NBC Transmitter (Jan-Nov 1945)

January 1945 3 NEW RADIO HORIZONS NBC Executives Review Eventful Year and Look Towards Postwar Period of Great Industry Expansion By NILES TRAMMELL NBC President In 1944, for the first time, American armed forces crossed the Atlantic and landed on the European continent when it was held and defended by a powerful enemy. To realize the historical greatness of this achievement it must he remembered that neither Napoleon nor Hitler at their strongest, dared cross the English Channel. And, in the midst of global war, the people of the Lhiited States conducted a free national election -after conventions Trammell and campaigns in which free speech suffered no restraints— and re-elected their wartime President. The invasion and the election gave American broadcasting the greatest opportunity and responsibility in its 24-year history. American broadcasters met the test. They were prepared. Their reporters shared danger and hardship w ith fighting men, on land and sea and in the air. In the political campaigns, their facilities presented the candidates and the issues to the total national audience. Fairness to all parties was scrupulously observed. While invasion and election news transcended all else in drama and significance, the broadcasters’ calendar w-as full to overflowing with other program material in 1944. News of the war, both in Europe and the Pacific, dominated the air Avaves. Scarcely less important were programs and services in support of the w'ar effort on the home front. Religion, music, drama, sports events and entertainment reached large and responsive radio audiences, comprising both civilians and men and women in uniform, at home and abroad. It should be kept in mind that all services of broadcasting are made possible by American advertisers. Thev gave generously in 1944 to war effort announcements and projects during their own commercial program time. And. under the Ameri NBC's Nighttime Lead NEW YORK. — In 1077 cities throughout the Lnited States. NBC network stations lead their closest competitor in nighttime “most” listening by 128 per cent according to the first report from the 1944 Nationwide Survey of Listening Habits released January 10. J’he report was made public at a luncheon meeting held at the RitzCarlton Hotel, at which Niles Trammell, NBC president; Roy C. Witmer. vice-president in charge of sales; Charles Hammond, director of advertising and promotion, and James H. Nelson, network sales j)romotion matiager, were speakers. Attending the session were leading executives of advertising agencies, program sponsors, representatives of the press and the NBC stations planning and advisory committee. An overall analysis of the survey shows that in the 1077 cities having more than 10,000 population 57 per cent of the radio families listen most to NBC, after 6 p.m., local time. These 1077 cities account for 16,000,000 radio families, equivalent to 56 per cent of the nation's total. can system of broadcasting, the revenue derived from sponsored programs enabled the stations and networks to present thousands of non-commercial programs of their own, devoted to public service. Tribute also should be paid to the many radio artists who traveled in person all over the globe, and carried messages of cheer to the fighting fronts. We face the sunrise of another year with the sober realization that a hard road still lies ahead. That it is a road to victory we have no doubt. That the year 1945 may bring the goal of Avorld peace into plain sight is our deepest desire. May Ave at home prove equal to every task and sacrifice, and Avorthy of the heroes who have laid doAAm their lives that Ave might live to help build a better w'orld. By FRANK E. .Ml LLEN As we enter fourth vear of <> of graver responsibilities, greater Frank E. Mullen NB(i Vice-I’rcsident and (ieiicral Manager the new jear. and the lobal war, we are aware opj)or tunities for service, and more poignant hopes for victory and jAeace than Ave have eAer known before. We A\ho are engaged in radio Jr broadcasting have * T n o k e e n e r N e A\ Year’s Avish than that we shall this year — the earlier the better — broadcast to the Avide Av o r 1 (1 the n e w s of Germany’s unconditional surrender. Only that new's can be expected to equal in dramatic intensity the events of D-Day. Although the crucial dates of history supply broadcasting Avith opportunities for spectacular service, America’s stations and netAvorks are mobilized 24 hours a day, 365 days in the year. As our hopes of peace groAv brighter, until the hour comes Avhen they culminate in the blaze of victory, Ave cannot afford to let the Avelcome light blind us to the continuing tasks and problems ahead. It is in the days of peace to come that the jjreservation of our traditional social and economic freedom Avill call for unity of purpose and cooperation of effort as never before. Labor, industry and agriculture must pull together in one direction, for each of these three great sources of economic strength can })rosper jointly Avilh the other tAvo but never at their expense. American broadcasters Avill value the privilege of helping make postA\ar America a new land of opportunity in a Avartorn Avorld. The neAV services of FM and television Avill provide new lifetime careers for many thousands. W’e Avho are engaged in the art, science and industry of radio look fonvard to the day Avhen by means of television we shall see as Avell as hear our neighbors all over the earth, of every race, language and creed, united in peace and good Avill.