Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

UaRTn CODEI’S authoritative news service OF THE VISUAL BROADCASTIN© AND FREQUENCY MODULATION arts AND INDUSTRY ani hil Reports muvm V^EEKLY BY ff RADIO HEWS BUREAU, 1519 C0?ii1ECTlCUT AVL HAY., WASIIIHSTDN 8. D.G. TEIHPHOHE liilCHiSAU 2029 VOL 2, HO. 37 September 14, 1946 TSLSV2SIDH VIA STBATaVISIS27; Westinghouse is getting ready to put "vision” into Stratovision, this week asked FCC for use of TV Channel No. 6 (82-88 me), reports it is acquiring a surplus B-29 for projected tests. Company says it will take 6-8 months to prepare plane for low-band tests over New York area, expects to enlist collaboration of NBC and DuMont. B-29 v/ith its roomy, pressurised cabin is considered ideal for purpose, easily capable of requisite 25,000 ft. or higher altitudes. "Very satisfied" with results of FM tests to date (Vol. 2, No. 21), company engineers have had to defer proposed uhf color TV tests from their "skyhook" due to unavailability of equipment. Meanwhile, Westinghouse is going forward with plans for recently granted Boston TV (Vol. 2, No. 33), has acquired tract of land adjacent to Harvard stadium on Charles River where new AI;I-FM-TV studio building will be built, WBZ-FM and TV tower will be located. That is, unless by time building can begin, engineers have proved to company’s and FCC's satisfaction that Stratovision, not ground stations, is practicable and most desirable for both FM and TV. Incidentally, though still hush-hush, strato-testers have also compiled data on AM transmissions said to have Startling implications. FM G'flAilTS ASIB USABIilGS; This was big week for FM grants (Supplement No. 41E herev/ith) , with 21 more CPs authorised, 5 more conditionals, 6 modifications of previous CPs (some involving considerable height-power changes). Noteworthy, too, is fact that 20 new AMs v/ere also granted, bringing total CPs for AMs outstanding to about 350. Conditional FM granted WDEL, V/ilmington, Dela. , was taken back, .ordered set for hearing on question of service area overlap with WGAL, Lancaster, Pa., also holder of conditional and owned by same interests. Week's grants bring total to 265 CPs, 290 conditionals, 5 EAs outstanding. On the hearing side, Philadelphia situation eased greatly when another applicant withdrew. Crescent Broadcasting Corp., in addition to 2 dropouts previously reported (Vol. 2, No. 36). Hearing ended there Thursday with 5 seeking 4 chann els. Hearing op 6 applicants for 3 channels allotted Bridgeport (Conn.) area starts there Monday. WSTC, Stamford, originally down for hearing, decided on smaller game, dropped out, asked for Class A, got conditional almost immediately. For remaining applicants, see FM hearing calendar (Supplement No. 42). CBS CCLOS TV RIDES AGASJ3: CBS isn't relaxing its campaign for uhf color TV one whit, merely because of summier publicity letup. Friday's highly impressive demonstrations to newsmen of its first uhf live-talent pickups in color dispel any such idea. In fact, the network now definitely promises it will present formal proposals for Standards to FCC "before the end of the year." Its officials think the RTPB panel on television should do the recommending. But if it won't, they will. They will go to public hearing even if, as before, they stand virtually alone against a solid block of low-band monochrome proponents eager to get the admittedly good low-band TV going now rather than wait for the "promises" of the still-maturing ultra-highs. Comment of reporters ranged from "just like good kodachrome" to enthusiastic exclamations of "terrific" after Friday's showings, echoing what Washington Copyright 1946 by Uadlo News Bureau