Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

tiASTIS CflOEl’s AUTHORITATIVE NEWS SERVICE OF THE VISUAL BROADCASTING AND FRSCUENCY MODULATION ARTS AND INDUSTRY PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY ff RADIO HEWS SUREAO. 1519 OTECT1CUT 8, D.C. TEltPHOHE HICHISAH 2020 ‘VOL 2, NO. 6 February 9, 1946 HI Haports WH2R2 T:ISI5E'S SMOKE: By now you've doubtless heard or read the Washington dis patches forecasting FCC Chairman Porter's shift to OPA Administrator in place of Chester Bowles. President Truman may have announced the story by the time you read this; meanwhile, the principals at this writing naturally remain silent. If the long-rumored change for Porter does eventuate. Vice Chairman Paul A. Walker (Oklahoma) becomes acting chairman until Mr. Truman picks a permanent one. Best guess is that, unless he names a man from industry who knows the field as well as Porter does, he may choose Walker whose specialty is public utilities; or else Commissioner Jett, engineering expert who probably wouldn't want job but v/ould be highly acceptable to radio ; or Commissioner Denny, only 34, formerly chief counsel v/hose youth, vigor and technical grasp especially commend him. But the ways of politics, as in previous Administrations, may make it a purely political selection of a total stranger to radio. nns KZAHIN5S HECESSABY? It's probable that FM hearings won't be necessary where supply of channels equals or exceeds applications on file, though there's a school of thought within FCC favoring hearings so as not to preclude future applicants. Situation was pointed up recently v/ith withdrawals bringing number of applicants in Boston and in Providence-Pawtucket areas in line with available channels. Already on file with FCC is petition from combined Providence-Pawtucket applicants asking hearing be dropped and CPs granted without hearing, inasmuch as there are now exactly 6 applicants for the area's 6 channels. Boston hearing, only one definitely scheduled thus far, with Commissioner Durr assigned to sit on it there March 11, may be dropped on FCC's own motion; or else applicants may get together and move to that end. Originally, Boston area's 9 available channels (WBZ-FM is on 10th) were sought by 11 applicants (Supplement No. 14A) . But recent withdrawal of E. Anthony & Sons, plus recent acquisition of control of V/HDH by Boston Herald-Traveler, which would indicate nev/spaper will drop its separate application, brings total down to 9. Four more hearings ordered by FCC this week — in cities where demand exceeds supply — indicated anew tentative nature of allocation plan (Supplement No. 21). Hearing ordered for Washington lists 13 applicants for 11 available channels, though allocation lists 12 channels for capital area. Where deleted channel has gone to, FCC declines to divulge. Other cities where hearings will be held, at dates yet to be set, and number of applicants compared with channel availabilities: Pittsburgh, 9 for 6 (already operating are KDKA-FM and WMOT) ; New YorkNortheastern New Jersey area, 24 for 9 (already authorised are 11 stations, as listed in Supplement No. 4) ; Dayton-Springf ield, 6 for 5. MORE TV HEARn^GS ORDERED: As TV industry awaits FCC proposed decision on winners of V/ashington' s 4 channels, expected momentarily as result of first TV hearing recently conducted by Chairman Porter (Vol. 2, No. 4), Commission this week ordered 11 more TV hearings, but did not fix dates. All are for the cities in v/hich applications exceed supply of allocated channels. Washington result is being eagerly Copyright 1946 by Radio News Bureau