Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

NBC Television Plans TRAMMELL. IN STATEMENT TO NETWORK AFFILIATES. ANNOUNCES POLICY TO MAKE NEW SERVICE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC OF ALL THE post-war develop- ments promised by the prog- ress of the art and science of radio, television presents the greatest challeni^e and the greatest opportu- nity, Niles Trammell, President of the National Broadcasting Com- pany, declared in a statement to the 145 NBC-affiliated stations. He then set forth the position of NBC with respect to television, announc- ing that the policy of NBC "'always has been, and will continue to be, to foster and encourage any develop- ments in the broadcasting field which promise better service to the public". NBC will cooperate with the gov- ernment and with other members of the industry in line with its re- search, experimentation and prac- tical operating experience in televi- sion, in the effort to secure the best possible standards of operation for a commercial television broadcast- ing system in the United States, Mr. Trammell declared. "In developing a basis for an eventual television network," he continued, "NBC will cooperate in every way with the owners and operators of the stations affiliated with its network, many of whom have from the very beginning dem- onstrated their willingness and ca- pacity to include in their service the latest technical developments the radio art has brought forth." Points Are Enumerated Enumerating other important points, he added: "In preparation for the expected expansion of television services in the post-war period, NBC will, within the limitations of wartime operations: (a) Expand its existing pro- gram service by tapping new sources of program material and talent, and by develop- ing new program tech- nitjues; (b) Transmit field programs once a month or oftener from points outside the studio; (c) Resume studio broadcasts from the NBC television stu- dio in Radio City, which is now being reconditioned preparatory to the renewal of broadcasting live talent programs; (d) Continue research and de- velopment in all phases of television. NBC TELEVISION PLANNING CROUP, LEFT TO RIGHT. WILLIAM S. HEDGES, VICE PRESIDENT IN CHARGE OF ST.^TIONS; PAUL W. MORENCY, OF WTIC, HARTFORD; NILES TRAMMELL. NBC PRESIDENT, AND O. B. HANSON, VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF ENGINEER OF NBC. "As soon after the war as ma- terials become available, NBC will construct a television station in Washington, D. C, so that a service of sight-and-sound may be avail- able in the nation's capital, and from the nation's capital to other cities when interconnection be- tween stations is made available." To establish the anchor points of a television system, Mr. Trammell explained, NBC has filed additional applications with the Federal Com- munications Commission for con- struction permits for television stations in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, where NBC already main- tains a programming organization and studio facilities. It is hoped that the FCC will act favorably on these applications, Mr. Trammell said, adding: "A nationwide network will not spring up overnight, but must pro- ceed as an orderly, logical develop- ment. Such a development, as we see it, would establish television networks in the following possible ways: 1. An Eastern Network that will extend from Boston to Wash- ington, with stations located at such intervening points as Worcester, Providence, Hart- ford, Schenectady. New York, Philadelphia. Wilmington, and Baltimore, with perhaps an extension to Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo. 2. A Mid-West Network that will develop with Chicago as its hub, spreading out to Mil- waukee, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Des Moines, St. Louis, Indi- anapolis, Detroit and Cleve- land. 3. A Pacific Coast Network util- izing the great talent center of Hollywood, connecting with San Francisco and gradually extending to other important points. "These regional networks will gradually stretch out over wider [6 RADIO AGE]