Yearbook of radio and television (1955)

Communications Growth Reflected By Increase of FCC Applications n n D n D n For Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1954 George C. McConnaughey Chairman CPOTLIGHTING the 20th anniversary ^year of the Federal Communications Commission is the fact that the Nation is now studded with and served by more than 700,000 radio transmitters; 50 different nonbroadcast services; and 11 categories of broadcast station authorizations nearing the 6,000 mark. Program service was being rendered by two types of aural stations plus an expanded video service to which compatible color had been added. Statistically, broadcasting authorizations totaled 5,838 at the end of fiscal 1954, which was a net gain of 408 for the year. Broadcast applications received during the year totaled 8,200, which was 1,220 more than the previous year. For television there was a net increase of slightly more than 100 broadcast station authorizations during the year as compared to the banner number of nearly 400 in fiscal 1953, which was the first year following the lifting of the temporary freeze. The result was that, as of the end of the fiscal year 1954, the Commission had granted construction permits to 603 TV broadcast stations. Of this number, 573 were for commercial operation and 402 such stations were on the air or authorized to go on the air. The total grants represented 340 VHF and 233 UHF stations, of which 265 VHF and 137 UHF stations had operating authorizations. They were bringing TV service to a vast audience over most of the United States and in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. D n D By the end of the fiscal year, all noncompetitive applications which were in a position to be granted had been so acted upon by the Commission. Consequently, of the 200 still-pending commercial applications, 186 were in hearing status. Action on TV applications was, in large measure, speeded by continued study and adjustment of the Commission's temporary processing procedure. As adopted in April of 1952, it set up a priority system based upon the availability of TV service. After many grants had been made, the Commission felt that emphasis should be placed on local outlets rather than upon availability of outside service. Accordingly, on July 14, 1953, it gave primary consideration to cities which had no local TV stations. a D D The new rules for color do not specify a minimum number of hours during which TV stations must transmit color programs. However, the number of colorcasts has been increasing as more stations install color equipment and the telephone company extends its color relay facilities to additional cities and stations. Most of the color receivers produced initially had the equivalent of a 15-inch picture tube. But larger tubes are in production, and indications are that as more color sets become available there will be a resultant reduction in cost to the public. During the year the Commission granted 142 additional AM authorizations, making a total of 2,697 such authorizations at its close. Most of the new AM assignments were to the smaller communities without local stations. D D D The year closed with 569 commercial FM authorizations outstanding. Authorizations were issued for 22 new stations while 54 authorizations were deleted, leaving a net loss for the year of 32 stations. At the close of the fiscal year the number of construction permits granted for noncommercial educational TV operation had increased to 30, of which 14 were VHF and 16 UHF. Six educational TV stations were operating — three in VHF and three in UHF. While several shifts of educational reservations were made upon petition, and after rulemaking, the Commission continued to frown upon any effort to transfer educational channels to commercial use. 23