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

services will continue to grow and to supplement each other. There- fore, during the years of transition, it seems to me, there will be ample opportunity for broadcasters oper- ating AM and FM receivers to do a substantial volume of business and to render a vitally necessary public service. Local Television I should like to say a few words about local television before enter- ing into a discussion of national service. Television programming can be started by local stations in a small way with a minimum of facilities and expanded as receiving sets and commercial sponsors in- crease. In the meantime, until na- tion-wide networks are available, film of live shows and newsreels can be flown to stations throughout the country to add to their program variety. Like the many independent local broadcasting stations which are successful and profitable, television stations also can thrive upon local talent and community service. There is no end to local program possibilities, for the small town is a natural television stage. People like to see their friends and neigh- bors on the screen. I can foresee many uses for television in relig- ious and educational activities. Television can be a great aid to good government in city, town and county by making citizens better acquainted with their local leaders and their work. Effective Means of Advertising Local merchants will find televi- sion an effective means of advertis- ing. Dramatic groups, county fairs and community sports events will enlarge their audiences. Often a local baseball or football game or a prizefight is as interesting to a community as a professional sports event in a distant city. Civic and fraternal organizations and wom- en's clubs also are sources of pro- grams for local television stations. You can imagine the interest that would be shown in a local com- munity if, for example, one or more department stores were the scene of a shopping hour in the morning or afternoon. The television cam- "many well-known radio artists will adapt themselves to tele- vision AS SUCCESSFULLY AS THE ARTISTS OF THE SILENT SCREEN ADAPTED THEMSELVES TO THE TALKIES." era would show the merchandise and the shopper at home could see what each store had to offer before she left home for her marketing. I should think that this would be an interesting experiment in advertis- ing. Network Television Automatic relay stations, either alone or in combination with the coaxial cable, show great promise for speeding extension of television program service throughout the nation. Eadio relay stations are now in operation between a number of cities, and others are being erected. Eventually these micro- wave channels will reach out fur- ther to connect additional commu- nities in television network service, especially cities not reached by co- axial cables. Doubtless you have heard about the experiments being conducted from time to time with coaxial cables and radio relays which can carry not only television, but ordi- nary speech, telegraphy at high speeds, and of course FM and tele- vision programs. Because these new cables and relays can handle several services simultaneously, they will be completed, I believe, sooner than we expect. I should not be surprised, if it is possible to have a television coast-to-coast net- work within the next few years. In considering home television, we must recognize that good pro- grams are the master key to public acceptance of the art. Television's popularity, as well as its speed of advance, will be governed by the caliber of the shows. That is the important responsibility of the broadcaster. The success of televi- sion and the popularity of the video station will depend upon it. Problem of Talent The telecaster will, of course, have the problem of talent. He cannot depend solely upon the radio, motion pictures, and other estab- lished sources of entertainment for his performers. Television is a new art form that calls for new tech- niques and for the development and encouragement of new talent to supplement present radio entertain- ers. Many well-known radio artists will adapt themselves to television as successfully as the artists of the silent screen adapted themselves to the talkies. News and sports already have proved natural drawing features for television. Films also will play [4 RADIO AGE]