Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1954)

PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY RADIO NEWS BUREAU ^WYAH BLOG. ^ WASHINGTONS, O.C.* TaEPHONE STERLING 3-1755 • VOL. 10: No. 6 , . JFEB "IS^^February 6, 1954 in this issue: FCC Likely to Finalize 'Two UHF' Rule, page I One CP Issued, 2 Dropped, Zone Changed, page 2 Savannah's First, Tulsa's UHF Testing, page 3 FCC Clicks Well in Getting TV Started, page 3 Giveaway Shows Argued in Supreme Court, page 5 Transmitter Shipments & Upcoming Stations, page 6 Color Trends & Briefs: Ingenious New Converter, page 7 Higher-Priced Sets Are Selling, Too, page 8 rCC LIKELY TO FINALIZE "TWO UHF' RULE: Proposed change in multiple ownership rules, to permit owners of 5 vhf stations to acquire 2 lihf (Vol. 10:4), received the overwhelming support of industry in comments filed with FCC this week. Matter of fact, some urged that uhf would benefit even more if restrictions were further relaxed. These comments leave Sen. Johnson (D-Colo.) the sole objector, except for WSAY, Rochester, inveterate network-baiter. Sen. Johnson says he plans no further comments on proposal and stands on his original statement (Vol. 10:3). One reason for his objections was that he felt FCC had too few facts on which to make the proposal. Presumably, Commission now has more data to back action. All networks gave proposal hearty support, CBS and NBC stating flatly that they would acquire uhf stations if the rule-making goes through. Said CBS; "Insofar as networks are concerned, it is only natural that their economic interests should impel them at the present time to seek vhf affiliates in markets having both vhf and uhf stations. On the other hand, if a network is the licensee of a uhf station in a combination uhf and vhf market its economic interest would impel it to make its own station the network outlet in that city." CBS then went on to urge that owners of 5 vhf be permitted 5 uhf. stating that it is "eager and willing" to operate uhf outlets. "If the Commission permits." NBC stated. "NBC will proceed to acquire, by purchase or by grant, 2 uhf stations in markets where there are presently existing vhf stations. NBC will expend every effort to make these stations successful through use of its network programs, talent, promotion, technical skill and operating knowhow." This would undoubtedly be paralleled by other networks, NBC said. ABC stated it hasn't decided whether it would seek iihf stations, but it supported proposal vigorously. "Even a handful of successful uhf stations in major competitive markets," it said, "would tend to eliminate the doubts that now surround the uhf in the minds of the public, advertisers, broadcasters and manufacturers. If such doubts could be eliminated, the vicious circle of not enough stations — not enough listeners — not enough all-channel receivers — not enough programs — not enough advertisers — not enough stations, etc., would be broken." DuMont said there’s need for final action so that plans can be made with assurance. "Insofar as the proposed rule is intended to aid in the development of uhf stations," it said, "it is fully expected that it will have efficacy." Storer also supported proposal, saying it would obtain uhf station "in a market where its judgment indicates uhf operation ultimately can be successful." Individual stations commenting were KACY, Festus-St. Louis (Ch. 14) and WENS, Pittsburgh (Ch. 16;. Former suggested that single entity be permitted to own majority interest in 5 vhf or uhf stations plus minority interests in 5 iihf. WENS commented: "Even a relatively slight delay in the development of uhf tends to make its eventual development even mere difficult. Conversely, any increased impetus to COPYRIGHT 1054 BY RADIO NEWS BUREAU