Television digest and FM reports (Sept-Dec 1945)

TSLEVISIOH HDTISS: captive balloon will be tried out as antenna when Crosley’s experimental TV station W8XCT, shut down for duration, resumes test telecasts after Sept. 1 from studio atop Cincinnati's 47-story Carew Tower. . .Henry Luce, headman of Time-Life-Fortune, has shown great personal interest latterly in television, his eyes reportedly glued to the sight-sound set in his Connecticut home. His j participation in television would likely be tv/ofold: 1) Through his holdings in j American Broadcasting Co, ; 2) Through a separate production enterprise under | banner of his publications or of March of time... CBS Television is organizing a film ' department to shoot newsreel footage on regular basis. . .Prospects appear slim for I immediate activity in theater television either here or abroad. It is authoritatively forecast that it will take up to five years to perfect a serviceable theater projector capable of at least 1,000-line definition. REQUIEM FOR FM3I? Cool tone of FMBI President Walter Damm's letter of reply to retiring NAB President Harold Ryan, rejecting Invitation to merge into NAB, doesn't mean plan is out the window. Pressure for merger is great, especially from networks and AM members paying dues to both trade associations. But FMBI's 167 membership (at $300 per year) includes radio set manufacturers, newspapers and others not now in AM or FM broadcasting. They can't see joining forces as yet. Others, too, recalling NAB's early cold shoulder toward FM, aren't too happy about affiliation unless assured NAB will work strongly for FM. Argument in favor is that one trade association can best do the over-all industry job, that HAB with its §800,000 budget is better heeled for it than FMBI with about §50,000. Against is argument that FM still needs promotion, needs own champion in Washington, can't rely on too hearty support from NAB's dominant AiA membership. Meanwhile, Myles Loucks, FMBI managing director, has submitted resignation subject to board's decision; and board was increased from 9 to 15 members, includi)^ ' now Wayne Coy as'v.p. succeeding Ted Streibert, WOR-WBATi. Coy is Eugene Meyers' | right-hand man and radio executive of Washington Post (WINX) which seeks FCC authority to purchase Jansky & Bailey's experimental FM station W3X0 for §75,000. Merger project, at any rate, is some months away, certainly not until well after Justin Miller and Jess Willard take over at NAB next m.onth. CEimS PRICES: Due at this writing are long-awaited OPA price adjustments for components manufacturers. Under consideration at week's end were 1941 price increase factors of about 10% for tubes, somewhat less for major groups of components, for sale to set makers; no 1941 price increase for tubes and other components for sale to retail outlets. WHISPERS AHD SHADOWS: What David V/ark Griffith once referred to as "the v/edding of the whispers and the shadows" — radio and the movies — has now been consummated in a prideful progeny; Television. He is a lusty youngster, now in the stage of grov/ing pains but bursting ’with health and energy. V/hat he v/ill show to his parents — what he will accomplish in the realms of broadcasting, motion pictures, advertising, merchandising — we'll soon see. That his parents must perforce keep up with him; that the radio companies, big and little, are aware of the fact; that major movie firms like Paramount, MetroGo Idwyn-Mayer, 20th Cen.tury-Fox, are eyeing him cautiously if not benevolently — is evident. They all know they cannot afford to become fat and smug — and complacent in the new world of entertainment, education and trade v;hich he v/ill command. To Television and its concomitant FM, this new service is dedicated.