Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

STSAWS IH Tins TV WIND: Back into the TV swim this week came Milwaukee Journal. AM-FM pioneer and pre-war holder of CP for Channel No. 3, which it dropped last May on plea it preferred to experiment with uhf (Vol. 2, No. 18). Without even waiting for FCC to resolve low vs. high band argument. Journal reapplied for No. 5 (60-66 me) , proposing 5 kw video and aural and asking (though rules require at least 500 ft.) that it be permitted for time being to use old 300-ft tower originally designated. Thus it can get on air reasonably soon, for it already has much of necessary equipment. Application says RCA transmitter is on order, proposes total 3390,500 expenditure on TV plant, including these major items: transmitter, $78,000; antenna system, $88,750; studio, $93,000; building, $102,000. Milwaukee Journal application, only one from that city (though it is entitled to 4 channels) and first new one for TV to be filed in many months, reached FCC at about time it was advised Dorothy S. Thackrey (New York Post) had withdrawn from New York and San Francisco, though retaining Los Angeles application. This necessitates rewriting of nearly-ready report on New York hearing (5 now seeking 4 channels), and we're now told neither New York nor Los Angeles hearing reports will be ready before Christmas. (Mrs. Trackrey's WLIB, incidentally, also dropped out of New York FM contest this week, having previously withdrawn FM in Los Angeles and San Francisco, too.) Another significant TV note; Zenith's J. E. Brown, testifying at FCC hearing Wednesday in support of uhf color TV, repeated Comdr. Gene McDonald's avowal Zenith has no faith in black-and-white, will never manufacture low-band sets . Thereupon, he was asked by Comdr. Jett v;hat Zenith intends to do with Chicago TV grant it got last May (Vol. 2, No. 18). Brown replied it may be assumed it will be dropped, which means 3 channels are still available in Chicago. JUMP IN m APPLICANTS: After long hiatus, new FM applications filed with FCC showed Sudden spurt this week (Supplement No. 14-Q herewith). Seven arrived in last 2 days, making total of 22 since issuance of Supplement 14-P. All applications, incidentally, are now being recompiled and collated, along with grants, into a new FM . Directory v;e will issue first week in January. This will be kept up to date with regular addenda, then republished quarterly. Vast majority of latest applicants are MA licensees or applicants, including proposed purchasers of WOOD, Grand Rapids, Mich., and late-coming Citizen-Times .of Asheville, N.C. (WWNC). Latter may have difficulty getting channel since all 3 currently assigned that city have been granted. Noteworthy also is withdrawal of WLiB from New York FM contest, leaving 18 for 5 channels, while New York News filed , long and vigorous brief claiming editorial policy of newspaper applicants was no concern of FCC ; it added American Jewish Congress charges of editorial bias were untenable, anyway (Vol. 2, No. 48). WIST TV SIT PSGBUCERS: Next brand-name TV set to be offered public, now that RCA .and DuMont lines are out (Vol. 2, No. 44, 49) will come from General Electric — 'some time next month. It will be console with 10-in. tube and with AM, costing 'around $500. Later in year, GE's costlier TV-AM-FM-phonograph combination will be ready. Production at Bridgeport receiver plant is still limited, as with others, by materials and components shortages. Early in 1947, Philco's still hush-hush set (Vol. 2, No. 48) should be unveiled. Also Farnsworth's, whose engineering v.p., B. Ray Cummings, at FCC hearing Thursday reported this 1947 production schedule (prices all approximate and not including $50-$60 installation-servicing cost); table model, TV only, $350, due ' February, 15,000 sets; console, TV and AM, $500, due April, 5,000; console with AMphonograph, $650, due May, 3,500; console with AM-phonograph, $800, due August, 2,500. All will have 10-in. tube, tune in 8 channels. New Viewtone table model, 7-in. tube, TV only, is due next week, priced at : around $225 as compared with previous $169.50. Company is now making 7-in. TV-AM, I