Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1954)

6 Proposal to require uhf stations to start with at least 5-kw transmitters (Vol. 10:8-11,15) drew scant and unfavorable response as FCC’s deadline for comments on its proposed rule-making passed April 16 — and it now appears virtually certain to be dropped or drastically modified. RCA, biggest maker of uhf transmitters, objected to Commission’s “arbitrary” minimum on transmitter power, arguing that 1-kw transmitter and high-gain antenna can give 15-20 kw ERP and render good service in many communities. It urged FCC to consider such factors as antenna power, contour of antenna pattern, size of community, etc. Extra cost of higher power transmitters might discourage smaller communities from having their own TV service, RCA added. Joint Committee on Educational TV said: (1) Antenna height is more important than transmitter power for uhf. (2) 1-kw transmitter is adequate for many small or medium sized cities where terrain is reasonably flat. (3) Proposal would increase construction and operating costs, perhaps prevent some groups from entering TV. WCOS-TV, Columbia, S. C. (Ch. 25) said its 1-kw transmitter is giving “highly satisfactory local coverage to 40 mi. or more” and surveys have shown “audience is determined by the popularity of the program presented, not whether is it vhf or uhf, and without regard to the transmitter power.” It pointed out it would get same coverage with 5-kw transmitter and an antenna 300-ft. above average terrain as it now gets with its 1-kw at 650-ft. Uhf’s principal problems were said to be “economic, not technical.” Grantees and applicants continue to ask FCC to substitute vhf channels for uhf and low channels for high channels in their home territories. KFAZ, Monroe, La. (Ch. 43) this week petitioned Commission to substitute Ch. 13 for 43, so it can “compete effectively” with KNOETV (Ch. 8). Even though it was first on air, KFAZ stated it had been able to get only a “bonus” affiliation with one network “which costs KFAZ a considerable amount of money each month,” and has found it “virtually impossible to get national advertising.” Sunbury Broadcasting Co. asked substitution of Ch. 38 for 74 in Sunbury, Pa., 74 for 38 in Lewistown, addition of 65 to Shamokin. It said it will apply for Ch. 38 if switch is made, stated lower channel offers better chance of success. Successful pre-freeze TV operators who control and operate WSAZ-TV, Huntington, W. Va. (Ch. 3), with WSAZ, this week bought out WGKV, Charleston, W. Va. (250 watts on 1490 kc, NBC) and thereby obtained new headquarters for own TV-radio sales & studio staff in state’s capitol. Purchase price is $75,000, with WGKV pres. R. M. Venable planning to retire to Florida and 32% stockholder Willard H. Irwin Jr. to devote himself to his accountant’s practice and to his 20% interest in CP for WJOL-TV, Joliet, 111. (Ch. 48). Station staff remains unchanged. Buyers are all identified with Huntington Publishing Co. (Herald-Dispatch and Advertiser) which owns 89% of WSAZ Inc., with Mrs. Eugene Katz, wife of the rep, o-wning 11%. In purchase of Charleston AM station, these are stockholders: Col. J. H. Long, pres, of Huntington Publishing Co., 5%; Wm. D. Birke, v.p., 25%; Edward H. Long, 15%; Robert Long, 15%; Lawrence H. Rogers, mgr. of WSAZ-TV, 20%; Leroy Kilpatrick, chief engineer, 10%; Eugene Katz, 10%. “Re-creation” of baseball games won’t be undertaken this year, FCC was advised by stations KLIF, Dallas, and KELP, El Paso (Vol. 10:15). They said plans were called off because complaints filed by Yankee, Dodgers & Cardinals produced too many delays. General Teleradio Corp. pres.-chairman Thomas F. O’Neill, of the parent General Tire & Rubber Co. ruling family, caustically denies reports Mutual Broadcasting System may soon be sold — replying to hints by both Broadcasting and Variety that Texas oil millionaire H. L. Hunt (Facts Forum), a supporter of Sen. McCarthy, is prospective purchaser. Variety recalls Mutual’s considerable “trimming” and reshuffling of executives, notes that veteran production v.p. Jules Seebach left April 12 on “a 4-week vacation” and even goes so far as to say all this has been done “to make the operation a more attractive purchase for a potential buyer like Hunt.” MBS commentator Fulton Lewis Jr., denying published report he’s Hunt’s confidante and advisor on broadcast affairs, says “there’s not an iota of truth” in the reports so far as he’s concerned. Another observer said he doubted very much Hunt’s willingness to sink own money into any such enterprise, noting that he has a fetish for making everything pay for itself. Nobody has discussed any such sale with any member of FCC, careful inquiry indicates; it’s customary, when any major deal is contemplated, to go over it first with FCC chairman or key member — and that hasn’t been done. Trade newsmen, smelling “something cooking” at MBS, led O’Neil some weeks ago to scotch rumors of bad times there by asserting the network never had it so good, with 1953 gross time sales of $23,000,000, up 10% from 1952 (Vol. 10:11). Fact is that PIB figures show it continuing in Jan.-Feb. of this year slightly ahead of same 1953 months (Vol. 10:14). O’Neil’s April 14 denial read: “Since our acquisition and control of Mutual and General Teleradio, we have never discussed sale of any part of these 2 corporations with any one at any time. The latest unfounded rumor of sale to H. L. Hunt is the most fantastic I’ve heard of yet and should be consigned to the oblivion it so richly deserves.” Chronicle Publishing Co., San Francisco (KRON-TV) becomes 97%% owner (instead of 49% as now) of KBAKTV & KBAK, Bakersfield, Cal. (Ch. 29), formerly known as KAFY-TV, in transfer deal filed with FCC this week. It acquires the 375 shares of stock held by attorney John P. Hearne for $30,000 and 350 shares from Charles Thieriot for $37,501. Thieriot, gen. mgr. of KRON-TV, retains 1%%; Harold P. See, KRON-TV station mgr., 1%. Founder Sheldon Anderson last Dec. sold his 8.3% interest to Thieriot. Deal includes agreement that if radio KBAK is sold, Theriot and Hearne, jointly or individually get first refusal rights. FCC approved Rollins Broadcasting Co. piu’chase of WAMS, Wilmington, Del. (1-kw on 1380 kc, MBS) for $5000 plus assumption of $10,914 liabilities, at same time authorizing stock changes whereby 0. Wayne Rollins owns 50% and John W. Rollins 45% in parent firm, which also holds CP for WHRN (Ch. 40) in Dover, Del., owns AMs WJWL, Georgetown, Del.; WNJR, Newark, N. J.; WRAD, Radford, Va.; WRAP, Norfolk, Va. Rollins have proposed to give up daytime WRAP in Norfolk (1050 kc) and buy out WCAV there (1-kw on 850 kc), continuing the WRAP call letters and specializing in Negro programs. Subscription TV tests with Zenith system are planned by WOR-TV, New York, which filed letter with FCC asking special temporary authority to air scrambled signal before regular programming for 90 days starting May 15. All of signal would be telecast, differing from Zenith’s own tests in Chicago several years ago when it employed phone company lines. Station says purpose is to try highpowered transmission; Chicago tests used 1-kw transmitter. WOR-TV previously has tested Skiatron’s codedcard method. “World’s smallest” commercial radio will be marketed by Emerson; it measures 3%x3x%-in., weighs 7%-oz.