Radio annual and television yearbook (1953)

NEW SYMBOL OF PROGRESS AB-PT Moves Swiftly To Build Public Service By ROBERT E. KINTNER. President American Broadcasting Company ANEW competitive force was initiated in the home radio and television broadcasting industry on Februa"ry 9, 1953 when the Federal Communications Commission gave its approval to the merger of the American Broadcasting Company and United Paramount Theatres, Inc., as (being "in the public interest." The merger combined in the newly formed American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, Inc., the 651-theater chain of United Paramount Theatres, Inc., with the then 355radio station and 81 television station networks of the American Broadcasting Company which owned five stations in radio, television and FM. Under the terms of the mergei-, the American Broadcasting Company continues to operate its radio and television networks as a division of the merged company, AB-PT, which maintains its policy of operating its theaters on a decentralized basis through regional operating subsidiary companies. The merger btings together in one company the combined show business "knowhow" of two leading components of the entertainment world — radio and television on the one hand and the motion picture theaters on the other. Less than a month after the merger was consummated, ABC moved rapidly ahead to make good its promise to become a stronger and top competitor in the home broadcasting and telecasting industry. In rapid succession these developments were announced by ABC: Feb. 18: ABC to spend $2,000,000 for superpower video for its five owned television stations Feb. 19: ABC buys two top TV story properties; to star Paul Hartman and Barry Sullivan. Feb. 23: A new concept in radio programming featuring music and news on ABC Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights, with name stars as masters of ceremonies. Feb. 24: ABC eagle on federal mirror adopted as trademark by ABC radio and television networks starting March 1, 1953. Feb. 25: WABC, WABC-FM and WABCTV are the new call letters for ABC in New York, effective March i, 1953. Feb. 27: ABC announces expenditure of $100,000 for all-family film serials on New York television station— WABC-TV. March 2: ABC expands its TV and radio operations into additional top markets of the country; adds 14 new TV affiliates for total video network of 95 and five new radio affiliates bring ABC radio network to 362 stations. March 6: (the date this was written) ABC signs George Jessel to an exclusive longterm contract fot his services in radio and TV as a performer and producer effective June 1, 1953. These are the headlines which tell in graphic and concise fashion the story of ABC's first steps following the merger to become a vital and vigorous competitor. The goal of ABC is to compete more effectively, to render a better and more farreaching service to the public. We plan to achieve this goal through sound, business-like progress and a steady, consistent development and growth. We do not expect magic results over-night. Time alone will tell the full benefits of the merger to the American audience in radio and television through better programming, not alone by ABC but throughout the entire industry as competition rises to higher levels. This year (1953) will mark one of the peak periods of expansion in the history of ABC. Basically this expansion will be on the programming front and is geared to the Fall season. As a milestone in the network's progress, 1953 will take its place alongside the August, 1948-September 1949 period when ABC became the fil-st network to place in operation its five owned television stations. ABC eagerly welcomes the opportunities the merger presents to us for broadening the industry's programming horizons just as I am certain CBS, DuMont, MBS and NBC recognize and will rise to new heights of achievement to meet the challenge of strong new competition. This will rebound to the benefit of the audience, the advertiser and the industry. We are indeed standing on the threshold of an exciting new era in radio and television. 259