Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

COILL STEJKS ANB TQWSBS: Even before John L, Lewis' coal strike, steel output was I’unning under demand — so that radio construction faced that additional handicap. Now, if coal strike lasts any time, outlook becomes gloomier than ever. particularly for towers. Inquiry among tower makers, which we were conducting before the coal strike, elicited this information; Blaw-Knox was quoting 4 months delay, 6 months on special jobs; Ideco (International Derrick), 5 months delay; Wincharger (Zenith Subsidiary), 3 to 5 months. All complained they were not getting enough steel. Strip-steel user V/ind Turbine Co. said it has been getting numerous inquiries because it promised 1 to 3 months delivery. IDIBSCTOBY 0? Most noteworthy fact about our newly revised Directory of Consulting Engineers specializing in broadcasting (Supplement No. 12A herewith) Since its first compilation soma 13 months ago, is the growing number of practitioners since war ended. Same was true about radio attorneys (Supplement No. IIA) . It'S also significant that quite a few more are practicing in cities other than Washington. As was the case with jthe lawyers, just about all of radio's large contingent of engineers in war services are back now, partaking of the business opened up by FCC's increased activity in AM, EM and TV fields. S!GHT AND SOUND: Pearson-Allen application for Baltimore’s WBAL channel (Vol. 2, Nos. 88, 39) was consolidated into hearing ordered on WBAL license renewal — and FCC hearing is set for Jan. 13. Consolidation of cases, seen as acid test of Blue Book, was ordered on premise (in Ashbacker case) that competing applications must all be heard. Counsel are girding for legal battle royal, likely to string out long time and land in courts. Unless promoters of projected new FM Assn, hire a paid executive, or boiTOw a fulltime organizer from one of its sponsoring companies, plan for FM-promotlon setup may come to naught. Very little was accomplished at meetings this week, except for blessing from FCC at luncheon IMonday. On Thursday New York group met with NAB’s Secretary Arney, convention expert, with thought he might help them organize proposed all-industry meeting in January. But nothing was decided, next moves being left to committee: Hofheinz, Dillard, Asch (Vol. 2, No. 46). Joint NAB-RMA industry committee to handle major radio problems — “including the development of FM, TV and other public services” — was appointed this week, is due to meet shortly. Named for NAB: T. A. M. Craven, Cowles Broadcasting Co.; William Fay, WHAM-WHFM, Rochester; Gordon Gray, WSJS-V/MIT, Winston-Salem; Carleton D. Smith, WRC (NBC), Washington; James D. Shouse, WLW, Cincinnati. For RMA: Dr. W. R. G. Baker, GE; Walter Evans, Westinghouse; Frank Folsom, RCA; Paul V. Galvin, Galvin Mfg.; E. A. Nicholas, Farnsworth. Washington area itself is salient example of FCC liberality in AM grants: with two more suburban grants Thursday, 12 stations are now operating or authorized — double number operating at beginning of year. And 5 applications are pending. This, in addition to 10 FM grants (7 of them to AMs), 4 TV permits. Seven-hour AFRA-network se.ssion in New York Friday led to no agx-eement. Union’s proposal networks cut off programs to non-AFRA stations is still crux of dispute, nctworlcs considering such action would constitute secondary boycott. AFRA still threatens nation-wide strike. Telecast Inc., Roanoke Rapids (N. C.) movie operators this week told FCC town was too small to snpi)ort oiie AM, two FM stations, so dropped its CP for FM. With week’s giants (Supplement No. 44G herewith), totals are now: CPs, 872; conditionals, 224. GE has mailed out hundreds of packages of FM promotional material titled, “How to Build an Audience for Your FM Station,” and including promotion ideas, sample ads, spot announcements, booldets, window banners, program listings, etc. Incorporated also was clipsheet, which GE offers to supply on weekly basis, for free. Zenith did same thing several months ago, except its was in form of looseleaf notebook and was accompanied by offer to spot FM sets in new station’s area. Overlapping coverage by commonly-owned AM stations, sometimes permitted by FCC, was attacked this week in petition by Attorney Paul Segal, who charged Commission with inconsistency since overlap is not allowed in FM and TV. Petition grew out of FCC’s proposed decisions to allow WGAR, Cleveland, increase to 50 kw, producing overlap with WJR, Detroit, and to confirm present facilities of WJEF, Grand Rapids, to overlap with WKZO, Kalamazoo. Segal represents WADC, Akron, and WKBZ, Muskegon, which oppose respective grants. IRE’S 1946 Yearbook, listing names of more than 10,000 members, with business connections, office and home addresses, is now being delivered to membership; also included are directories of manufacturers and products. IRE will shortly move into its own new building at 1 E 79th St., New York City, plans its next convention March 3-7 in Hotel Commodore with engineering exhibit at nearby 34th St. Armory. Army-Navy game at Philadelphia Nov. 30 is on agenda of TV pickups to be done by Bell Telephone under STA granted this week by FCC — frequencies in 4200-4400 me band. Granted experimental CP for TV link between Los Angeles and Mt. Wilson was Southern Cal. Telephone Co., to use 3970 and 4170 me. ABC’s new operating boss: Bob Kintner, named executive v. p. last week; he’s a former Washington correspondent, joined ABC after Army service in 1944. In addition to being ABC’s general attorney and secretary, Joe McDonald now is also a v. p. FCC’s F’M section chief, Charles Hubert, is slated to take over Commission’s New York field office, succeeding A1 Guest, resigned, and Hubert’s successor will be one of senior attorneys in Broadcast Division. CBS expects to finish installation of rocket-type antenna for its reconverted WCBS-FM, New York, by end of next week; it’s atop Salmon Tower Bldg, on West 42nd St.