Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

NEXT TV SETS, NEXT T CITY: To the nearly 30 radio manufacturers who reported, in response to our questionnaires, that they're definitely planning ,TV set production this year (Vol. 3, Nos. 7, 13, 14), you can add Hallicraf ters , Majestic, and a new company called Colonial Television Corp. (about which we know little yet except that it isn't connected with Sylvania's subsidiary. Colonial Radio Corp., Buffalo). Hallicraf ters tells us its sets will be consoles with AM-FM-phono and possibly wire recorder — no other information. Majestic says its first model will be console, with 6}£x8J4-inch image — that's all. Colonial firm is located at 225-18 Merrick Road, Laurelton, L.I., N.Y. , states in not-very-inf ormative' leaflet that its "Vision Master," retailing at $199 with apparently no installation or servicing charge, is "lowest price set now available." Where it's available, we don't know, but we'll find out and report soon. And you can look for announcement any day now of limited production of new Crosley TV receivers, presumably to be marketed first in Cincinnati area where company-built experimental video station in Carew Tower (in words of Jimmy Shouse) "has been completely tested with entirely satisfactory results." Thus Cincinnati may be next addition to ”T" cities (Supplement 18-C) . Crosley v/ill have 3 outlets — in Cincinnati, big transmitter to be located atop Clifton Hill; Columbus, new Site to be chosen in lieu of AIU Tower first designated, now deemed structurally unsound; Dayton, Several sites under option. HEW YORK FM NOT SETTLED YET: Seems pretty certain that FCC's proposed New York FM decision, picking 5 out of 17 applicants (Vol. 3, No. 16), is going to rehearing, possibly litigation. Commission lawyers this week were looking into affairs of WAAW, Newark (Bremer) , and results may have bearing on whether FC'C will grant extension of its completion date despite fact its request came in after 1942-granted CP had expired. Even if extension is granted laggard WAAW, these lawyers foresee trouble ahead — since any one of the 12 rejectees can (and somebody probably will) cite Ashbacker decision as basis for rehearing for additional available channel. Another out for denied New Yorkers (besides exceptions, and only WiEVD has so far indicated it would file exceptions) is for them to ask for the 4 reserved channels due to be released July 1. That's what Chicago's WAIT has done; losing out in that city's FM grants (Vol. 3, No. 11), WAIT was granted permission to. amend application for reserved channel, though ordinarily denied applicants must wait year before reapplying. So far, only 3 others have asked for reserved channels — CBS's WTOP for Washington, AM CP-holder WPGH for Pittsburgh, AM CP-holder WLOA for Braddock, Pa. P308LZM C? BIG CITY CLASS A1 s: How many Class A (community-type) FM stations can be placed in and around a metropolitan area — Los Angeles, for example? That's what FCC seeks to determine in designating, but not yet scheduling, first Class A hearing yet, involving 15 applicants from Los Angeles metropolitan area (Supplement No. 50). They must not only sell themselves but also need for FM service, in their communities. For instance: if 2 stations can go into Glendale, that might pre clude any for San Fernando. Or, there might be overlap as between contiguous San Pedro and Alhambra. And then, there's the question whether Class A stations should be permitted at all in central cities of a metropolitan district, such as Hollywood and San Pedro, in the light of Sec. 3.203(b) of proposed FM rules changes (Supplement No. 51-A) . OUTLOOK FOR MORE TV OUTLETS: In the 5 weeks Since FCC decided color TV issue (Vol. 3, No. 12), not a single new application for TV station has been filed — but radio lawyers and equipment manufacturers assure us several will be filed soon. They say certain well-heeled interests are simply biding their time because there seems to be no rush for the remaining and (except in a few bigger cities) still plentiful channels. Also, probably, because of growing fears of business recession. Biggest question-rnark in TV is CBS, whose color plans were rejected, leaving it with one black-and-white station — WCBS-TV, New York. Big network has maintained discreet silence since FCC's decision, has shown no signs of soreheadness.