Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

being telecast, the script had evoked no interest. But Mr. Simon, after seeing it in the WNBT “Broadway Previews” series, offered to buy it, paid $25,000— first time an original script produced for TV was ever grabbed up for film production. Deal this week was hailed as proving how TV can “showcase” new dramatic productions. TELEVISION NOTES: Chevrolet Motor Co. next Monday signs with DuMont for series of TV programs, format still undetermined but starting Jan. 1, to run 26 weeks (first 13 without cost to sponsor) with options up to 52 and card rate change after New York’s first 100,000 receivers are sold. Time reserved is Sundays, 8-9 p.m. Agency is Campbell-Ewald. DuMont also reports its “sample” TV set will go to some dealers next week — the 15” tube model at $1795. Add these TV call letteis, just issued, to those already listed in Supplement 18A; WNTC, Chicago (NBC); WGN-TV, Chicago (Tribune); WOI-TV, Ames, la. (Iowa A&M); WHAS-TV, Louisville (Courier-Journal); WBZ-TV, Boston (Westinghouse) ; WNBK, Cleveland (NBC); KRLD-TV, DaUas (KRLD Radio Corp.); KWIS, San Francisco (Associated-KSFO). Sonox-a’s Joseph Gerl and his RMA excise tax committee, meeting in Washington Friday, decided to duck issue whether TV sets come under 10% radio excise tax, plan to take it up again at next year’s RMA board meeting. Committee meanwhile will campaign to persuade Congress to remove or reduce tax on radios. Latest efforts of RCA to relieve*iTv of some of its clumsier technical aspects are development of new streamlined, lightweight mobile TV pickup equipment mounted on a standard li/2-ton truck and an “Antenaplex” system for TV-FM reception in multiple dwelling buildings. Dan D. Halpin, company’s receiver sales manager, speaking before Philadelphia Building Owners and Managers Assn. Tuesday, advised members to include antenna systems in building plans. WBKB, Balaban & Katz (Paramount) TV station in Chicago, reports it will shortly stabilize operations at 35 hours per week, has nearly completed its new big studio. One of few studios constructed for TV rather than converted from radio use, it is 75 x 50 ft., 26 ft. high, uses special lighting system devised by Director Bill Eddy. Reason why Compton Advertising Inc., big New York ad agency, dropped its TV Dept. (Wyllis Cooper resigning), was that its accounts, notably Proctor & Gamble, turned down plans for video programs that encompassed considerable filmed material. On the other hand, McCann-Erickson on Dec. 1 adds Lee Cooley as TV director; he formerly handled daytime shows and TV at Ruthrauff & Ryan. Dig pre-Xmas promotion by New York’s Wanamaker Store will include five days of toyland pageants televised in DuMont’s giant Wanamaker studio, with children visiting Santa Claus and being televised as they get a signed certificate from him attesting their appearance in first telecasts of the kind. New York’s proposed new $20,000,000 Madison Square Garden, Convention Hall and Parking Garage at Columbus Circle includes 2 TV studios to measure about 70 x 150 feet. TV cages are also included for covering remotes. RKO Television’s Ralph D. Austrian leaves Saturday for Churubusco, near Mexico City, to supervise in.stallation of new RKO studio; he will be gone for several months. SIGHT AND SOUND: Favorite figure among Washington trade newsmen is OPA Administrator Paul A. Porter — and favorite topic of conjectural writing is whether he will accept BMI presidency or other private job, return to FCC chairmanship, or take another Administration post. He hasn’t resigned yet (though it’s reasonable to assume he will, since OPA is fast going out of business) ; he parries reporters with retorts witty but courteous — and he’s obviously enjoying the publicity. Senator Wallace White Jr. told newsmen Thursday he would accept majority leadership, which now seems assured; he indicated he did not intend to relinquish committee chairmanship due him, which means he is in line (and willing) to take over Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, handling radio. New York Times’ Arthur Krock devotes his Nov. 15 editorial page column to severe — and, many think, well deserved — castigation of FCC for allowing American Jewish Congress to intervene in New York News case for FM and TV. Quite aside from delaying the decisions and cluttering the record, Krock says any ruling on basis of newspaper’s editorial policy would violate Constitution. Unusual bit of promotion for FM is 5-minute transscribed talk ’ey FCC Comr. Jett v/hich, starting Nov. 16, Washington’s WWDC is putting on once a day for 2 weeks. Ten other FM -promoting stations have received the disc from WWDC, which Manager Ben Strouse says he will furnish free to any station asking for it. Write him at 1000 Connecticut Ave., Washington 6, D. C. Federal’s proposal to build a 20 kw FM transmitter, an exception to sizes specified in the FCC’s Standards, was granted tentatively by FCC this week. Present standards allow 250 watt, 1 kw, 3 kw, 10 kw, 25 kw, 50 kw, 100 kw transm.itters. Federal’s reason for odd size: it might take a year to develop 25 kw unit, whereas 20 kw is ready now. REL’s 1 kw FM transmitter (Model 518A-DL), now in use in 20 locations, will be in continuous operation Nov. 19 21 during the San Francisco IRE section meeting. Operating under special temporary dispensation from the FCC, tlie station (with call letters KRVU) will broadcast on 103.1 me. Frank A. Gunther, REL v.p., will present paper on transmitter. Demonstration is planned to acquaint Pacific Coast technicians with FM’s potentials for West Coast broadcasting. Clamor for space in the versatile 30-40 me band (fixed and mobile communications) by great variety of groups led FCC to set Dec. 2 for informal conference, preparatory to Dec. 16 oral argument. Usefulness of FM on those frequencies v/as pointed up last week by grants of stations to link Santa Fe and Abiquiu (pop. 700), isolated area in New Mexico without phone ser\dce. Liquiry among manufacturers who should know indicates they don’t hold much hope that German radio cabinets can be counted on to relieve current domestic shortage, despite optimistic tone of availability announcement recently by General McNamey, American Zone commander. Quantities are limited, sizes too small, hardware and in some cases trim would have to be exported to Germany to permit cabinet makers there to meet American r pecifications. Critical or on-the-beam tuning of FM receivers should be eased by GE’s new “electron ray indicator tube” which greatly simplifies tuning and is being used in some of GE’s new receivers, as well as in sets to be produced by other manufacturers. Change your Supplement No. 43 to add FM Channel No. 256 (99.1 me) to San Antonio; FCC this week dug up extra channel to relif;v» tightening situation.