Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

TV CHANHZL-SHA^iNG: How to permit police and other services to share use of' TV channels . at same time precluding interference with reception, is problem that currently has FCC engineers scratching their heads. Newly finalized allocations of frequencies above 25 me stipulate (as stated in Commission's report of May, 1945) that "these channels may be shared on a mutually non-interfering basis." Those who want places in TV bands 44-82 and 174-216 me include police control and relay services, point-to-point, marine control, forestry, rural telephone, broadcast studiotransmitter links, railroad terminal and yard operations. Their applications have been filed in great numbers, and in their "desperate need" for channels they are pressuring the Commission hard. In fact, some sharing already has occurred, but only experimentally and temporarily. These includa Army Signal Corps TV transmissions in the vicinity of Belmar, N.J. ; Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol communications for Harrisburg turnpike ; Tennessee Valley Authority. So far, none of 'these services has been granted permanent space -in the TV band. This is because FCC engineers haven't yet been able to get enough information to determine just how closely (geographically, frequency-wise and power-wise) assignments can be made without mutual degradation of service. Obviously, some types of services in some areas would cause no trouble at all. But such things as mobile units in frequency-crowded metropolitan areas are certain to offer problem, extent of which is yet fully to be determined. To 'Supplement meager information on subject, FCC has asked major TV set manufacturers for v;hat data they have, such as charts on receiver selectivity, plotted to show response 6 me above and 6 me below any single channel. CBS AHD TV; HEW KATE CAHB: it certainly doesn't look like CBS has any intention of soft-pedaling its black-and-white TV activity, judging from (1) first formal rate card issued this week for WCBS-TV, (2) attractive mailing piece just published, in form of magazine cover with inside listing heavy schedule of Madison Square Garden and Baker Field sports telecasts, all Ford-sponsored, (3) new card survey by its "Television Audience Research Institute," seeking to learn how many families have TV sets, what New York stations they can get, whether pictures are clear or poor. This survey service will in future report on audience reactions to programs, commercials, etc., and is offered free to clients. WCBS-TV rates are based on use of facilities rather than time, do not include variable extras such as talent, costumes, sets, props. CBS offers to produce, cast and direct, or else allows client to retain complete authority over program, and as yet imposes no rules governing length of commercials. Rates are: Up to 15 minutes, §60; 15-30 minutes, §90; 30-60 minutes, §150; each additional quarter-hour or fraction, §37.50. Rates are same for sound film. Time signals and weather reports are §30 each when sound film is supplied by client. Editorial supervision of program material and ad copy comes under Leonard Hole, promoted this v/eek to assistant director of TV under Director Worthington Miner. LEE HATS GOES TV, TOO: Hot on radio are the Lee Hat interests of Danbury, Conn. , sponsor of Drew Pearson, seeker of an FM station in Danbury (Supplement No. 14-P) , projected sponsor of Pearson on TV hookup of DuMont's WABD-V/TTG, Washington-New 5fork. Pearson would be first regular commentator in TV, starts Dec. 17 or 19 for 13 weeks, telecasting from Washington for half hour with guest politicos, charts, films, etc. Commercial will be already-prepared industrial film. Sponsor was sold oy ABC, account handled by Wm. H. Weintraub & Co. This additional big-time sponsor for TV was announced in wake of unique lontract-signing ceremony for TV time Monday. Chevrolet executives, seated in )uMont studios in Washington, signed for reported §200,000 time deal (Vol. 2, lo. 46) with DuMont people in New York, each viewing the other on twin screens. lampbell-Ewald' s TV chief. Win Cass, arranged setup, seen presaging new type of msiness conferences in future.