Television digest with electronics reports (Jan-Dec 1956)

6 Fee PANEL feature of NARTB convention, always a lively session, was spirited again this week. Each commissioner was assigned question to answer, though others chimed in with own ideas. Here’s the topic-by-topic rundown: (1) Community antenna systems. Comr. Doerfer said it’s still uncertain whether they’re broadcasting or common carrier, and he warned: “If broadcasters insist that they should be protected from competition, I can see serious inroads into the jealous perogatives of broadcasting. This is pregnant with serious possibilities regarding free competition for your industry.” (2) Economic factors in new CPs. Comr. Mack stated: “I think we can determine that factor with cer tain limitations. But if you get into this economic factor, you get into the regulatory thing. You may get a little more regulation than you want.” (3) TV-radio codes. Chairman McConnaughey said: “You’ve done a great job. People are becoming alert.” (4) Antenna heights. Comr. Lee noted that expanding airports, use of jets, etc. may make hazards of antennas which weren’t dangerous when built. Regarding state regulation of antenna heights, he said FCC has complete authority but that agreements have always been negotiated with states having such regulation. (5) Program classification in renewal forms. Comr. Webster said “a new look may be warranted” and other commissioners urged broadcasters to elaborate on public service features of sponsored programs — Comr. Bartley saying “you’re missing a great opportunity when you don’t spread it on.” (6) Faster reports on station revenues-expenses. Comr. Hyde said it’s up to stations themselves, noting that reports were due April 1 but 500 are still to come. (7) Changes in Communications Act. Comr. Doerfer urged repeal of protest section, called sending of McFarland letters waste of time, said Commission should be allowed to consult with general counsel. Broadcast Bureau and examiners. (8) Editorializing. McConnaughey stated: “You’ve been lax in exercising your rights and responsibilities.” Comr. Webster said: “I’ve been disappointed by lack of editorializing.” (9) Illegal boosters. Comr. Doerfer pointed out that matter is in the courts, that FCC must therefore withhold comment. (10) Dates for future vhf decisions. McConnaughey said Commission will be caught up on backlog by Jan. 1, 1957 but that dates for specific communities are impossible to predict. New station for Richmond, Va. — third in area — began test patterns April 16. WRVA-TV (Ch. 12) is scheduled to begin programming April 29 as CBS basic, starting 7 a.m.-midnight schedule following day. Other area outlets are pre-freeze WTVR (Ch. 6), now ABC, and WXEX-TV (Ch. 8), NBC affiliate, which began last August. WRVA-TV has 50-kw DuMont transmitter, uses interim 6-bay superturnstile antenna on 460-ft. tower of WRVB(FM), pending erection of 790-ft. Truscon tower to be topped by RCA 12-bay superturnstile. WRVA-TV principals are Larus & Bro. Inc., tobacco firm which also operates radio WRVA & WRVB and Norfolk’s WRVC(FM), which holds 60% interest, and Neighborhood Theatres Inc. (Thalheimer) , 14.32%. C. T. Lucy is pres., representing Larus; Barron Howard, from WRVA, v.p.-gen. mgr.; James D. Clark Jr., sales mgr.; Samuel S. Carey, from WRVA, program director; Bill Hall, ex-CBS, production mgr.; Sanford Terry Jr., also WRVA, chief engineer. Base hour is $650. Rep is Harrington, Righter & Parsons. RCA shipped 6-kw transmitter April 19 to upcoming WRGP-TV, Chattanooga (Ch. 3) due late this month; 10-kw transmitter April 12 to upcoming KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi (Ch. 6), due in May; 10-kw transmitter April 6 to upcoming WDAM-TV, Hattiesburg, Miss. (Ch. 9), due in June; 3-section superturnstile antenna April 13 to upcoming WESH-TV, Daytona Beach (Ch. 2), involved in litigation (Vol. 12:14); 50-kw transmitter April 9 to KGUL-TV, Galveston (Ch. 11) ; 25-kw transmitter to KSBW-TV, Salinas-Monterey (Ch. 8) ; 12-section superturnstile antenna April 13 to KELO-TV, Sioux Falls, S. D. (Ch. 11). DuMont reports order for 5-kw transmitter from WYES, New Orleans (Ch. 8, educational), expected to go on air in about 60 days. WCBC-TV, Anderson, Ind. (Ch. 61) hopes to be on the air by Sept. 1, reports program director Charles Bates, for owner Great Commission Schools Inc. (Church of God denomination), which operates local school system and Anderson College & Theological Seminary. Last week it asked for shift to Ch. 26 (Vol. 12:15). Rep not chosen. ■ All Voice of Democracy winners in states & territories will be brought to Washington next Feb., instead of only the 4 national winners as in past. United TV Inc., buying KEYD-TV, Minneapolis-St. Paul (Ch. 9) & KEYD for $1,140,000 plus assumption of RCA equipment debts totaling $315,452 (Vol. 12:14), is selling radio KEYD, it’s disclosed in application filed this week with FCC. Buying independent KEYD (5-kw, 1440 kc) for $35,000 are equal owners Robert M. Purcell, who has been mgr. of KEYD-TV & KEYD, and Washington attorney James A. McKenna Jr. Combined balance sheet for stations dated Feb. 29, 1956 shows they had net loss of $70,172 in first 2 months of year, bringing deficit to $838,056 as of Feb. 29. They had $196,510 in current assets ($86,364 accounts receivable) vs. $198,221 current liabilities, out of $858,509 total. KBES-TV, Medford, Ore. (Ch. 5) is acquiring CP for KFJI-TV, Klamath Falls, Ore. (Ch. 2), paying owner W. L. Miller $30,000 for out-of-pocket expenses, according to application filed this week with FCC. Miller, selling because of ill health, recently filed for permission to sell KWIN, Ashland, Ore. to Douglas Kahle for $50,000 (Vol. 12:12), but plans to keep KFJI. KBES-TV principal stockholder is Wm. B. Smullin, with 50%; he also is sole owner of KIEM-TV & KIEM, Eureka, Cal., owns 50% of KPIC, Roseburg, Ore., satellite of KVAL-TV, Eugene. Plough drug firm is paying $597,710 for WCAO, Baltimore CBS affiliate and $457,500 for WCOP, Boston independent (Vol. 12:13), according to applications filed this week with FCC. WCAO price is subject to adjustment for accounts receivable ($52,691 at time of sale) and following WCAO assets were not included: $112,477 in cash; $239,258, investments; $3304, accrued interest and dividends; $1184, organization expense. Also not included was $55,293 in liabilities as of Dec. 31, 1955. Profits of KLAS-TV, Las Vegas (Ch. 8) were $79,437 in 1955, $8273 in 1954, station disclosed in application for modification filed with FCC this week. It estimates profits will run about $3000 monthly for next 6 months. Current assets as of Feb. 29 were $108,287, fixed assets $233,461. Current liabilities were $29,415, fixed liabilities $145,446. Total net worth was $171,285. DuMont Electronicam div. has moved to Adelphi Studio, 152 W. 54th St., N. Y., consolidating administrative, sales and production operations under one roof. Station rep Richard O’Connell moves to 527 Madison Ave., N.Y. (Plaza 5-9140).