion of several outstanding Summer programs of the University of the Air. “The New World Choristers.” “Canadian Music in Wartime,’ “Pursuit of Learning” and “They Call Me Joe” achieved a fine record for music, drama and world affairs forums.