Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

— {JA3TI3 CODEl's,^ AUTHORITATIVE NEWS SERVICE OF THE VISUAL BROADCASTING AND FREQUENCY MODULATION ARTS AND INDUSTRY pmiSHEO WELUY BT § RADIO ME^S BUREAU. 1519 COJ^^ECTICBT AVL H.W.. V/ASiilliSTOJj 6.D.C. TaB>H0?^E EllCHiSAM 2020 VOL. 2, NO. 4S November 16, 1946 EASING OF CP BAN: Those TV and FM grantees who have been stymied in construction because they can’t get CPA approval needn’t expect the present trend toward decontrol to eliminate entirely their difficulties in that field. But they can expect that their applications will now be given more sympathetic treatment. CPA, it is learned, is thinking seriously of allowing national volume of approvals for non-housing construction under the terms of VHP-1 (Vol. 2, No. 13) to rise from the present $35,000,000 a week to $50,000,000. Some measure of control seems bound to continue. The Wyatt housing program for vets is scheduled by law to run imtil Dec. 31, 1947. CPA, which exercises the control functions under VHP, is due to be terminated March 31, 1947, but is permitted to retain its construction activities until June 30, 1947. Even should CPA be liquidated, there is talk of creating a new agency to handle all controls (sugar, rice, rents, construction) that might still be kept in effect. THE m OUTLOOK AND Outlook now is so rosy for FM receivers, as reported in usually reliable trade circles, that promoters of the projected new FM Association (to be known as FMA) appeared more heartened than ever after their Washington meetings of Nov. 9-11. To a man they regard set supply as the crux of their problem of audience-creation. RCA’s trade literature, not yet generally released, goes all out for FM, even includes offerings of table model combinations. Philco’s new lines, not yet shown to dealers, also will play up FM. And GE will be breaking its FM story in big advertising displays next month. These big firms, adding their voices to such outspoken and unceasing FM enthusiasts as Zenith and Stromberg-Carlson, are seen giving FM set sales additional impetus during 1947. Highly gratifying to FMers is the RCA attitude, especially in view of the apparent disinterest of its subsidiary NBC in any effort to hasten FM along — partially explained by RCA-NBC preoccupation with TV. Reason manufacturers have not gone stronger on FM production, the FMA group was told, was that production this year did not warrant it; also that set makers don’t want to embarrass their dealers, who are still liberally stocked with AM. But the confident view was held that the time is near when virtually all consoles will be combinations, with FM-AM table models also making their appearance in gradually increasing quantities. By the end of the year, some profess, the market may be well enough supplied with FM sets to meet all demands — and the budding FM broadcasting industry can then really get going. ^ It was with these thoughts that the FMA steering committee formed at Chicago (Vol. 2, No. 43) met in Washington Monday, all save 2 members present. Absent were Ira Hirschmann, WABF, New York, though he attended Saturday meeting of objectives committee, and Gordon Gray, WMIT, Winston-Salem, kept away by bad flying weather but telegraphing his full support. Plan now is to hold fsrst general meeting in New York sometime in January, inviting membership from FM licensees, CP holders, conditional grantees, applicants, manufacturers, transcription and news services, etc. Arrangements were left to Roy Hofheinz, KTHT and KOPY, Houston (also chairman of the steering committee); Leonard Asch, WBCA, Schenectady; Everett L. Dillard, KOZY, Kansas City, and WASH, Washington. Dillard’s Washington office (International Bldg.) was made temporary headquarters. As a starter, the 12 steering committeemen each put $100 into a kitty. From 250 to 500 members are expected. Support from Maj. Armstrong and several manufacturers has been pledged. And an invitation to lunch next Monday with FMA steering committee, to talk over the projected Copyright 1948 by Radio News Bureau