Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

their "suggested findings" shall be waived. So on this hearing, first on TV and one of the few on a city where demand for channels exceeds available supply, we can expect a decision sooner than usual, probably within 40-60 days. Cost estimates on installation and operation ranged from Philco's $528,423 capital cost and $738,000 first-year operating cost to Capital Broadcasting Co.’s proposal to get along on the $80,000 anticipated net income of its V/WDC (local AM), to double its AM staff in brass, and to use an additional $75,000 annually from its chief owner, Joe Katz, the Baltimore adman. Figures of most of the other applicants ran nearer Philco's. As was expected, proposers of networks played up^ the value of TV networks — good programs and economy. Manufacturers played up equipment experience. Local interests played up local service. The tall antenna boys played up area-population coverage. Old hands at TV station operation played up their know-hov/. Bamberger (WOR) , announcing it was withdrawing its Philadelphia TV application, proposed a hookup between the TV stations it hopes to get both in V/ashington and New York, said programs v/ould be 100% sustaining for the present. Capital stressed local public service, claimed economies in linking with AM operation, said everyone would eventually make money even if city's limit of Af;l-FM-TV stations were operating. DuMont pointed to experience not only with its New York commercial WABD but with its Washington experimental V/2XWT, also described its network ambitions, identified its corporate relations with Paramount (37%% stockholder). Evening Star pointed with pride to its age, dignity, prosperity, promised devotion to local service, made much of its recent educational tieup with American University on v/hose campus it would locate its transmitter. NBC stated ownership of a Washington station v/as necessary to its planned operation of a TV network, said a mere affiliate couldn't do the key job it could do itself; it introduced a long list of "firsts" in TV but didn't dwell much on them since Porter reminded that a pre-hearing meeting of counsel had agreed there would be no "parade of coonskin caps." Philco cited 18 years of TV experience, operation of its Philadelphia WPTZ, its radio relay experiments and, as a set maker, its interest in viewing audience. There was one glimmer of hope for an earlier-than-expected return from TV; DuMont's chart showing an estimated second-year income of $614,732 as against expenses of $321,907. It was much more sanguine than any of the others. Other highlights of the hearing; RCA's figure of $11,000,000 spent on TV up to beginning of war, NBC's figure of $3,000,000, Philco's figure of $5,000,000 . . . . DuIvTont ' s statement that it has recorded all TV programs of WABD on film to help, producers and advertisers master techniques. .. .Bamberger ' s estimate that rental of New York-Washington coaxial would run about $60,000 per annum, and DuMont's $700per-month cost for the tie-line from WABD to its new Wanamaker studios.... Philco's claim that radio relay is practical, its promise of TV receivers off the production line by summer. .. .NBC ' s statement that in 6 years of operating V/NBT in New York it has rented or given its facilities to 174 advertisers. .. .the statement that 1,000 man-hours of v;ork v;ere involved in recent telecasting of Array-Navy game relayed to N.Y. via coaxial. .. .DuMont ' s estimate of a $180 card rate per half hour for TV the first year, $297 the second year, in Washington, and its avowal it expects to have 24% hours of sponsored time on books by beginning of the third year. ... estimates by various witnesses that Washington should have 10,000 TV sets the first year, which Katz predicted would rise to 100,000 within 2 years. If you're serious about TV, transcripts of the testimony can be secured from Electreporter Inc., 1760 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington. Docket Nos.; Bamberger, 7014; Capital, 7015; DuMont, 7016; Evening Star, 7017; NBC, 7019; Philco, 7021. At 400 per page it will cost like blazes. But that's TV — expensive.