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

what he does, what he's like, and then tell you about his country, its people and their customs, dress and geography. "They will know the physical universe around them because they will have seen it. They will have gone into outer space from Mt. Palomar, and into sub-microscopic worlds through the electronic microscope. They will have seen American history sweep across the tube with an impact hitherto undreamed of. "They will know," he continued, "artists and music, as well as current events and how to interpret them in the larger pattern of life today.' TV More Influential than Print Weaver said television must do all this to meet the responsibility "that comes from the stewardship of the greatest mechanism to influence men, mores and sur\-ival, that has ever happened. Yes, a stronger influence than was the discovery of print, the only invention comparable in potential. "The public will look to NBC and its affiliates to sers'e them," he said, "because wc use their air and we will ser\e them well, and nobly." He told the affiliates they "are playing a role given to few men throughout history," adding: "You are a major part of an organization that can prove decisive in letting our people freely and with full information choose their own destiny." Weaver predicted that the public will determine in large part what of the old is to be carried on to the new. "Here," he states, "is where television can perform a revolutionary service. For the first time in a great world crisis, the people can know the alternatives, can be given an understandable pattern of what is happening and why it is happening and what the choices are for them. "Television can clarify the great issues of our times, and be a force for good, a force for broad public action, unique in world history. NBC television, by itself, and I exaggerate only slightly, can be the most important single influence for a better adjusted, more mature, more stable, more enlightened, more peaceful world. And accomplish its mission before this decade is out." Color Television Discussed In a discussion of color television, Joseph V. HefTer- nan, NBC financial vice president, declared that NBC is determined to bring programs in color to the homes of the public. He said that NBC. which pioneered in the development of color TV. believes that it will be the most effective medium yet known to convey information, entertainment and sales appeal. Announcement of the expansion of NBC-TV's broad- cast operations into the morning hours with the addition to the present schedule of 25 program hours a week, was made by Frederic W. Wile, Jr., vice president in charge of Television Production. NBC's plans for maintaining undisputed leadership in television programming through the acquisition of more marquee names were outlined by Robert W. Sarnoff, vice president in charge of Television Unit Productions. In addition to acquiring other established box-office names for NBC-TV, he said, the network will expand its efforts to develop new, young talent as tomor- row's television stars. Advertisers to Spend $30,000,000 Advertisers will spend about $30,000,000 during the next 12 months on NBC's own package programs, Rud- dick C. Lawrence, director of Television Sales Develop- ment, revealed to the broadcasters. He pointed out that two out of every three hours of sponsored NBC time are devoted to shows packaged by the network, accounting for 78<7^ of NBC's advertisers. Lawrence compared NBC's .33'^i hours of sponsored network-controlled pro- grams with the second network's 19. A glimp.se of television's fantastic future was given to conventioners by Robert E. Shelby, director of TV Technical Operations, who announced that the network is constructing a disaster mobile unit—a complete broad- casting and film processing plant entirely independent of external wire connections—which will bring to TV homes on-the-spot views of any great catastrophes the future may bring. /Marvels on Planning Boards Also on the NBC planning boards. Shelby revealed, are such marvels as air-borne TV from helicopters, a flying box-car capable of transporting a small mobile broadcasting unit to the site of any event of public interest, and a remote control camera operated like a robot plane. A film titled "Illusions Unlimited" was shown to the affiliates by Fred Shawn. NBC Director of Television Production Ser\'ices. It outlined the new techniques devised by the network for providing startling and un- usual illusions in TV production. Completing the roster of speakers at the television meeting were Mr. Connell, who spoke of the economics of network television: Edward D. Madden, vice president in charge of TV Operations and Sales, who examined television as an advertising medium; George H. Frey, vice president in charge of TV Sales, and Brig. Gen. E. Lyman Munson. director of TV Operations. RADIO AGE 29