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

TELEVISION JOINS RADIO COVERING ELECTION RETURNS For the First Time, Both Network Services, Operating Simultane- ously, Are to Carry Results of Presidential Contest ply election returns compiled by the Associated Press, United Press, and International News Sei-vice. Iti addition to the announcement of election returns, lioth radio and television networks will carry on- the-spot features from major party headquarters in New York and Washington, local color pick-ups at the homes of the presidential and vice presidential candidates, inter- views with the national chairmen of the major parties and coverage of other points of interest, includ- ing the surging crowds. To provide the maximum amount of air time for the election coverage, commercial program schedules are being adjusted in cooperation with sponsors who, in events of similar importance, have been eager to as- sist in this public service. It is expected that the election features will start at 8 p.m. EST., with both networks remaining on the air until the outcome of the election is cer- tain. As a final offering, NBC commentators will pool their obser- vations in a special round-table dis- cussion program after the returns are in and victory has been con- ceded. Headquarters for NBC's cover- age will center in studio 8H, Radio City, the world's largest broadcast- ing studio. Following in general. By William F. Brooks Vice President in Charge of News and International Relations National Broadcasting Company WHEN millions of Americans go to the polls next month to choose the 33rd president of the United States, it will mark the first time that the National Broadcast- ing Company has broadcast and telecast simultaneously over net- works the up-to-the-minute bulle- tins of election returns and summa- tions of balloting trends. An augmented staff of over 300, comprising announcers, commenta- tors, rewrite men, tabulators, edi- tors, engineers, cameramen and technicians will be assembled to handle the heavy volume of election news that will be pouring into the NBC newsroom over a battery of teletypes. These machines will sup- scene IN studio 8h on election NIGHT IN 1!M1. ACTIVITIKS IN THE SAME STUDIO WILL BE INTENSIFIED THIS YEAR BY THE I'KESENCE OF SEVERAL TELEVISIO.N CAMKRAS. the layout which proved so success- ful in 1944, the studio will be transformed into a special news center. At the rear of the stage a huge election chart showing the latest assembled returns will be erected. Directly below the chart, will be a battery of news tickers, a control desk, copy table, tabula- tors, monitoring tables, and press desks. On an elevated dais, facing the entire setup, will be the radio com- mentators' table. H. V. Kalten- born and Robert Trout will act as chief commentators for the radio operation. The television section, from which cameras will play upon the giant election chart as well as the proceedings on the floor of the studio, will occupy the other side of the huge auditorium. Ben Grauer and John Cameron Swayzee will act as chief commentators for the television network. Television stations linked with WNBT, New York, in the NBC network will be, WPTZ, Philadel- phia; WTVR, Richmond; WNBW, Washington; WRGB, Schenectady; WBAL, Baltimore; and WBZ, Bos- ton. Midwestern television audi- ences will witness special election coverage over NBC's newly formed midwestern television network. LEADING COMMENTATORS AND NEWS- CASTERS WILL BE TELEVISED AS THEY ANALYZE THE VOTING TREND ON THE NIGHT OF NOVEMBER 2. [RADIO AGE 13