Sponsor (1964)

RCA j recently introduced vapor-cooled klystron UHF transmitter is demonstrated by Tom Mullowney (I), of the broadcast and communications products division, and Anita Eurbank of Northwestern University The 250-pound tube slides out onto a speciallydesigned carriage that revolves to permit a fresh tube to be placed into position \t the recent convention ol the National Community television \ssn., an unexpected development was the encouragement given to cable system owners to enter the broadcast field. Speaker after speaker suggested that CATS owners applv for UHF licenses in communi ties presently without local video service. High pxtint was the speech bv I ( ( commissioner Frederick I ord He noted that. contrarv to the considerable stress that lias been placed i'n the limitation or containment oi I \i\ to allow, lull development of ! HI. a possible alignment of the IWO to aid all-channel operations ma) be feasible. "Let me pose to you what verj '-veil ma\ be a solution to one ol the basic problems we face ol giving urban areas the choice of service with DO loss oi service to rural areas." he said. "How man) of yOU,*1 the commissioner asked rhetorically, "would establish I HI stations and c.m\ them on your ( \l\ systems, if the commission rules permitted it?" Commissioner lord pointed to the possible modification of I ■( ( rules and a liberalization of the number of U Stations permitted oikowner Such revision could result in the "immediate construction ol hundreds of I HF stations." he declared. Special f(( committee. To further delve into l HFs problems and their possible solutions, the FCC, in 1963, authorized the formation of an indu committee known as ih, ( ommJtM ( l"i the I nil I k velopment "i Ml ( hannel Broadcasting M mbership includes representatives ol the three majoi networks, .n\ agencies, the EIA, N \l' wisi engineers, etc I he committee is di \ ided into three groups a subcom mittee concerned with equipment and technical rules, a second look ing into station operations and program availability, the last one concerned with consumer information Dm ing the anticipated life ol the committee (tWO \ears from incep don), it will continue to conduct meetings and make recommenda nous to the commission I rom a strictl) dollars-.ind-i.vm~ Standpoint, I HF outlets have never been healthier I he latest I ( ( |i nancial report, issued m late I1' stated that "l HI stations as a group reported the highest revenues in their history,*1 despite the fact that there were main more I HI stations on the air in earlier years In 1962, B3 I HI station ported total revenues ot $34 4 mil lion, or an average per Station ol about (415,000 (In 1954, with 125 I HI stations reporting a to tal ol $25.4 million, the avei per station was $203, I his was onlv the second year m which UHF stations as a group showed a profit $900,000 ($300,000 in I960). I he report notes that 57 percent Ol I stations reported profitable operations, but no station reported profits Ol more than $300,000 I his contrasts with the previous war when onlv 40 percent ot I HI outlets reported profits But the tact remains that caution is the bvword m the industr) Sponsors and potential I Hi operators are closel) watching the newer I s as more and more all-channel receivers enter homes Industrv sources estimate that perhaps I 20 new I HF millets will open during the next irs I his is not a substantial total in view o\ the manv frequency allocations still available Hut it d represent a 15' it impr. merit over the present numb l HI stations, l i yeai medium lirst be.' n ♦ August 10 1964