Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

MARTIrl COOEL’sj;^^ AUTHORITATIVE NEWS SERVICE OF THE VISUAL BROADCAST1N& ANI> FREQUENCY MODULATION ARTS AND INDUSTRY PU3USHE0 WEEKLY BT ^ FADiO HEWS BUREAU, 1519 COiNNECTiCUT AVL H.W.. WASJ11H8TC1M 6, D.C. TEL^liflJiE MlCillSAH 2023 VOL 2, NO. 21 May 25, 1946 FM CLASSinSATIOH CHAVISES: Due from the FCC next week is a revision of FM Rules that will substitute for present Community, Metropolitan and Rural station nomenclature a dual system of classification. New system, according to our information, will classify FM stations in only two categories according to an established powerantenna height ratio. Exact nomenclature of the two categories is undetermined. That Some change in FM station classification was brewing, has been apparent for some time. Although present Rules indicate no fixed ratio between power and antenna height for Area II stations, FCC engineers at recent engineering hearings in Washington let it be known they were using the 20 kw-500 ft antenna height ratio, as established for Area I Metropolitan stations, for Area II Metropolitan stations also (Vol. 2, No. 18). In some instances, the FCC, in granting conditionals or EAs, was unable to fix proper designations and left station classifications "to be determined" (Vol. 2, No. 17). I.1C0?^?LSTE DATA SLOWS m: One big reason why FCC is issuing CPs for FM at such a snail's pace, is that many applicants and their attorneys and engineers have filed inadequate data. Out of 205 applications thus far examined as to engineering details, the Commission reported Wednesday, 115 require additional data v;hich has been requested. And many others have failed to submit the requisite statement as as to program plans. So you can't blame the overburdened FCC staff entirely if you still haven't been apprised what your channel, power and antenna height must be. This week there were only 6 CPs issued for FM. plus 6 Engineering Approvals (EAs), as reported in Supplement No. 36D herewith. Actually, since it began issuing CPs and EAs, the Commission has granted only 52 of the former, 29 of the latter (see Supplements No. 36 to 36D) . EAs are automatically granted CPs as soon as program-promise data is filed (Vol. 2, No. 11). According to FCC records, 441 conditional grants have been made since Oct. 8, 1945. Applications on which there has been no action at all, it says, totaled 256 up to May 22. Involved in hearings are 131 applications — but not even the heavy April hearings (Boston, Pittsburgh, Cleveland-Akron) have been reported on as yet. Commissioner Durr conducted Boston hearing nearly 2 months ago (April 2) but his report is held up while engineers study record, and there's possibility that an engineering hearing may also be necessary. That the Commission means business in requiring program plan data, was evidenced again this v/eek when, in renewing certain AM licenses after perusing their program logs in the light of policy laid down in its recent Blue Book, it stated; "The Commission's action in granting current renewals should not be construed as an indication that in all instances the program structures are in keeping with the overall public service responsibilities enunciated by the Commission from time to time. ... current renewals are being granted on the showings made but with the expectation that all licensees will review their program structure. ... in instances where Copyright 1946 by Radio News Bureau