Radio daily (Jan-Mar 1938)

Monday, January 24, 1938 3 FCC ECONOMIC REPORT OFFERS COOPERATION (Continued from Page 1) the Commission. Treating on the American system of broadcasting, the report states that there has been found no reason for changing the doctrine of fair competition, both local and national, among individuals as well as among organizations. “In view of the natural technical limitations in the total radio facilities,” the report states, “which can be made available to any community or to the nation as a whole, a faithful adherence to the American system requires the voluntary refraining by licensees, or groups of them, from using their own broadcasting facilities to engage personally in editorial discussions of public questions to their own advantage or solely in accord with their own doctrines or personal beliefs. “One of the greatest advantages of the American system of broadcasting is that it is sufficiently flexible to be capable of improvement, and it is undoubtedly true that in any such new art as radio broadcasting, progress can be made and improvements should continue. However, in accomplishing improvements it should be remembered that the existing radio broadcast system is the product of a new art which like other new industries, has developed in advance of complete understanding of its social significance.” Foreshadowing possible future regulations, the report states that in effecting a preservation of the existing American system of broadcasting it may be necessary to establish standards of public service and to take such steps as are necessary to insure their being complied with. It may be necessary to provide for the rendering of specific services. “The Engineering Department feels that the Commission should assume leadership and cooperate with the industry in interpreting social and economic trends in order that an effective betterment in public service can be accomplished,” it was stated. On the matter of newspaper ownership of radio broadcasting stations, the report states that the “extras” of former days have almost disappeared, that broadcast stations are relied upon to a constantly increasing extent for news and comments upon news, and that they are important customers of news services. The report points out that it is within the realm of possibility that through the development of facsimile, the newspaper of the future will be transmitted by radio into the home. Regarding past charges of monopoly RADIO DAILY NEW PECGEAHS-IEEA/ Program for Shut-ins WFTC, Kinston, N. C., has inaugurated a new series logged as “The Sunshine Club for Shut-ins.” Frank Harden, chief announcer, is in charge, and show features reading of poems with background music by Rainbow Trio and Standard Mixed Choir. Poetic preferences of listeners are aired, with audience asked to send copies of their favorites for reading. Station, in turn, mails out copies of programs heard on previous programs, if requested. Emcee has certain dates for visiting shut-ins. Show is aired thrice-weekly. Peco Gleason at WRTD As Chief of Production ( Continued from Page 1) commentator for NBC and CBS, has joined WRTD as program and production manager. As announcer and rescue worker for WBIG in the 1936 \ tornado, Gleason was cited for carrying out an assignment that kept him awake continuously for 64 hours. in the industry Commissioner Craven states that the record of the Oct. 5 hearings does not reveal any conclusive evidence that any control of patents has been exercised to limit competition in broadcasting. Nor is the Engineering Department aware that any broadcast licensee has been finally adjudged guilty of any act which would disqualify it from holding such license under the terms of the Communications Act of 1934. Newspapers, it was pointed out, own 28 per cent of the total stations licensed, and own 26.67 per cent of the clear channel and high power regional station facilities. Eventually a choice may have to be made between permitting or preventing other media such as the press an opportunity to supplement their older facilities with the newer invention of radio. The report recommends the adoption of a form of financial report which will insure a proper study of the broadcasting profits situation. There is no basis for the fear that such comprehensive financial reports, if required by the Commission, would be necessarily a step in the direction of new rate regulations. An important section of the report is devoted to a study of ways of securing better information and a better system with relative ease on the social and economic aspects of radio broadcasting. Among the recommendations made is the revision of existing forms for renewal of licenses to secure better factual data with reference to revenue, expenses and programs. The Engineering Department has prepared tentative suggestions as to the new forms. Station log forms should be revised to secure better factual data with reference to the character of programs and their sponsorship. "Boos and Bouquets" Sometimes listeners like you. Sometimes they don’t. But whatever is, everyone hears their opinions in a new program over KGV, Missoula, Montana. Show is set in the court of the slightly deaf — and awfully dumb — , with one Judge Teeters presiding. Anne Dunne presents the case of the listeners, while Verne Sawyer plays chief mediator. Announcer Bob Young is the court crier. Both boos and bouquets are aired, as revealed in the fan mail. Detroit's "WJR Presents" Is Now Being Fed to CBS Detroit — “WJR Presents”, long a favorite late night show on the Detroit station, has gone network and shifted to 2:30 Saturday afternoon. Program personnel consists of augmented studio orchestra under Samuel Benavie, a mixed chorus directed by Don Large, Helen Hadley, soprano, the Bavarians, male chorus, and the Three Aces. The announcer comes in only at start, middle and close of show. CBS carries over SPONSORING EDUCATION ADVOCATED BV WITMER West Coast Bureau, RADIO DAILY Los Angeles — Many so-called educational programs now aired on a sustaining basis might profitably be sponsored on a commercial basis, with tremendous attendant good-will accruing to the advertiser, in the opinion of Roy C. Witmer, NBC vicepresident in charge of sales, here on a brief survey of Hollywood activities affecting his department. Such a policy, said Witmer, would permit networks to continue their policy of providing good educational features and the growth of the broadcasting industry on the present American plan of combining education with entertainment. Witmer declared the seasonal bugaboo in time sales has been largely forgotten by national advertisers, who are more inclined to stay on the air throughout the year instead of taking chances on again grabbing preferred time following a lay-off. He also said that radio now gets 10 per cent of every dollar spent for advertising in all media. From here, Witmer goes to San Francisco, accompanied by Syd Dixon, coast sales head, before returning to New York. entire chain. ■Ill lol til OBSEWIFE Four Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty Six Women Say OK CHIEF OF WXYZ SAID, “TEST THIS PROGRAM, AND DON’T PULL PUNCHES” And what a test. Right at the height of Holiday turmoil, November 11th to December 11th, (1937), when women are really busy. Broadcasting time purposely moved from mornings to 1:45 to 2 P.M., Monday through Friday, and no “ballyhoo.” BUT, we did have an attractive free offer to entice mail response. When the Chief said, “don’t pull punches” he meant, test the program the hard way, and report the findings as is. The entire case history is available to any agency or sponsor desiring a really powerful commercial program. WRITE FOR THE FACTS. ANN WORTH, HOUSEWIFE IS READY FOR SPONSORSHIP NOW. KIN6TRENDLE BROADCASTING CORD l\ radio Network WXYZ 'DETROIT blue NetWork I THE PAUL H. RAYMEE CO., Representative — WXYZ— MICHICAN RADIO NETWORK