NBC Transmitter (Jan-Nov 1942)

15 KPO AND KGO ARE ON THE GO This modern NBC studio structure, recently opened in San Francisco, incorporates many architectural and engineering advances supervised by O. B, Hanson. NBC I icePresident and Chief Engineer. Golden Gate City's network shows originate here. MAY 1942 A Switch in Time, Blackout Sublime # NB('’s role in Midlown Manhattan’s first test hlackout on the night of A|)iil 30 was an unqualified success, according to V. J. Gilcher, director of the network’s general service division. A unit of five electricians had blacked out the office section and all the studio section corridors within a minute or two after the alert sounded at 9 p.ni. Fiinergency switches permitted operation as usual of all microphones, teletypes, telautographs, lights in windowless studios, and other essential equipment. The press, news and international departments continued necessary operations with the aid of dim emergency lights and blackout curtains. Gilcher assigned major portion of the efficiency credit to Chief Electrician Frank Heitmann and his staff, for whom lastminute complications and the necessity for maintaining broadcasting service made blacking-out more than a matter of operating a few switches. He also had high praise for the NBC air raid wardens who came in to man their posts. The following night NBC cut off its famous marquee signs on 49th and 50th Streets for the duration. TOPPERS AND STOPPERS [Continued from page 6) And that’s not all ! The “Cleveland Plain Dealer” Poll gave nine out of eleven top places to NBCRED in its “All-American Personalities Eleven.” And the “Fame”-“Motion Picture Daily” poll gave fourteen “firsts” to NBCRED. It is interesting to note that in this poll, NBC— RED took “three out of three” ( first, second and third places ) in these six classifications: “Champion of Champions,” “Best Comedienne,” “Best Cornedv Team,” “Best Master of Ceremonies,” “Best Variety Program”and “Outstanding New Star.” And NBC— RED took the “top two” in these four classifications: “Best Classical Male Vocalist,” “Best Comedian,” “Best Dramatic Series” and “Best Davtime Serial.” And speaking of consistency, NBC’s Bill Stern has proved an initial success, coming out as “Best Sportscaster” in everv major national poll for three consecutive years ! These NBC toppers are stoppers, indeed! "The Better 'Ole" # Molly Bolger. w4io conducts the daily EEA ( Manchester, New Hamjishire I Home .Makers’ Guild, recently hit a novel note in stimulating audience response. The day after she'd given a mouth-watering build-up to a doughnut recipe, Molly received a letter from a Coast Artilleryman stationed in Massachusetts. It wasn’t a copy of the recipe the soldier wanted— it was a supply of doughnuts! SERVICE WITH A STYLE ( Continued from page 7 I the war was noticeable in two ways: first, a greater volume of public service broadcasts; second, the content has been altered along wartime themes. The programs, in effect, are conditioning listeners to war— and all the sacrifices and trials essential on the part of the public before the days of victory and peace. Every sustaining ]nogram on NBC twice each month conveys a Government announcement related to a vital wartime effort. The announcements, allocated bv the Office of Facts and Figures in a proportion determined by their timeliness and importance, deal with increased production, bond and stamp drives, recruiting and other defense activities. .And the network itself allots a similar schedule to announcements of charity and welfare drives of the .American Red Cross Var Fund, the L SO and other recognized organizations. Public service program to|)ics embrace news, special events, education, general service subjects and a long list of philanthropic, welfare and .Army and Navy programs. In addition to the NBC network shows under these headings, there are a great many local programs of similar classification which each NBC— RED station offers in its own coverage zone. There is nothing perfunctory about the building of the public service programs. Their planning, writing, casting and production are of the highest possible standards—and the high listener rating of the offerings indicated by impartial survevs— definitely proves their acceptance. There are occasional public service programs originating at affiliated stations which are important enough for complete network pickup: the only limitations of such nation-wide relays are due to the local nature of the offerings. The affiliated stations of NBC— RED deserve commendation for their splendid cooperation in aiding the w ar effort through public service programs. It must be remembered that any radio effort can become national oidy through the collective support of individual network affiliates.