Radio today (Sept 1935-Dec 1936)

OCT 22 1936 ©C1B 320210 tl' Staff— Darrell Bartee Randall R. Irwin M. H. Newton B. V. Spinetta V. K. Ulrich Lee Robinson Sales Manager RADIO TODAY Orestes H. Caldwell Editor M. Clements Publisher i/ Copyright \9\ Caldwell-Clements, Inc. 480 Lexington Ave. New York, N. Y. Tel. PLaza 3-1340 Vol. II, No. 10 RETAIL RADIO SALES SOAR * Reports on retail radio selling from all parts of the country indicate that radio is running with the general trend of the recovery — in places ahead of it. Increases in radio volume average from 20 to 25 per cent in excess of a year ago. Employment, star programs, ball games, and general prosperity seem to be held generally accountable for increased radio sales. But the Presidential Election has had less traceable effect than was expected. Unless campaign gets hotter later, political listening remains pretty casual. Hence dealers reason that present selling pace can be counted on to continue after November 3 ; that public will go on buying radios no matter who's elected. With retail sales thus holding up, look's like an 8,000,000-set year. SETS WITH WHISKERS * Among other singular items which turned up in the "Allocation Survey" made by the Federal Communications Commission was the fact that 61 per cent of the receivers in use in rural areas are 4 years old or older. Figures are based upon 32,671 replies made by rural folk between Feb. 1, 1935, and March 1, 1935 ; data was released by FCC only last month. 26.1% are 7 yrs. old or older. 21.6% are 2 yrs. old. 13.8% are 3 yrs. old. 12.7% are 6 yrs. old. 12.1% are 4 yrs. old. 10.1% are 5 yrs. old. 3.6% are 1 yr. old. Receivers purchased during 1935 did not show up much because the survey ended early in that year. Buried in the report was the sentence, "Analysis of the number of tubes used by each receiver, which indicated that 69.9 per cent had from 5 to 7 tubes," NATIONAL TRADE SHOWS AT CHICAGO IN SPRING * For the past month, trade gossip has been active concerning plans for national radio parts shows, in the Spring and Fall, held respectively in Chicago and the East. Institute of Radio Service Men has announced its convention and show at Hotel Sherman, Chicago, April 2-4. Definite arrangements for an RMA Chicago trade show, probably next May or June, have now been made and also its sponsorship by the Institute of Radio Engineers. "Sponsorship by the Institute of Radio Service Men was also under consideration but the joint committees of the RMA, IRE and IRSM were unable to develop any workable plan for inclusion of the Institute of Radio Service Men," explains President Muter, RMA. "The National Parts Show next May or June will be organized to secure maximum attendance of distributors, dealers, factory representatives and service men, the latter including members of all service organizations," continues Mr. Muter. "The major objective of the show will be reduction of expense for exhibiting manufacturers and to reduce obligations to exhibit in the many parts shows which have been held throughout the country." Fred Williams, treasurer of RMA, Arthur Moss, chairman of the RMA Parts Section, and Bond Geddes, executive vice-president, took a leading part in shaping up plans for the new trade show. WAGE-EARNERS' RADIO BUYING POWER NOW ABOVE '29 * Purchasing power of average weekly earnings in the manufacturing industries, is now greater than it was even in 1929, according to analyses by National Industrial Conference Board, charted below. Although wages in dollars have not yet reached '29 levels, present earnings have a purchasing power, at present lower cost-of-living, even greater than at the peak of Coolidge prosperity. Which means more surplus cash to ouy radios! 1929 '30 '31 '33 '34 '35 '36 October, 1936