Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

POBUC ISJIT KJCKING: Almost as if it came in response to recent official attacks (mainly FCC) on broadcast programming and advertising, is this week’s report of National Opinion Research Center of the U of Denver, working under grants from that institution and the Field Foundation, finding 82% of people of U.S. giving radio ’’excellent" or "good" accomplishment rating. Survey was not radio-sponsored, was nation-wide in scope, covered 2,246 confidential interviews, which authors say should come within 3%> of accuracy on basis of survey experience. Full report will shortly be published by U of North Carolina Press. Asked whether they preferred radio with or without advertising, 62% preferred advertising, 35% no advertising. Another breakdown: 41% "don't particularly mind advertising. ... it doesn't interfere too much with my enjoyment of programs"; 26% "don't like the advertising. .. .but I'll put up with it"; 23% in favor of advertising. .. .because it tells me about the things I want to buy"; 26% "think all advertising should be taken off." Asked if they would prefer newspapers without advertising, 87% say No, 10% Yes. Also: 81% said they are able to get kind of programs they like when they want to listen; 84% would rather do without movies than without radio ; 81% think stations usually fair in giving hearing to both sides of arguments; 75% think radio did best job of all mass media in serving public during war; 13% said they would pay $5 a year to get programs without any advertising. V/B3TSBH SLSCTHIC'S PLAHS: Washington consulting and FCC engineers saw preview last Monday of Western Electric's new 54A antenna for FM, known as "Cloverleaf . " At same time they were informed by Fred Lack, v.p. in charge of radio division, that V.E is moving all electronics manufacturing facilities, except vacuum tubes and components, to newly acquired factories in Winston-Salem, N.C. and Burlington, N.C. Tube factory will be at Allentown, Pa. New antenna is shaped like four-leaf clover, was engineered by Bell Labs for 88-108 me frequencies, with tower sections fabricated by Blaw-Knox. EDUGATIDNAIS S2T Same engineering standards as for commercial FM (Supple ment No. 9) will apply to non-commercial educational FM stations, allocated the 83.1-91.9 me band, but they will operate under a separate set of rules and regulations. These will be somewhat more lax than rules for commercial FM, placing no limit on multiple ownership (6 is commercial limit), fixing no minimum hours of operation (6 hours per day is commercial requirement) and exempting educationals from network rules. FCC this week issued proposed educational FM rules, gave interested parties 60 days to submit comments and suggestions, said they would then be promulgated without hearings or arguments unless demanded. For list of educational FM licenses and CP holders, see Part III of Supplement No. 32 herewith. IIBWS V22WS: Tone of House thinking is indicated in vote this week (309-39) naming conferees to meet with Senate conferees, smooth out differences between Lea and Vandenberg bills.... Add to log of experimental TVs (Supplement No. 18) CP granted this week to Kansas State College ; research plan envisages video system for small communities, using only 100 watts with simple receiver for both low and high bands. .. .First an Af/1 local (250 w on 1340 kc), then an FM, is plan of Capt . Harry C. Butcher, ex-CBS v.p., recently Eisenhower aide, in applying for new station in Santa Barbara, Cal. ; he intends to make his home there. .. .Near TV Channel No. 13 (210-216 me) is 235-240 me band newly assigned to "hams" by FCC this week; FM and facsimile emission also permitted amateurs in 27.185-27.455 and 235-240 me bands.... Loew's subsidiary Oak Park Amusement & Realty Co., Chicago, dropping its FM application; Cleveland Plain Dealer also dropping Akron FM, but going ahead with Cleveland, Columbus applications. .. .Executives of 20 railroads and Ford Motor Co. will watch first major test of uhf (158-162 me) for railroad communications conducted by Farnsworth in Detroit, March 19-21.