Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

V/HITHEH FBE5S, WHITHER RADIO? Some eloquent statistics on comparative status and trends in the newspaper and radio fields; you can interpret them as you wish: (1) There were 1,765 daily newspapers in U.S. at beginning of 1947, up 14 from preceding year, as against 2,461 in 1916, according to 1947 Editor & Publisher Yearbook. (2) Fewer than 10,000 weekly newspapers remain, as against more than 16,000 in 1910, says report of [Hutchins] Commission on Freedom of the Press, released last week. (3) Approximately 1,600 AM broadcasting stations are licensed or authorized, according to our own current compilations for our forthcoming AM Directory (Vol. 3, No. 9, 11), as against 1,004 at beginning of 1946, 943 in 1945, 733 when Federal Radio Commission was set up in 1927, only 30 in 1922. (4) Pending before FCC are nearly 900 applications for additional AM stations, also to be listed in our AM Directory. (5) There are about 750 FM licensees or grantees, plus nearly 300 pending new station applications (Supplement No. 50 herewith). And, of the AM stations, about one-third are owned in whole or part by newspapers, slightly more in FM. COURTS, CONGRESS & BLUE BOOK: Blue Book issue may at last get court test NAB, some radio attorneys and FCC itself would like. It may get more than that — airing in Congress, where resolution (H. Res. 165) by influential Chairman Wolverton of House Interstate Commerce Committee calls for committee probe that inevitably would embrace censorship and free speech issues raised by Blue Book foes. Current events lend hope for former/ heighten prospect for latter — though we're still bearish on investigations constantly bruited by drum-beating industry elements who can't seem to get into their noggins that today's Congressional climate, echoing unusual rash of criticism of radio, simply isn't conducive to legislation favorable to radio. Court test looks like it will come in appeal of Bay State Beacon Inc., Brockton, Mass., AM applicant proposed for denial on grounds of alleged poor programming promises under Blue Book procedure. Commission held its proposed program Structure, setting up less than 5% for sustaining time, and all of that religious, was "relatively inflexible and less well designed [than those of successful applicant, Plymouth County Broadcasting Co.] to meet community needs." Beacon's attorneys, oft-appealing Segal, Smith & Hennessey, who won precedent-setting Ashbacker case, indicated they would challenge FCC's jurisdiction in program matters, go to court if necessary. Wolverton resolution went to Rules Committee, is understood to have been introduced to forestall select committee investigation (’usually fishing, punitive and headline-hunting expeditions) which Rep. Clarence Brown (R, Ohio) and Rep. Wigglesworth (R, Mass.) were preparing to push. In remarks on introducing bill, the New Jersey Congressman said there were "considerable complaints" about FCC policies and procedures but that inquiry "was not intended as witch hunt." Meanwhile, WBAL court case (Vol. 3, No. 8) , which some regard as testing Blue Book, is due f or^hearing soon; FCC asked for dismissal Friday on grounds WBAL hasn't been injured yet. FM INDEPENDENT PAYS ITS WAY: Best success 'Story we've had from starveling FM broadcasters since Houston's KOPY-FM last Summer reported selling $3, 000-plus worth of time monthly (Vol. 2, No. 34) comes from FM-only Class A station KRCC, of Contra Costa Broadcasting Co., Richmond, Cal. (pop. 23,000), owned by same interests as Daily Independent (circ. 26,500), in San Francisco Bay area. It got on air last Feb. 2, operates 3-10 p.m. daily under STA for 250 watts on 50-ft. pole pending new 275-ft. tower. Secretary Warren Brown Jr. reports it now has 40 sponsors (including Standard Oil, big Breuner furniture chain. Golden Glow beer, auto dealers, bank, mortuary). Best of all, it has been "in black from operating standpoint from day it opened." More and more sponsorship reports are coming in of late, auguring good prospects for FM as advertising medium. Rates usually aren't very high (pending more sets and more "circulation") but advertisers are receptive. Washington's