Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1954)

4 to his WTTV, Bloomington, Ind. In fact, he’s now building 25-kw uhf transmitter, will apply for a station shortly. Many big vhf operators feel uhf satellites aren't worth the trouble — that possible gain in coverage isn't worth the price. At least one prominent law firm, with quite a few major vhf clients (no uhf) is advising them all to steer clear. Network overlap is another matter deterring many, particularly the big vhfs. In a lot of areas, it's difficult to find sizeable communities not already covered with network programs from other stations. Some uhf operators like the idea. One newspaper-owned outlet, for example, is considering satellite in town about 50 mi. away, well served by the paper but out of station's range. Then, of course, there are hard-pressed uhf operators who visualize profitable deal with big vhf neighbor — and there are uhf owners who see a good opportunity to sell stations instead of simply folding. Most of the questions are economic. In the minds of many operators, cost of repeaters is simply too great under FCC's policy. If rules were changed to permit construction of outlets costing |5-25,000, there 'd be plenty of takers. And if FCC permitted unattended operation, that would sweeten potential even more. Of course, unattended operation of a TV transmitter is not yet technically feasible. * * * * Meanwhile, nearest thing to a satellite was granted by FCC this week when KFBC-TV, Cheyenne, Wyo. , was given CP for Ch. 10 in Scottsbluff, Neb. Application was filed before new policy was announced, and station does propose local film originations in addition to repeating KFBC-TV 's programs. Plant cost is estimated at S67 , 000, operation $48,000 first year. It will have 12.3-kw ERP, 117-ft. antenna. Plans call for merely 4 staff members. Population is only 12,858, and there are no big cities nearby. Operation will be well worth watching as bellwether. SCOTTSBLUFF CP & WICHITA INITIAL DEHSION: FCC granted Ch. 10 for new station this week to smallest town yet to get one — Scottsbluff, Neb. (pop. 12, 858) , where Cheyenne publisher-broadcaster principals (Tracy McCraken) propose to operate it as a near-satellite to Cheyenne's KFBC-TV, about 79 mi. to southwest (see story above). It was the only new-station action in week which also brought one important initial decision by examiner. A Ch. 11 grant in Ft. Worth is now in sight, with Ft. Worth TV Co. withdraw ing, leaving KFJZ free for CP. Also in the clear is WGMS for Ch. 20 in Washington, after dismissal of WEAM, Arlington, Va. Another drop-out — though hearing remains competitive — is dismissal by KROW, Ch. 2, San Francisco. * * * * Examiner Hugh B. Hutchison chose Wichita TV Corp. Inc, for Ch. 3 over KFH and KANS there on grounds of local residence of principals, civic activities, integration of ownership-management , staff with greater experience in TV, superior program proposals, more "realistically planned studios", and diversification of ownership. Wichita has 126 shareholders, no radio or newspaper interests. Rejected KFH is owned by Marcellus Murdock family's Wichita Eagle, KANS 73*^% owned by O.L. Taylor, who also owns KRGV-TV, Weslaco (Ch. 5). Hutchison also held that Taylor was disqualified because of inadequate funds. In allocations actions this week, FCC added Ch. 79 to Toledo , substituted Ch. 70 for Ch. 15 in Port Chicago, Cal, and Ch. 35 for Ch. 28 in Salinas-Monterey. It also received petition from KANGTV, Waco, Tex. (Ch. 34), asking that Ch. 66 be substituted for Ch. 10 in Waco. Station claims that KCEN-TV, Temple (Ch. 6) is a Waco station "for all practical purposes" and that it can't hope to compete with 2 vhfs, though it could survive with only one serving the area. SENILE CELLULOIDS'-IS TINE RUNNING OUT? " Old pictures never die, their audience slowly fades away. " Even in an industry that loves its bon mots, there's a note of foreboding in this apparently scornful observation by NBC president Pat Weaver on TV's use of old theatrical feature films. He says they're losing their pull, and they were dubbed "senile celluloids" in a rather significant interview with Hollywood Variety's Jack Heilman in Los Angeles this week.