Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1954)

October 16, 1954 C CBS, NBC to Seek Own UHFs 'Promptly', page 1 Color TV Still in Gradual Evolution, page I More Mountain-Peak Coverage Reports, page 2 Light Action on CPs, 2 VHFs Due Soon, page 3 V 2 New Stations on Air, Another UHF Off, page 4 Transmitter Shipments & Upcoming Stations, page 5 Retail Sales Stay High Despite Price Hikes, page 7 CR Tube Rebuilding — A Phantom Industry, page 7 ARF's 10-Point Criteria for Rating Services, page 11 Stage Set for Senate Hearings on Programs, page 12 in this issue 3 CBS, NBC TO SEEK OWN UHFs TRONPTLY': FCC*s new multiple-ownership rules become ef fective next Friday, Oct. 22 — and the 2 biggest networks say they plan to go after uhf stations of their own right away. Rule raises group ownership limit from 5 to 7 stations, but provides that not more than 5 can be vhf (Vol. 10:38). The change in rules is endorsed by virtually entire industry as potential boost to vihf. All networks are silent on which markets they'll seek — and whether they intend to apply for new stations or buy going ones — but rumors center on such large cities as Boston, St. Louis, San Francisco, Milwaukee and Detroit. CBS says it will act promptly when the new rules are effective. Last month, pres. Frank Stanton said CBS wants stations in secondary markets — 25th to 50th in rank (Vol. 10:36). Network is currently in competitive hearings for vhf grants in St. Louis & Boston, has just sold minority interest in Washington's WTOP-TV and is negotiating to sell its share of WCCO-TV, Minneapolis-St . Paul (see p. 6). NBC will seek uhf stations "immediately," says an official, emphasizing that it wants primary markets — not secondary. The final official decision on which markets they will be has not yet been made, says this spokesman. DuMont "will acquire as much ownership as the law will permit," says managing director Ted Bergmann, but "no specifics have been determined and it will be early next year before any action will be taken in this direction." ABC is "making various studies," according to pres. Robert E. Kintner, "but we have reached no conclusions that are ready for announcement." All networks have been contacted by uhf operators and grantees offering their stations for sale, and by equipment makers — some offering "bargains" in uhf transmitters and associated station gear. Probably first multiple owner to get Commission OK under new rules will be Storer Bcstg. Co., whose petition to purchase uhf KPTV, Portland (as well as vhf WXEL, Cleveland) has been pending since last January (Vol. 10:2). FCC's approval of the purchase is expected quickly, could come as soon as week of Oct. 25. COLOR TV STILL IN GRADUAL EVOLUTION: Conclusions as to future progress of color TV are still premature, but developments to date lend strength to the theory that its growth will be evolutionary, not revolutionary. To those who have experienced the excitement and pleasure of watching color at home for almost a year, as we have, there can be little doubt that the future of TV is color. At the same time, it's abundantly clear that public will continue to regard color as something merely to read about until prices of sets are drastically reduced — perhaps to half the prices now quoted, or less. And the economics and technology of color set production are such that reductions of that magnitude are simply not in sight for the next couple years. COFYUIOKT 1»84 by radio nkws bureau