Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

as basic construction and planning factors are concerned, until they become CPs or EAs specifying actual frequencies, powers, antenna heights, etc. Of the 303 CPs outstanding for new standard stations, mostly covering local low power or daytime outlets (that inevitably ask later for better facilities) , we count only 51 who have also applied for EM (some already granted). Reason why more AM newcomers haven't applied at same time for PM, as told to us by highly qualified source, is that many fear if they ask for both the FCC will grant the FM and not the AM. And truth of matter is that, even if they honestly intend going into FiM , t hey v/ant AJ.I first since they see in it chance for im.mediate income. Our survey shov/s that about 600 AM stations are applying for FM (including the AM-affiliated pre-war FM licensees and CP holders, listed in Supplement No. 32). The rest (nearly 700) are not seeking FM — more than half. This m.eans that, v/hile AM interests are dominant among applicants for and recipients of FM grants so far, they aren't the whole show by any means. Just the same, not much credence, should be given alarums about a nev; "duopoly" rule or interpretation requiring eventual separation of FM-AM interests . In fact, FCC v/ill shortly issue statement reiterating it is not now contemplating any separatist move. Even Commissioner Durr knows it can't be done without taking financial, technical props out from under FM, setting art back many years, because for most part the non-AMers going into FM are small fry v/ithout radio know-how. Despite evidence that some AMers would like to throttle FM because of its threat to the status quo, there are still enough of them with "honorable intentions" toward FM to warrant encouraging them all to get into the swim. YV PB0S?£STS LOOK UP: Several low-band TV withdrawees vyill probably reapply shortly. You can also expect a few brand new applications. Washington coiinsel are cagey about disclosing files they are preparing, but several big league concerns are 3cnown to be preparing to return to the fold. They are entities who can afford the cost, v;ho still hanker to be classed among the video pioneers. Only one we are at liberty to report on as yet is E. Anthony & Sons Inc., publisher of the New F>edford (Mass.) Standard-Times (V/NBH) , v/hich had applied for Boston but felt forced to withdraw when an option on a highly favorable antenna site atop Hancock insurance building failed to materialize. Progressive Publisher Basil Brewer has lost none of his interest in TV, nor has it been diminished by reports of elaborate TV plans of some of his newspaper confreres (Vol. 2, No. 30). One TV transmitter manufacturer has indicated he has a few orders for equipment from companies that have not even filed for facilities as yet. He v/on’t tell us v/ho they are, but he assures us they are bona fide prospects for low-band TV, delaying primarily because of the complexities involved in preparing the requisiteFCC engineering data. And, as if to bear this out, RCA's most recent trade ad lists ex-Congressman Elmer Wene's WTTM, Trenton, N. J. , as having placed a firm order for TV equipment, though FCC records do not show it has yet applied. Reasons for heightened interest in TV may be variously ascribed: ( 1 ) to widespread favorable publicity won by black-and-white during highly successful LouiS-Conn telecast, (2) to eagerness of many radio advertisers and their agenciesi, to grab off choice time segments on existing stations, (3) to promises of early delivery of TV receivers in those cities having video service, (4) to unswerving, faith in today's system manifested by executives of such big companies as DuMont, General Electric, Paramount, Philco, RCA, et al, not to mention the various newspaper publishers, broadcasters and others holding the 25 CPs thus far issued by FCC Fact that Ford bought video rights to all Madison Square Garden sports except boxing, using CBS's low-band station WCBW in New York (Vol. 2, No. 31), has served to focus new interest on commercial aspects of the medium. This week big Bristol-Myers (Ipana, Vitalis, etc.) already using NBC's WNBT for a Sunday night travelog, bought Sunday 8:30-9 p.m. spot for 52 weeks, also on WCBW, obviously to tie up best looking-in time. And other big sponsors like Standard Brands, Standard Oil, Firestone and the various watch companies have for some time been testing