Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

retoucher. They turn out 3 full hours of " programming" per day. Receiving points have Shown v/irephoto pictures 15 minutes after filing in New York. Best record to now for complete news page from start to reception, including editing and complete makeup by IBM typewriter, is 11 minutes. Hot dispatches are broadcast direct by pasting up teletype copy 30 seconds after last period. Knight's enthusiasm for fax (Vol. 3, No. 9), his high place in newspaper world, led all press associations to cover tests. Next definitive report on fax will shortly be published by Editorial Research Reports, Washington, whose Kendrick Lee has been making study. KEYDEY OF THE SOOTHSAYERS: Another educated guess on FM production comes in the March "Radio & Television Retailing," whose pages are devoted largely to impressing upon dealers that "FM is that great new something in radio!" But the CaldwellClement s publication's figures are still guesswork, to be sure — in same category as RMA President Cosgrove's estimate of 2 million FMs this year (Vol. 3, No. 4) and Stromberg-Carlson President Manson's 3-4% million (Vol. 3, No. 2). But first 1947 figures aren't quite So promising — only 51,318 units in January (Vol. 3, No. 9). "Radio & Television Retailing" reckons that, inasmuch as industry leaders figure 15-18 million radios of all kinds will be produced in 1947, 20% of them FM continued growth in Same ratio can be expected in 1948. So its pre-count is: 3.200.000 FMs selling for $320,125,000 in 1947; 6,200,000 for $496,326,000 in 1948; 12.140.000 for $728,400,000 in 1949. Whooping it up for dealers, it tells them that average midget set sells for $22-50, average, table model $49.50, average table "combo" (phonograph) $99.50; that if they sell all 3, they get $171.50; that if they sell one FM-combo, they get $355. ■■ ■■ '■ SIGHT AND SOUND : Not much doubt how NAB’s engineering executive committee feels about “mad rush” for new AM stations and plethora of grants — they don’t like it, but at same time admit there’s nothing they can do about it. At meeting this week, chairmanned by WHA’s Orrin Towner, they asked NAB to urge officially on FCC that it make new grants in “strict adherence” to engineering standards. But they wouldn’t say that isn’t being done now, except for one member’s allusion to alleged remark by an FCC commissioner that deluge of AM grants may “mess up AM band” so badly they will all have no choice but to turn to FM. Committee has recommended new NAB engineering chief, soon to be named; voted to reconstitute transcription standards panel and have it make study looking toward new standards; recommended NAB work with FCC and CAA on problems of locating antenna towers. Broadcasting industry placed orders for $26,476,087 worth of transmitting and studio equipment during 1946, got delivery of $6,491,067 worth, RMA reported Friday. AM accounted for major portion of transmitter buying — $10,469,072 ordered, $2,401,303 filled. FM orders amounted to $4,753,669, deliveries $752,259. TV orders totaled $4,740,899, deliveries $845,141, AM-FM studio equipment orders amounted to $4,372,514, deliveries $1,784,060. TV studio equipment orders were $709,712, deliveries $72,127. RMA committee on FM (Vol. 3, No. 8) plans to meet March 28 at New York’s Roosevelt Hotel, when it expects to have figures on manufacturers’ 1947 FM production, actual and contemplated. Questionnaires to set makers went out this weekend. After studying answers, committee, Philco’s Larry Hardy, chairman, will make arrangements to meet with FMA group on FM set production. Chicago’s TV-boosting Electric Assn, claims Alderman Moss’ use of paid time on WBKB was first political electioneering yet by TV — forerunner of what will be commonplace in 1948 national elections. “Very hot item” is what Chicago dealers term Sears Roebuck’s $169.50 wire recorder-phonograph-AM table model which this week jumped from rumor state (Vol. 3, No. 8) onto shelves of city’s 22 Sears stores. Set includes hand mike and one spool of wire (which, running an hour and costing $4.98, would seem too long and too expensive for average use). If set is trouble-free and fidelity is as satisfactory as claimed, it will prove very rough competition for other recorders which are being offered for $150$250 without radio or record player. Rural and small town TV service by satellites is envisioned in March Science Illustrated. Article sees microwave relay stations also rebroadcasting TV programs for areas unable to support local stations. Such service, of course, presumes FCC approval of satellites — which has been recommended by industry (Vol. 3, No. 5). Story also has two-page pictorial spread of new TV receivers, including Telicon TV-FM-AM table model, first such picture we’ve seen. Interest in printed circuits (Vol. 2, No. 46) and other war-learned production shortcuts continues to grow among set manufacturers, particularly among newcomers with no old equipment to amortize. For example, newcomer Orthon Corp., Paterson, N. J., is giving serious consideration to printed circuits. Among established manufacturers, Belmont and Emerson have stated intention of using the new tricks. A Belmont executive says May deliveries will include such circuits, but his enthusiasm is temperate — “some labor savings” amounting to “pennies” at present. Borden Co. is employing Kenyon & Eckhardt as agency in staging new Sunday night TV series on NBC’s WNBT, New York, starting March 16 with one-act play, “The Florist Shop.” WNBT also announces addition of Benrus to time-signal sponsors, through J. D. Tarcher & Co. Other watch companies who are using or have used TV: Bulova, Elgin, Gruen, Waltham.