Television digest with electronics reports (Jan-Dec 1954)

2 Lebanon, N.H. (68 mi.) 900 uv/m ; Montreal (80 mi.) 500 uv/m. It has had reports of good pictures from as far away as Manchester, N.H., 124 mi., and Northfield, Mass., 130 mi. "But what has delighted us most," says v.p.-gen. mgr. Stuart T. Martin, "is the way we're getting down into the valleys without the slightest indication of shadows in our market." WMVT's power is 18.3-kw ERP. BRICKER STAFF STARTING OUT QUIETLY: No fireworks can be expected from first phase of Senate investigation of TV-radio networks and vhf-uhf problems, despite suspicion in industry that it's designed to be a "witch hunt" ( Vol. 10 ;35-36) . Quiet study at staff level is immediate outlook as Senate Commerce Committee officially confirmed that ex-FCC asst. gen. counsel Harry Plotkin will be "minority counsel" for probe directed by ex-FCC Comr. Robert F. Jones and "coordinated" by Committee's communications counsel Nick Zapple. Plotkin takes leave from Arnold, Fortas & Porter as of Sept. 20, goes on payroll at $11,646 a year — same pay as Jones and Zapple. Investigation is Sen. Bricker's baby from start to finish, though nominally under aegis of full Committee. Staffers await his return to Capitol to outline the course he expects it to follow. Meanwhile, both Senator's and Committee's staffs make it clear that all publicity will be shunned during initial phases of study, all requests for information to be funneled to Sen. Bricker's office and/or to clerk of the full Committee. Much of the initial study will be non-controversial — laying ground rules, researching network affiliation practices, looking into broadcasting. One of Sen. Bricker's reputed aims is inquiry into alleged "editorializing" by network commentators. But he has said no public hearings will be held lintil the Senate reconvenes in Jan. — and of course whole probe could die then if GOP loses control of Senate. But there's nothing to prevent him from holding hearings as oneman committee any time he chooses. His subpoena powers can be used by staff investigators to get information. Funds for the preliminary study come from the $90,000 left in Committee's till earmarked for investigations. FGC CRACKING DOWN ON VHF LAGGARDS: Commission got tough with 3 vhf CP holders this ^eek — denying them more time to build unless they come up with good explanations. Another vhf turned in CP Sept. 10 — ■ KTLV, Rapid City, S.D. (Ch. 7), whose ownership interlocks with WMIN-TV, St. Paul, and KELO-TV, Sioux Falls, S.D. Grantee simply told Commission it had decided not to build, presumably for economic reasons. One uhf grant was issued this week — to John L. Booth, Michigan broadcaster, for Ch. 50 to WJLB, Detroit. And an initial decision came from examiner Basil Cooper, preferring KARM over KFRE for Ch. 12 in Fresno, Cal, because KFRE has permitted "excessive commercialism" and he felt grant to KARM would enhance competition. CP holders on carpet are KHTV, Hibbing, Minn. (Ch. 10), KLYN-TV, Amarillo , Tex. (Ch. 7) and educational WIHS-TV, Miami, Fla. (Ch. 2). Commission told them it couldn't find that they'd done anything towards construction, indicated they'd have to come up with good excuses or lose permits. It's first time educational grantee received such brisk handling by Commission. Only Comr. Hennock dissented. Examiner Cooper's decision is novel in some respects. He held that KFRE (Paul Bartlett, 57% owner) and KARM (Hattie Harm 50%, Clyde Coombs 50%) were about equal in all factors except "commercialization." He noted: "Station KFRE, operating with 50-kw power, sells time to Fresno merchants but the local merchant's advertising contract is subject to cancellation or renegotiation in the event a regional or national advertiser wishes to use the time and pay therefor at the higher rate. While it may be, as contended by Mr. Bartlett, that the local merchant is not interested in advertising beyond the trade area of Fresno, the fact remains that the high dollar of the national advertiser determines whether the Fresno merchant does or does not remain on the station." Cooper also stated that KFRE has carried up to 7-8 spots in 15-min. program in 1950. This was no "act born of desperation," Cooper said, because KFRE grossed $497,456 and netted $144,508 before taxes that year. Competitive situation in Fresno would be improved. Cooper held, if 5-kw KARM got "the only maximum power Fresno vhf TV station" to pit it against the "giants" — naming McClatchy with its newspaper & TV-radio stations and the 50-kw KFRE.