Radio annual and television yearbook (1949)

TELEVISION HIGHLIGHTS— 1948 (From the Files of RADIO DAILY) JAMJARY 3 — Full page ads in 37 newspapers in 18 television cities announced NBC's plan to create a coast-to-coast television network, centering around three "regional" webs, one of which is currently in existence. The same ad predicts the employment of a quarter-million people in tele manufacturing and broadcasting "within a few years." 7 — Expansion of Television in its first "boom year" gets off to a strong start during this, the initial year of 1948, with six new stations expected to begin operations before the end of January to add to the 16 now in commercial operation. 12 — After a lull of a few months, the television "bandwagon" speeded up at the weekend, with eleven more applicants climbing aboard — the largest group in a long time. Not since the rush, following the end of the war, have television applications poured into the FCC at such rapid rate. 21 — In a move designed to carry out a tentative agreement between the United States and Canada, the FCC yesterday proposed changes in Television allocations in the areas close to the Canadian border. 23 — Extensive plans for television coverage of the Republican and Democratic national conventions in Philadelphia next spring — video's most ambitious undertaking to date — are rapidly taking shape and expected to be in smooth operating shape well in advance of the first call to order. 27 — The rapidly expanding television industry is a potential major market for films, and their use will be "unlimited" in the commercial and programming phases of the medium, broadcasters, agency execs and film reps were told yesterday at the video conference at the Hotel Commodore. FEBRUARY 2 — ABC announced Friday accelerated plans for television operation in five cities before the end of this year, including the establishment of three preliminary regional chains which will form the nucleus of a later nation-wide network. 11 — Television's sweeping development toward maturity in all phases in recent months has set the stage for what appears to be a hotlycontested race among the major transcription firms to enter video on a large scale by spring or late summer. 16 — London — An experimental theater television service to six cinema palaces in the London area will be put into operation sometime this year, according to plans by the J. Arthur Rank Organization through its subsidiary, Cinema Television, Ltd. 24 — The FCC has announced the temporary assignment of three high-frequency bands for television pickups, studio transmitter links and intercity video relay, at the same time refusing again to recognize a specific need for bands for theater tele. 27 — Television rights will be an important stipulation of the 1948 Fair Practices Code now being set up between the Entertainment Managers Association and the American Guild of Variety Artists, it was disclosed yesterday. MARCH 10 — Major networks' campaign to line up affiliates for their prospective video webs during the current year moves into high gear this month with both NBC and CBS holding confabs to mull future problems and agreements. 11— Official opening of WBAL-TV, Baltimore, today marks the first use of NBC's new temporary relay link between Philadelphia and that city, thus making it the first network with access to independent relay facilities between New York and Schenectady, Baltimore and Philadelphia. 15 — Entire question as to whether or not television broadcasters may legally prohibit the use of their programs on movie screens will be explored by an organized group of independent theater owners Wednesday, and a test case to force the issue may be made to resolve the problem. 19 — Television got the green light to use live music for the first time in history yesterday as the major networks and the American Federation of Musicians reached a "complete settlement" on all issues which have been in negotiation since last December. 1107