Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

Chairman Dave Smith (Philco engineering v.p.) and Expert Don Fink (Electronics Magazine), both of whom will be subpoenaed. RTPB is drafting a report with findings and conclusions about uhf TV, but it is understood the report will contain no recommendations. Individual RTPB panelmen, however, may be expected to appear to present their own and their company views; in fact. Smith himself very likely will appear a second time— for Philco — with some quite positive views favoring monochrome TV now, the avowed policy of his company. Nov. 25 is the deadline for filing appearances. RIembers of RTPB Television Panel are: David Smith, Philco, Chairman] 1. J. Carr, GE, vice chairman; G. L. Beers, RCA; H. G. Boyle, North American Philips; J. E. Brown, Zenith; F. J. Bingley, Philco (representing TBA); William E. Bradley, Philco; U. P. Case, Hallicrafters; Don Fink, Electronics] D. E. Foster, Majestic; T. L. Gottier, Raytheon; T. T. Goldsmith, Du Mont; P. C. Goldmark, CBS; R. N. Harmon, Westinghouse; A. G. iJensen, Bell Labs; E. Labin, Federal; Paul Larsen, Society of Motion Picture Engineers; M. L. Levy, Emerson; Harry Lubcke, Don Lee; Albert F. Murray, Washington; William A. McDonald, Hazeltine; A. E. Newton, Stromberg-Carlson; Frank Norton, Bendix; A. Packard, IColonial; John Rankin, Belmont; John Reid, Crosley; J. D. Schantz, Farnsworth; George Town, StrombergCarlson; C. F. Wilcott, Gilfillan (Society of Television Engineers); J. R. Weir, GE. HEACIiO/^ TO TV SETS: Not much doubt about public’s eagerness to see and buy TV receivers, judging from PvCA reports on its initial dealer displays this week in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Albany-Schenectady. Crowds blocked traffic before store windows, jammed interior displays of the new sets (Vol. 2, No. 44). Watching this reaction, one New York dealer offered a certified check for $1,000,000 worth of sets, reports RCA, and a chain of stores sought to place an order for 2,000. Some 800 retail stores in cities having rV stations were scheduled to be selling RCA sets by end of this week, said RCA Victor’s Dan Halpin, rV sales manager. Big problem is to train retail salesmen to be able to speak intelligently about the sets. Bigger crowds than ever were anticipated this ’Saturday when Army-Notre Dame game (Good;^car-sponsored) was to be telecast, providing a aerfect “show piece” for dealers. iTHOiVlSERG’s Ffil ADAPTER: Latest effort to sal/age the estimated 350,000 pre-war low-band FM isets for high-band reception is that of two-band enthusiast Stromberg-Carlson. Company is field:esting an adapter, to retail for $6.35, invented by deorge Driscoll, manager of its Rochester FM sta-ion WHFM. Stromberg v.p. Lee McCanne says results obtained so far indicate adapter will perform satisfactorily for most pre-war sets, but sam3les are being sent to distributors to get more expensive data. TV Tll^E SALES LOOK UP: Increasing sponsor inter-, est in TV, as the few available receivers seem to be selling like the proverbial hot cakes, is giving heart to television time entrepreneurs. Bigtime network sponsor General Mills is understood to be closing TV deal with ABC for sponsorship of Chicago Blackhawks home hockey games for 27 weeks over WBKB. On that station, next Tuesday, ABC also places a one-time show for Johnson & Johnson (baby powder) — the Disney film, “Bathing Time for Baby.” Success of Chicago TV symposium, conducted last month as part of Electric Association’s plan to make Windy City a top TV center, has led to scheduling of forum Dec. 10 to acquaint Chicago account executives with advertising potentialities of medium. Ad agency TV committee is headed by Miss Fran Harris, TV director of Ruthrauff & Ryan. Last month’s sessions attracted admen from such big radio sponsors as Dr. Miles Laboratories, Quaker Oats Co., Consolidated Biscuit Co., Reliance Mfg. Co., Lever Bros., William Wrigley Co., among a dozen others. HEWSPAPERS \n FOR F.^: Newspaper interests, now identified with the ownership of approximately one-third of the AM facilities of the United States, account for three-eighths of all FM grants up to Oct. 1 That’s what an FCC analysis of FM grantees (CPs and conditionals combined) will show when released shortly by FCC. Closely paralleling our own findings (Vol 2, No. 42), the FCC anaylsis will also show that of 540 grants up to t Oct. 1, three-fourths went to AM licensees and CP holders. Flalf the remainder went to applicants with neither AM nor newspaper affiliations, the other half to newspapers without AM affiliations. JUKEBOX, MOTEL TVs: Next in TV— the jukeboxstyled receiver for quarter-in-the-slot reception, model of which was shown to newsmen in New York Thursday. It’s called “Tradiovision,” uses a 5-inch tube (smallest yet) with image designed to be reflected onto mirror on lid. Manufacturer is Tradio Inc., Asbury Park, N. J., which also produces coin-operated radios. While no price has been set, it was stated they would be sold at around $200, or else rented, primarily for gathering places and eventually for homes. It would operate 30 minutes for 50 cents. Engineering model in steel cabinet contained 20 tubes, was not demonstrated because of auto accident while transporting it from Jersey factory. Model was said to be larger than production line set (5,000 planned after 60 days) , which will measure 9x18x16”. Larger tube sizes are planned later. Tradio says it already has quarter-in-slot sound radios operating in 1,000 hotels, took full-page ad in Nov. 9 Billboard to offer “Tradiovision” to coin machine trade.