Television digest with electronics reports (Jan-Dec 1957)

8 Multiple ownership got an airing at FCC Jan. 11 — with no conclusions — but may be brought up again in about a month. Probably most significant development was fact that Roscoe Barrow’s network study group came up with recommendation that rules be tightened, if anything, but that status quo really should be maintained until group completes its work. Barrow told Commission that network-station relationships and multiple ownership are closely interwoven — the multiple owners getting better break on affiliations, rates, film buying, etc. — thus should be considered as a whole. Commissioners tossed their philosophies around, but no clear trend emerged. Comr. Lee submitted for discussion a formula based roughly on population, didn’t press for its adoption. He suggested that each owner be limited to 3 TV stations in top 15 markets, 3 in next 35, 3 in markets beyond those. If licensee owns less than maximum permitted in first category, he said, perhaps he should be allowed more in smaller markets. Maximum he suggested was 15 stations — if the entity owned none in first 50 markets. This was the only new formula broached. Few observers predict any substantial revision of rules in visible future. * * * * Some other top subjects may not get decided this month, for several commissioners will be out of town from time to time. Comr. Bartley will be gone Jan. 21-31 for inspection of Hawaiian Conelrad and Coast Guard rescue operations. Comr. Hyde expects to go to Mexico City almost any time to sign radio agreement. Comr. Lee will deliver speech in Hollywood, Fla. Jan. 29. And there may Interplanetary legal code — “metalaw” — must be developed for space travelers, Andrew G. Haley of Washington law firm of Haley, Doty & Wollenberg says in Jan. 9 Washington Post & Times Herald interview. Article observes that Haley, former pres, of American Rocket Society & Aerojet Engineering Corp., big rocket-making firm, “has progressed space-consciously by leaps & bounds” since he was asst. gen. counsel of old Federal Radio Commission. Similar interview in Dec. 29 New Yorker gives Haley’s argument that “it’s obvious that some very touchy problems will be coming up and that an international formulation of space laws must be evolved.” New Yorker advises readers to “be assured that he is no dreamer.” Magazines need “excitement” to survive in face of TV competition and rising publishing costs, Jan. 11 Tide says in obituary editorial on Collier’s, Woman’s Home Companion and Town Journal (Vol. 12:50-52). It states that mass circulation isn’t answer; that magazines must add new merchandising methods for advertisers, new editorial concepts for readers, follow business publications into “specialization of a sort.” Tide supports editorial with detailed “autopsy,” including 1936-1956 Crowell-Collier chronology. Monthly TV business magazine, TV Availabilities, published by Richard Railton Co. of San Francisco, and specializing in listings and specifications of local TV shows in which national advertisers may buy partic. sponsorships, was purchased this week by Billboard. Starting in Feb., editorial content of TV Availabilities will be incorporated into Billboard’s monthly TV merchandising reprint, to be renamed Billboard’s TV Availabilities. Allen Ludden, mgr. of program planning & development for NBC Radio, is author of [’lain Talk for Women Under 21! New book of advice on social problems is companion to I’laiv Talk for Men Under 21! which Ludden published last year. be other absences. Chairman McConnaughey spoke at Miami Beach this week, discussing his philosophy of govt, before local Committee of 100. However, Commission will dig into the big allocations problem Jan. 14. It will be a heavy debate. We still think a couple deintermixed cities will emerge from it, ultimately if not immediately (Vol. 12:52). Federal Communications Bar Assn., at meeting Jan. 11, tabled proposal to adopt resolution in favor of abolishing allocations table — a la Craven plan (Vol. 13:1). If Commission decides to leave Ch. 9 in Elmira, N. Y., instead of finalizing its proposal to remove it, the applicants there plan to be ready for a grant. This week, they filed with FCC an agreement whereby all but WTVE (Ch. 24) have dropped out, leaving WTVE fi-ee for grant to shift. WTVE will set itself up with 2586 shares, TV Associates (WELM, et al.) having option to acquire 1000, Veterans Broadcasting Co. (WVET-TV, Rochester) an option for 586. Gannett’s WENY -Star-Gazette, not set for hearing with the others, has also dropped out. There were no CPs granted this week, though one cancelled uhf grant wanted back in. WOTV, Richmond (Ch. 29) filed for reinstatement, principal John G. Johnson stating he had been too busy working with TV Allocations Study Organization (TASO) to give grant proper attention. Commission finalized one allocations change, shifting Ch. 13 from Arecibo to Aguadilla, P. R. It received these requests for changes: (1) From WTPA, Harrisburg (Ch. 71), to shift Ch. 33 from Reading, substituting Ch. 69 for Ch. 48 in State College. (2) From KOTA-TV, Rapid City, S. D. (Ch. 3), to shift Ch. 4 from North Platte to Hay Springs, Neb., replacing it with Ch. 9. Definition of “good music” became central issue Jan. 11 at FCC hearing on protested sale of radios WGMS & WGMS-FM, Washington, to RKO Teleradio Pictures, parent of MBS (Vol. 12:47-48). Lawrence M. C. Smith of Philadelphia, stockholder in stations, told FCC counsel P. W. Valicenti that RKO ownership would rob Capital of unique “good music” service. But there was little agreement by witnesses on what term meant. Raymond S. Green, gen. mgr. of WFLN-FM, Philadelphia, pres, of Good Music Inc., testified it was “concert music.” Paul Hume of Washington Post & Times Herald said he thought it is “permanent music.” Glenn Dillard Gunn of old Washington Times Herald thought it was anything “in which the professional critic engages himself.” Hearing is expected to run several weeks. FM “Concert Network,” with outlets in New York, Boston, Providence, Albany and Ridgefield & Hartford, Conn., is planned by General Broadcasting Corp., headed by T. Mitchell Hastings Jr., Boston FM radio manufacturer. Currently testing is Hastings’ WFMX, New York, which plans to defray radio programming expenses by multiplexing its broadcast signal with functional music for stores and other public places. With transmitter in Pierre Hotel, WFMX is managed by Walter Wiehl, ex-WABF (FM), New York, and uses equipment from the late Maj. Edward H. Armstrong’s experimental FM station in Alpine, N. J. Ridgefield station, WFMQ, is currently being constructed and will be managed by Capt. W. G. H. Finch, who formerly operated New York’s WGHF (FM). “Advertising Benefits You” is TV theme of 1-min. public service spot promoting Advertising Week Feb. 10-16. Financed by CBS, NBC & ABC, co-sponsored by Advertising Federation of America & Advertising Assn, of the West, spot produced under supervision of Cunningham & Walsh includes 20-sec. animation and film of dancer Cynthia Scott of Hit Parade with narration by Cy Harrice.