Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1959)

NAB LIBRARY -“"Television Digest ^pR 2 0 1959 i VOL. 15: No. 16 © 1959 TRIANGLE PUBLICATIONS, INC. APRIL 20, 1959 « The authoritative newsletter for executives of TV and associated radio and electronics arts & industries i I SUMMARY-INDEX I FCC ♦ VHF DROP-INS & SET-CONTROL LAW IN WORKS as FCC [ votes for vhf drop-ins for “critical" markets, and asks for law to forbid interstate shipment of Ch. 2-13-only sets (pp. 1 & 6). ! HYDE RENOMINATED, LOOKS LIKE SHOO-IN. Senate confirmation of another 7-year term on FCC for veteran Republican attorney seems certain (p. 4). CAPITULATION ON VHF BOOSTERS COMES FROM FCC as it suggests "safe" standards and asks Congress for necessary , new laws (p. 4). I STATIONS LOSE, CATV WINS, in FCC ruling, despite proposed laws to require CATV's to get originating stations' "rebroadcast" permission (p. 5). FCC WANTS SOME CHANGES IN COMMUNICATIONS ACT to eliminate McFarland letters, give review staff more latitude, provide fines for non-broadcast stations (p. 6). Congress SENATE VOTES ETV AID IN $51 MILLION MAGNUSON BILL i for equipment purchases, spurning administration objections. House prospects not so bright (p. 3). USIA NEEDS MORE TV, says Broadcast Advisory Committee, urging Congress to triple agency's TV budget to $2.75 million for overseas programs (p. 5). j Film Tape ' HOLLYWOOD'S ABOUT-FACE. Movie studios, once contemp' tuous of TV, now in race to get TV film production & rent space to TV's independents (pp. 3 & 14). VHF DROP-INS & SET-CONTROL LAW IN THE WORKS: In what is probably the most I important breakthrough in TV allocations in years, the FCC definitely has decided to cut vhf milages on "limited" and "interim" basis to serve "critical" markets — while continuing to negotiate with Defense Dept, for more vhf TV channels. Thus, trend reported (Vol. 15:15) is now a fact. Commission having voted 5-2 for 1 the foregoing last week — and sending to Senate Commerce Committee a statement embodying its decision. Nothing has been announced publicly yet, but Commission is aiming to start official proceedings next week to put its decision into effect. In the voting, Comr. Bartley concurred in part put expressed concern lest uhf be bypassed, while Comr. Lee still insisted that TV should go all-uhf. Reasoning goes like this: If we ge4 more vhf channels or if we go to all-uhf, either course would take many years — and we need relief now. If we end up with same vhf & uhf channels we have now, we'll still I need relief. And if we wind up with just Ch. 2-13, there's no alternative to mileage cuts. j Another very important aspect of Commision's plans is a request that Congress forbid interstate i' shipment of sets which can't receive all channels allocated — vhf & uhf or vhf & new vhf (^Vol. 15:11). Here's jj the Commission's logic on that : If we add new channels or if we go all-uhf, stations on those channels will face OF WEEK'S NEWS Manuiaciuring Distribution A SPRINGTIME SNAFU. THE SQUARE-CORNER TUBE will probably be used in self-defense by most manufacturers. Some set makers enthusiastic; majority just nervous (p. 18). TV SALES PICK-UP reported from retail centers during period of traditional decline, leading to optimism by set makers. More manufacturer claims of sales boosts (p. 19). COLOR & THE PUBLIC: Price is still biggest barrier to mass color-TV purchages. Temple U survey finds (p. 20). ELECTRONICS SURVEYS STARTED by Govt, in first mobilization census of makers of military-industrial end products & microwave components (p. 20). Networks BUSINESS GROUP BACKS ATLANTIC TV relay, claims live microwave route is practical. Canadian Govt, approval awaited. Initial engineering study completed (pp. 2 & 8). Stations INDUSTRY "INFORMATION" PROGRAM TO COUNTERACT ATTACKS on TV moving well, according to Committee Chairman Petersmeyer — "unanimous so far" (p. 10). Advertising ARBITRON REPULSED IN CHICAGO, but ARB's fames W. Seiler instantaneous rating service which deflates other setsin-use data will win out in end (p. 13). Other Departments PROGRAMMING (p. 9). ETV (p. 17). FINANCE (p. 22). (