Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

last week signed second video period on WNBT (Sundays, 8 p.ni.) for a cartoon quiz, in addition to its one-hour Thursday variety show "Hour Glass." Young & Rubicam, for Bristol-Myers Co., starts June 9 on WNBT (Sundays, 8:30 p.m.) v/ith travelog film with live commentary by Mrs. Carvath Wells ; and same agency, for Gulf Oil Corp., starts June 20 (Thursdays, 8:15 p.m.) with animated newscasts and newsreels on CBS's WCBW. Latter sponsorship v/ould seem to set at rest rumors CBS may close down its low-band TV station for summer. And DuMont, promising TV sets this fall, as does GE (Vol. 2, No. 20), reports it will deliver to dealers more than §7,000,000 worth of receivers before' end of year (at least 20,000 sets), stated it could sell 5 times that many except for production obstacles. DuMont added that 90% of the 5,000 owners of prev/ar TV sets in New York area said they planned to turn them in for new sets. THE TERHI3LS TE!fl?SBED You've doubtless read plenty in the public prints about Jimmy Petrillo's outbursts, threats and dire warnings at his AFM convention in St. Petersburg this week, so it's not necessary to go into details. Politically, his strategy now seems to be to make common cause with Labor (with a capital L) in its grievances against the Truman administration. Legally, he intends to stand arrest to test constitutionality of the Lea Bill in his "featherbed" case against Chicago's WAAF (Vol. 2, No. 22). Editorially, he doesn't seem to have a friend, even though many newspapers question both the efficacy and constitutionality of the Lea Bill as an antidote to either his rampages or those of other labor leaders. Petrillo's unanimous reelection as AFM's president was a foregone conclusion. One poll revealed 6 delegates opposed to his policies, but they hardly raised a voice and a resolution endorsed his "each and every action." But when he started calling names, referring to Congressman Dondero as "that bum... he's a gimme-gimme politician," it didn't sound as though he felt he was on secure grounds in threatening a network and recording strike in case the U.S. Supreme Court sustains the Lea Bill. That sort of threat v/as in line v/ith his usual indiscreet public relations. (Hiring a public relations man actually v/as on the convention agenda and v/as referred to the ATU board.) As for that bete noir of the musicians union. Rep. Clarence Lea, he v/as renominated last Tuesday by both his Democratic and the Republican parties of his California district! So political threats on that score don't seem any more disturbing than his threat against Congress if it should pass the Lea Bill, or against the Supreme Court if it should uphold the legislation. Notv/ithstanding Jimmy's tantrums, NAB insists it plans to proceed in its negotiations with AFM (Jimmy willing, of course). Still placatory, still evidently believing that a soft answer turneth away v/rath, NAB took the position in a statement issued Friday "that neither legislation nor judicial determination can obviate or diminish the necessity for the industry and labor to sit down together and reach fair agreements by proper discussion, adjustment and negotiation. Resort to any other procedure is v/asteful, inconclusive and can only breed bitterness and resentment." NAB's position is that no matter what happens, the broadcasting industry must continue lo deal with Petrillo and his musicians. Meanwhile, in Chicago, U.S. District Attorney J. Albert Well was reported ready to institute action against Petrillo and the AFM in the WAAF case. He v/as reported as saying he v/as awaiting "particulars" from the FBI, which was asked to investigate the case, and that "a draft of the charges has been prepared." TV CQST CALCULIkTI9}?S: Los Angeles and New York TV hearings of last few weeks served to disclose that the real enthusiasts for TV, their enthusiasm apparently undimmed by the campaign against low-band monochrome, are ready to go all the way financially. Fully cognizant of the large costs involved, some applicants, particularly in Hew York, actually figure on substantial revenues from the start to reduce intitial losses. General attitude, as gauged at hearings, which ended for N.Y. applicants