Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1954)

6 hasn't yet compiled formal list, it already has received plenty of inquiries from stations, and from some manufacturers. Definitely due to testify are FCC, RETMA, the networks, UHF Assn., and several individual telecasters. * * # * Another uhf station has suspended operation, and one which was temporarily silent has gone back on air, losing only 2 days. Leaving air was KACY, Festus-St. Louis (Ch. 14) ; resuming operation was KETX, Tyler. Tex. (Ch. 19), KACY asked FCC permission to leave air April 2 for 120 days while it seeks at least $350,000 in additional capital. One of 4 stations in St. Louis area (1 vhf, 3 uhf), its attorneys told Commission it had lost more than $250,000 since Sept. 1953, that stockholders have advanced $120,000, and added; "Our client's faith in uhf TV remains vinshaken by the tremendous losses it has absorbed, and in good faith it believes that in a relatively short time it can make necessary arrangements for additional capital." Station has filed suit against CBS and WTVI, Belleville-St . Louis (Ch. 54), for $2,533,000 triple damages under anti-trust laws. It charged "conspiracy" between network and station prevented it from getting any CBS programs not carried by St. Louis' vhf KSD-TV, and said this resulted in operating loss of $244,300 instead of $100,000 profit and reduced value of its plant from $650,000 to $150,000. KETX, Tyler, Tex, wired FCC this week that it had returned to air March 27, just 2 days after it went silent (Vol. 10:14). Owner Jacob A. Newborn Jr., who has taken over operation of station with staff reduced from 20 to 8, tells us: "I put it on in the black on March 27 and it has been that way ever since." Tyler newspaper this week reported 3 local creditors had instituted involuntary bankruptcy proceedings against KETX and group of former employes was also contemplating action. Meanwhile, FCC this week approved transfer of Newborn's 25% ownership in another Texas station — Beaumont's KBMT (Ch. 31), due on air this week end — along with 25% held by oilman Jack S. Josey, to station's other 2 owners for $5000 total. Five new stations with newspapers identified in their ownership can be added to those listed on pp. 39-41 of TV Factbook No. 18 — and there are applications pending for transfers of 50% of WHYN-TV & WHYN, Springfield-Holyoke, to employe pension fund of Springfield News and Union, and 100% of KLZ-TV & KLZ, Denver, to Time Inc. About to be filed are transfers of WTVH-TV, Peoria, to Peoria Journal-Star, and KGBS-TV & KGBS, San Antonio, to San Antonio Express and News. The 5 that can now be added to the Factbook list, with their AM and newspaper affiliations: WDSM-TV (WDSM), 61% owned by Bidder brothers, publishers of Duluth Herald and News Tribune and St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press', WJPB-TV (WWW), Fairmont, W. Va. same ownership as Mannington (W. Va.) Times, weekly; KFBBTV (KFBB), Great Falls, Mont., 30.5% owned by Fairmont Corp., publisher of Butte Montana Standard, Billings Gazette, Helena Independent-Record, Livingston Enterprise, Missoula Missoulian; KFBC-TV (KFBC), 47.66% owned by same interests (Tracy McCracken) publishing Cheyenne Wyoming Eagle and Wyoming State Tribune, Laramie Republican-Boomerang and Bulletin, Rawlins Times, Rock Springs Rocket, Worland Northern Wyoming News; WKAQ-TV (WKAQ), San Juan (P. R.) El Mundo. Threatened nationwide strike against all TV & radio networks was averted April 6 when AFL Radio & TV Directors Guild announced “conditional ratification” of new contract ceiling for average 10% pay boost for some 600 directors, associate directors, floor managers and program assistants in New York City. Signing of contract. Guild said, is dependent on settlement of local problems between union and some independent stations throughout country. Power increases: WDTV, Pittsburgh (Ch. 2) this week boosted ERP to 100-kw by adding new 6-bay antenna. Raising money for charities and political parties via subscription TV was visualized by Zenith publicist Millard Faught in address to convention of National Small Business Men’s Assn, in Washington, April 6. He repeated his thesis that sponsored TV and fee TV can live side-byside; that pay-as-you-look will double number of stations, etc. Sen. Schoeppel (R-Kan.), member of communications subcommittee, was so impressed that he had 3-page speech reprinted in April 7 Congressional Record “notwithstanding the cost,” which, he said, was $233.75. In New York this week, Skiatron stockholders approved agreement giving rights to its developments to Matty Fox (Vol. 10:13). The 99-year contract, Skiatron pres. Arthur Levey said, is good “so long as any Skiatron patents have any validity.” Skiatron counsel James Landis said he’s confident FCC will approve subscription TV. “Piracy” of baseball games through their “re-creation” on TV is planned by McLendons’ upcoming KELP-TV, El Paso and KLIF-TV, Dallas, according to protest filed with FCC this week by N. Y. Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers. Teams argue that Commission erred in March 4 decision renewing licensee of KELP, now ask that KELP be ordered to cease and desist from future “recreations” or be set for hearing. Protest says that TV presentations planned by Gordon McLendon would use “a large board with a baseball diamond drawn on it and figures of players placed at appropriate positions.” Bill to exempt from FCC regulation some point-topoint carriers not interstate in nature (HR-6436) was passed by Senate April 6 and sent to White House. Senate passed over 2 other communications bills on calendar wnthout taking action — S-1396, Sen. Johnson’s bill to curb telecasting and broadcasting of pro baseball games, and S-2314 to prohibit transmission of gambling information.