Sponsor (Oct-Dec 1964)

Record Details:

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Metromedia Makes Mutual Offer; Says Sale Not Yet Consummated New York — "We have made them an offer. They are acting on it. Nothing has been signed." That was the sole comment of a spokesman for Metromedia, Inc., in response to a report that the company was about to purchase the Mutual Broadcasting System from the parent Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. For its part, MBS said the report was "possibly true," emphasizing that the offer "wasn't solicited." Irritated at "premature disclosure" of the negotiations by a New York newspaper, a spokesman for Mutual pointed out that Bert Cross, 3M president, is currenty in Tokyo, adding that he won't be back until Thanksgiving and cer FCC Okays Largest Single Station Sale Washington, D.C. — The FCC last week approved transfer of WIIC-TV Pittsburgh, Pa., to the Cox Broadcasting interests, for $20.5 million, the highest price yet paid for a single broadcast station. The big buy brings to 13 the number of Cox stations. Commissioners Bartley and Ken, neth Cox dissented from a grant without hearing, on the grounds that the new owners would constitute absentee ownership and conscentration of media would be intensified. The Cox corporate interest controls tv, radio and newspaper holdings in each of two cities, while the WIIC-TV owners own similar media interest only in one city, Pittsburgh, with one additional newspaper in Toledo. Also, former owners of WIIC, Inc., the H. Kenneth Brennen family, and publishers of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette et al, are local residents, the dissenting commissioners pointed out, with an extensive background of involvement in local and civic affairs, ^ut the new ownership is by a broadcasting corporation publicly traded, with all but one of its corporate officers residing in Atlanta, Ga. About 53 percent of the stock is held by hree members of the Cox family. Vone resides in the Pittsburgh area md none indicates any intentions to )articipate actively in the Pittsburgh tations. tainly the deal couldn't be closed until after he returns. Spokesmen for both sides were chary about money, although indications are that the price-tag for the nearly 500-station radio network might run to more than $2 million. 3M originally purchased MBS for about $1 million. Metromedia currently owns six radio stations and six tv outlets. Flagship is WNEW New York. NBC Enterprises Report $1.8 Million in Sales New York — NBC Enterprises has racked up more than $1.8 million in sales from Oct. 14 to Nov. 13, according to George A. Graham, Jr., vice president of the division. Both the international and domestic operations were accounted for in the 30 day sales picture. Properties sold ranged the complete gamut of NBC product, including the Tokyo Summer Olympics, Bonanza, and Laramie, Lee's Fatherly Advice on Improving Commercials Wahingfon — FCC commissioner Robert E. Lee gave broadcasters some "fatherly" advice on improving tv commercials, during the NAB's final fall conference at Richmond, last week. He also told the delegates he would urge the FCC to assume immediate jurisdiction over both wired and on-air CATV systems, and begin rulemaking "very soon." (See story on page 13.) Lee told broadcasters that although he had been highly critical of commercials, and had instigated the now defunct FCC rulemaking to set commercial limits, he also had praise for good commercials. "I'm a fair guy — I look at them two ways." By way of proof, he presented a lively half hour film of AFA's best selections for 1964. For those interested in an informal recall test, Lee told Sponsor's Washington reporter last week he remembered commercials for Chevrolet, Scrudders' Potato chips, Crackerjack, Breck shampoo, Goodyear tires, BOAC's film on England, one on a visit to Spain, and a "very fine" public service film to encourage reading. Also, Lee said he personally saw nothing wrong with a beer commercial showing a brawny hand squashing a beer can, but understood there were some raised eyebrows among NAB code persormel over this one. Lee reminded broadcasters that with increasing scarcity of new AM openings under FCC's tightened requirements, the old ones are getting competitive applications at renewal time. Lee said he did not "admire too much" the idea of a newcomer trying to "get on top" of someone else's license, but 14 such applications show the trend is getting stronger. A weak spot for attack by such applicants could be over commercialism. Tipton Named Chairman Of TvB Board of Directors New York — Jack K. Tipton, manager and director of sales, KLZ-TV Denver, is the new chairman of TvB's board of directors, succeeding C. George Henderson, vice president and general manager, WFOC-TV Charlotte, N.C., who will remain on the executive committee in an ex-officio capacity. Also elected at the 10th annual TvB meeting in New York last week was Don L. Chapin, vice president and director of sales, Taft Broadcasting Co., Cincinnati, who succeeds Tipton as secretary of the board. Frank Headley, chairman of H-R Television, was reelected treasurer. Named as directors were Tipton; Chapin; Lawrence M. Carino, general manager, WJBK-TV Detroit; A. James Ebel, vice president and general manager, KOLN-TV, Lincoln, Neb., Mary L. McKenna, vice president of research and sales development, Metromedia, New York, and George Whitney, vice president and general manager, KFMB-TV, San Diego, Calif. The board was told that a record number of 258 registered TvB members attended last week's meeting. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE November 23, 1964