Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1944)

44 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW December 2, 1944 \ SMPE Submits Television Needs to FCC Motion Picture s Requirements and Recommendations for Facilities Outlined Highlighting the efforts of the motion picture industry to prepare the ground work for participation in the presentation of Television programs is the comprehensive statement submitted to the Federal Communications Commission by Paul J. Larsen on behalf of the SMPE Television Committee. Looking toward the protection of the theatre interests in the matter of projected allocation of frequencies for television broadcasting the SMPE statement was accompanied by specific requests that certain channels be allotted for the industry's use. Mr. Larsen, radio eiigineer associated with John Hopkins University, and member of the SMPE Television Committee, opened his statement with a factual review of the motion picture industry, its role in providing mass entertainment, its investments, personnel and earning capacity. He contrasted estimated annual gross income of $1,600,000,000 for the motion picture industry and its collection of $260,000,000 in amusement taxes payable direct to the U. S. Treasury to the $280,000,000 gross income of the broadcast industry with no forthcoming direct taxes. A further contrast of $300,000,000 estimated state and local taxes provided by the movies as against $20,000,000 paid by radio was shown without including the preponderantly greater amount paid by this industry in Federal corporate and private, income and excess profit taxes. The statement, stressing the position of world leadership attained by this industry, traces the development of visual and aural entertainment leading up to experimental presentations of television on 15 by 20 foot screens in two New York theatres in 1941 with further development halted by the war. Mr. Larsen explained that the industry "has a definite and legitimate interest and stake in television since this industry is in the business of producing popular entertainment and presenting news through visual and aural means. Obviously, television can bring that form of entertainment and news into the theatre." The SMPE spokesman stressed the following: 1. Leadership of the industry in entertaining over one hundred million persons weekly, including our armed forces. 2. Competition between home and theatre television will benefit both phases of the art from the standpoint of engineering and artistic contributions in the improvement of entertainment quality. 3. Availability of extensive organization trained in the gathering and distribution of visual and aural news which can make the most of the television medium. 4. The motion picture industry cannot afford to be unprepared for the application of television to supplement film presentations in the theatres with the possibility that it may at some future date supersede film. 5. Television broadcasters to date have relied upon the motion picture industry for much of '| their entertainment material and are expected to continue to do so. The producers of screen entertainment are alert to the need and are preparing to supply special program material for home needs as well as theatrical television re £ ■quirements. 6. Both home and theatre television are closely linked since both involve producing, distributing and presenting sound motion pictures to the public. One utilizes commercial sponsorship to finance operations while the other charges an admission fee. The similarity justifies the request that allocation of frequencies in the radio spectrum for television transmission be made on a parity basis. Parity not in the sense of mathematical equality but rather on a basis of equality of opportunity for the adequate development of both arts with due consideration for their individual requirements. Recommendaf'ions Based on Needs Mr. Larsen stated the theatrical needs of practical television on a comparable basis of quality with present screen presentations as requiring ; 1. Monochrome Transmission: 20 mc channel widths suitable for 525 to 800 line definition. 2. Monochrome Higher Definition and Color Transmission : 40 mc channel widths for transmission comparable to present 35 millimeter film definition and for 3 color transmission of approximately 750 line definition. These channel widths are recommended for experimental purposes as the final needs must be determined by field tests. 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