Radio daily (Oct-Dec 1949)

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Section of RADIO DAILY, Thursday. November 3. 1949 — TELEVISION DAILY is fully protected by register and copyright COLOR-TEST DIFFICULTIES CITED TELE TOPICS COMPETITION, we are told almost daily, is the magical substance that turns the wheels of industry. In TV. everyone has espoused the principle of a nationwide, competitive allocation plan. Competition between agencies, networks, stations, performers is as keen in tele as it is in any other business in the country. With these thoughts in mind, we turned the dial at random Tuesday nite to see what was being offered in way of competition to Milton Berle, who presides over the highest rated show on the air. What we found may explain, in part, why Berle's Hooper remains in the stratosphere '73.7 on the last report) while the next rated show (Arthur Godfrey, 39.8) is so far be low. It seems that there is absolutely nothing on the air in New York between 8 and 9 on Tuesdays that stands a chance of attracting a sizeable segment of the audience. Our random tuning uncovered an old cowboy film on WPIX; a film on European DP's on WATV; boxing from Westchester on WOR-TV; film of a week old football game on WJZ-TV; pickup from the six-day bike race on WCBS-TV, and "Court of Current Issues" on WABD. Latter is perhaps the finest discussion show on the air, but its appeal is limited. It's been said many times that Berle's antics are begininng to wear. This may or may not be true, but the best way to find out is to put on a good show at the same time. Only hitch is that no one seems willing to stand up and swap punches. • CITY AT MIDNIGHT," dramatic show aired as a remote from the streets of Manhattan, which drew raves following its debut last week, went into a nosedive in its second installment. Except for a few lighting bugs, production this week was much smoother than the preem, but. the script, about a bop musician working in a 52nd street club, was banal and boring, while the acting, especially by the lead players, was amateurish. We still think the idea behind the show is sound, but the producers will need more than pictures of wet streets to turn it into entertainment. . . . Bond Stores have taken a new tack in men's clothing advertising. Their new spots plug the advantages of the chain, rather than show individual models, with great effect. Cayton is the agency. • ELGIN-AMERICAN is shelling out a cool $150,000 for time, talent and merchandising on its special hour and a half Thanksgiving Day show. . . . Jack LaRuc will be regular narrator on "Lights Out," which returns to NBC Monday, 9 p.m., with Admiral picking up the tab. . . . Recommended reading: the report on commercials in the new issue of Ross Reports. It's the most complete job yet done on the subject. RCA Points To Different Studio Requirements Of Various Systems; RMA Asks 3 Extra Days; DuM. Wants Comparison By All In February Washington Bureau of RADIO DAILY Washington — Possibility of a delay in the comparative demonstrations of rival TV systems slated for Nov. 14 was seen here yesterday as two of the three participants pointed to serious problems. The third, CBS, was expected to insist upon going through with the showings. While DuMont asked outright for cancellation, RCA threw a block in the path of the demonstrations as it notified the Commission that because of technical difficulties, "we could not be ready by the week of Nov. 14 if other parties also work in the same studio room. We propose that each party operate separately." Planning for the comparative testing has been with the idea that the same scenes would be aired by CBS, RCA and DuMont, presumably from the same studio. Dr. George H. Brown, for RCA, maintained however that different lighting methods are required for the different systems and said other technical considerations would also make it impossible to put on the entire threeway demonstration from the NBC studios at Wardman Park Hotel. Dr. Brown said "we do not believe that this imposes handicaps on the comparative tests . . . much of the suggested program material, such as test patterns, slides, film, maps, pictures, fabrics and commercial products may be duplicated. Thus identical objects may be used before the cameras and also made available at the receiver location for comparison with the pictures produced on the various receivers. "Other of the suggested program material, such as wrestling and groups of people, can be transmitted in sequence by the parties partici pating in the demonstration, or the content of these programs can be specified and each party can broadcast simultaneously its own version of the program item." At no time in its letter did RCA ask for delay in the comparative demonstrations. DuMont, however, asked for the abandonment of the Nov. 14 demonstrations, with the full-scale comparison of the three color systems and DuMont black and white slated for Feb. 6 to stand as the only scheduled comparative showing. DuMont referred also to the fact that CTI cannot participate in demonstrations this month, and concluded that intelligent comparison of the various systems will not be possible on the basis of demonstrations this month. RMA yesterday asked for a delay of at least three days, because of its own committee meetings at the midyear conference of RMA in New York Nov. 14-16. DuMont said that "what is left would be a scattered and inadequate demonstration of the optimum merits of the Columbia and DuMont systems, and an expensive and unconvincing repitition of the comparative demonstrations upon which the Commission acted more than two years ago." Best bet, said DuMont, would be to hold off until all parties can participate in February, when it will be possible "to program adequate tests, fair to each of the proponents, and fully related to existing black and white television without limitation of equipment or reasonable cause for complaint by any of the parties as to the fullness of the opportunity for hearings." Profit Motive Not Paramount Among TV Mfrs. — Goldsmith Washington Bureau of RADIO DAILY Washington — Commissioner Robert F. Jones of the FCC hurled the charge yesterday that the interest of radio manufacturers in the development of color video "is in inverse ratio to their profits from black and white." DuMont's research director, Dr. T. T. Goldsmith, promptly took issue with him, declaring that industry research in color has been expanding during the same period when black and white has been beginning to pay. As Dr. Allan B. DuMont awaited his turn to appear. Goldsmith was kept busy all day turning aside barbed questions from the Commissioners. He stuck to his pitch for immediate lifting of the freeze on TV, with a later decision on standards for color, although he said that were he on the FCC he would like to lift the freeze and set color standards at the same time, if it could be done. But color "is not ready at this time" he said "and the public is clamoring for more television service." ABC To Syndicate 'Crusade In Europe' "Crusade In Europe," 26-week film series based on the book by Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, will be syndicated by ABC to affiliates for local sponsorship beginning the second week in January. Series recently completed a cycle on the web under sponsorship of Time, Inc. Programs Re-Edited Programs have been re-edited to provide for insertion of local commercials, Murray Grabhorn, ABC veepee said. Main reason for the local release, he added, is the increased audience since the series began on the web on May 5. Many new stations have gone on the air since then and rate of receiver sales has increased sharply, he added. Series was produced by the March of Time through arrangements with 20th Century-Fox, from which ABC obtained exclusive video rights. Commissioners Attend WAAM Anniversary Show Baltimore — FCC Commissioners George Sterling, Edward Webster and Frieda Hennock and general counsel Benedict C o 1 1 o n e were guests of WAAM Tuesday as the station celebrated its first anniversary. Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro, of Baltimore, also was present. History of the station and excerpts of several locally produced shows were included in a special program. "WAAM Birthday Party," produced and directed by Anthony Farrar. CBS Names Wood, Fates To New Program Posts CBS producer Barry Wood has been named production supervisor of the web's musical shows, effective immediately, it was announced yesterday. He will coordinate musical programming and will be responsible for budget and production administration of all music show s. At the same time, the web announced the promotion of producer Gil Fates to the new post of supervising producer of daytime programs. WNBK Sells Wrestling Cleveland — Duquesne Brewing Co. has signed with WNBK for sponsorship of weekly wrestling pickups from Cleveland Arena for 22 weeks. Monday night matches will be described by Bob Shelley.