Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

ply aren’t in the public’s hands in sufficient quantity as yet to warrant revenues; therefore, AM must foot bill until FM can stand on its own feet. That AM applications are currently so numerous because the FCC has pursued an unusually liberal policy this year in granting AMs, especially local low power and daytime outlets. That most of the 1,007 licensed AM broadcasters either see the “handv/riting on the wall” or bow to the inevitable and seek FM as “an insurance policy” against the future; nevertheless, there are still 44.6% of AMers who have neither secured nor sought FMs as yet. That once an AM broadcaster files for FM, he sticks. During the last year, only 8 AMers dropped ) applications for FM adjuncts — out of a total of 71 dropouts (see listings of Applications Dismissed or Withdrawn in Supplements 14-C to 14-0 inclusive) . Worried — and understandably so — are those applicants for both AM and FM who have as yet only received CPs for FM. There is good reason to believe that a substantial number of these will i drop their FM-CPs if not granted AM facilities. STATUS of AM and FM Licensed AM stations 1007 CPs for new AM stations 377 [including proposed decisions] Applications for new AM stations 674 Total AMs 2,058 Licensed FM stations 49 [Supplement No. 32] CPs for new FM stations 302 [Supplement No. 44, 44A] Conditionals for new FM stations 245 [Supplement No. 44, 44A] Applications for new FM stations 358 [Supplements No. 14-A to 14-0 incl.] Total FMs 954 r AM licensees holding FM licenses 42 i AM licensees holding CPs for FM 221 AM licensees holding FM conditionals 151 ' AM licensees applying for FM 144 Total AM licensees in for FM 558 Percent of total FMs 58.5% AM-CP holders granted FM-CPs 13 AM-CP holders granted FM conditionals 24 AM-CP holders applying for FM 28 Total AM-CP holders in for FM 70 Percent of total FMs 7.3% AM applicants holding FM-CPs AM applicants holding FM conditionals AM applicants appljang for P’M Total AM applicants in for FM Percent of total FMs Percent of AM licensees in for FM Percent of AM-CP holders in for FM Percent of AM applicants in for FM Percent of total AMs in for FM Percent of total FMs (licensees, CP holders, applicants) coming from AM licensees, CP liolders or appli. . cants 29 24 51 104 10.9% 55.4% 18.6% 15.4% 35.5% 76.7% POSTLODE m TBA: Here’s the nub of the reactions of a dozen or more key figures, who were there, whose opinions are worth noting and whom we asked for comment on what they heard and saw at the TBA conference and exhibit in New York last week: “The technicians ^are far and away ahead of everybody else in the television field. The problems now are largely these: (1) the production of receiving sets to meet obvioits demand, (2) more telecasting stations in operation in more cities, (3) commercial impetus through attractive programs. “What television needs is big capital — maybe some new blood, too, for at the moment it doesn’t look as though it will be either the broadcasting industry or the motion picture industry, as such, who will put it over.” (The latter remark obviously referred to the small attendance of broadcasters and movie people at the show, though the fact is that 4 of the 6 TV licensees, 28 of the 35 grantees of CPs for TV, 22 of the 37 pending applicants, are directly affiliated with AM broadcasting.) And this was FCC Commissioner Jett’s observation, after looking over the exhibits with some of his colleagues: “I was impressed and pleased with the progress I saw, especially the advances that have been made over pre-war equipment. There’s no doubt that black-and-white is here.” TV SPO?JSDH$Hi? RUIEO GUT: Ford Motor Co. and its agency, J. Walter Thompson Co., are so sold on TV, so eager to tie up choice sports features, that they wanted to sponsor telecasts of the recent California tennis champion.ships, would still like to sponsor Los Angeles pro football games — just as they do New York sports events on two TV stations (Vol. 2, No. 40). But the FCC voted against it this week, under Rule 4.182 stating that experimental stations may not charge for time. Paramount’s W6XYZ, which carried some 40 hours of the tennis matches, asked FCC to okay time charges, pegging plea on stand that income could be spent in expanding and improving service. Since Paramount’s subsidiary is party to Los Angeles TV hearing (decision awaited momentarily on 8-for-7 channels), FCC felt such approval might bolster “foot-in-door” W6ZYX may think it has by reason of its experimental license. W6XYZ is carrying grid games anyhow, but won’t agree to set precedent of “sponsorship for free” for Ford or anyone else. Besides, whole L. A. area only has about 250 sets as yet, though feeling is that new ones will sell like hot cakes once they roach that market. Tennis telecasts excited lots of comment when shown on receiver in lobby of Hollywood Paramount Theater and in lounging room of the tennis club.