Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1959)

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The authoritative service for executives engagred in all branches of the television arts & industries SUMMARY-INDEX OF WEEK'S NEWS Stations FTC LEADS OFF in TV-radio offensive by govt, in wake of quiz scandals, summoning broadcasting brass to Dec. 2 showdown "to strike deception" from air (p. 1 & 11). CODE RECRUITS ENLIST for TV's self-control-vs.-govt.-regulation fight; 15 new members subscribe to NAB's advertising-programming rules, bringing total to 282 (p. 7). FCC STAGE-SETTING FOR HEARING on programs proceeds at FCC. Non-broadcast witnesses expected first; heavy pressure on commercial excesss anticipated (pp. 2 & 4). $2.5 MILLION FCC UHF RESEARCH pushed after Budget Bureau approves funds. Comr. Lee is sparkplug of the drive, which has fair chance of green light from Congress (p. 2). Congress PAYOLA PARADE CONTINUES as House probers plan move to N.Y., to investigate TV performers in music field; DA Hogan subpoenas Alan Freed; disc jockeys resign or get fired in crosscountry actions (p. 4). Advertising DON'T FORGET PROGRAM COSTS when you're trying to find the real extent of network TV in national advertiser spending. Listing only "gross network time" shortchanges TV (pp. 3 & 10). Programming WHAT TV-Q DOES is discussed by researcher Henry Brenner; his service tends to predict which shows will be hits, which flops (p. 8). Manuiacturing d Distribution HOTEL-TV FIELD SMALL BUT HUMMING: Business is booming for 10 top TV suppliers & installers who report gains of 20% to 300% this year over last, foresee bigger market in 1960 (p. 16). STEREO INFORMATION CAMPAIGN may be undertaken by EIA to help clear up public & dealer misunderstanding. New EIA phono section organized (p. 17). POWER FROM NOISE is claimed for new semiconductor device, whose developers say it will make possibl? cheap 24-in. TV set drawing only V/z watts of power (p. 18). RADIO IMPORTS SOAR as 9-month shipments of Japanese sets to America equal 60% of radios manufactured in U.S. (p. 18). Networks LARMON'S SUMMIT MEETING proposes the 3 networks agree to an outside "Citizen's Committee." Plan not acceptable (p. 5). NET TV UP SHARPLY IN SEPT, as national ad volume gains 15% over Sept. 1958. Latest index shows TV 16% ahead (p. 6). Auxiliary Services FCC COOL ON CATV ACTION, reporterly deciding no further Commission proceedings are warranted. Denver discussion of "ad hoc" group concept undecisive (p. 12). Film d Tape TWO 60-MIN. SHOWS BITE THE DUST and another is wobbly as season moves on (p. 13). Other Departments EDUCATIONAL TV (p. 11). PERSONALS (p. 15). FINANCE (p. 19). FTC LEADS OFF IN TV-RADIO OFFENSIVE: The first of 4 zero hoxirs in govt, assaults on TV & radio programming-advertising-payola will strike for broadcasters this week. Biggest brass in industry will be confronted Dec. 2 by Federal Trade Commission, whose Chmn. Earl W. Kintner called extraordinary conference "to devise better & faster means of enforcing the present laws to stop false <S misleading advertising on TV & radio." Four-pronged govt, attack will then be carried forward by FCC, which starts wide-open hearings Dec. 7 on programming and Commission's powers to oversee it (see p. 2). Then come 2 new waves of trouble for broadcasters from always-threatening Capitol Hill. House Commerce legislative oversight subcommittee, fresh from its quiz hearing triumphs (Vol. 15:41-45), mobilizes again Dec. 9 for upcoming payola probe, which already has set off explo.sive dismissals of disc jockeys from stations (see p. 4). Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Magnuson (D-Wash.) will follow up with earlyJan. disciplinary showdown with industry representatives, FTC & FCC (Vol. 15:47 p5). And looming darkly ahead for all broadcasting is 2nd session of 86th Congress opening in Ian. If pre-session talk is carried through by legislators, there'll be unprecedented bombardment of bills to tighten govt, controls over TV & radio — prohibiting program frauds, outlawing payola, licensing networks, etc., etc.