Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

Alls STILL DOMINANT IN FM: Cross-checking final galley proofs of our new AM Directory v.rith our FM Directory (Supplement No. 50 to 50-E) , we find AMers still the big guns of FM. Of 1,712 AMs listed, 726 (45%) are in for FM. They comprise 69% of the 1,048 FM grants and applications. Thus, only 322 FMs are without AM affiliations, though many of these "independents" are applying for AM. When we compared AMs and FMs back in October (Vol. 2, No. 42), AMS and AM applicants held 65% of FM. Sparsely-oopulated western states and new CP-holders are the. major holdouts. For example, not one New Mexico AM, not even 50 kw KOB, Albuquerque (though it holds TV grant), has applied for FM. Only one of Nevada's 10 has applied, 2 of Arizona's 24. But 51 of Texas' 127 AMs (largest number in any state) are in there. As for the hestitant CP-holders, we've noticed their reluctance doesn't persist for long. Generally, after they've been on the air a few months, they join the. FM bandwagon, particularly if their competition is already aboard. CROSLSY’S $375 TV SET READY: Next brand-name receiver to hit market will be Croslev's table model, with 10-inch tube. It will retail at $375 plus installation and warranty — same as RCA'S 630-TS, most numerous model yet produced. Crosley .reports production starts May 15, planned at rate of 1,000 per month for remainder of year. Dealers in all cities having TV service will get small quotas. .Crosley console set with AM-FM-shortwave-phono added, to sell at $800, is due in September. Meanwhile, Stromberg-Carlson, Farnsworth, Stewart -Warner and Majestic have been Showing distributors their TV models, soon to be ready for shipment. And small Remington Radio Corp. , White Plains, N.Y., announced a $995 ensemble consisting of master unit housing TV-FM, plus 2 matching units — one for AM, other for automatic phonograph. TV-FM unit can be. bought separately for $795. Remington will concentrate distribution of its 50-per-week production in New York area. United States Television Corp. , marketing higher priced (up to $2,495) projection-screen models chiefly to taverns,, etc., announced it's about ready to market 10-inch tube model, including AM-FM-phono, to sell at $895. TIMETABLE FOB HEW TV STATIONS: What's the prospect for more TV stations in more cities this year? Only fair, it would seem. A scant dozen among the 54 holders of CPs for new stations (Supplement No. 18-C) tell us they expect to be on the air, with test patterns at least, within the next 7 or 8 months. But we'll settle for a half dozen, besides the 4 already operating with temporary equipment under STAs (KTLA, Los Angeles; WTTG, Washington; WWDT, Detroit; KSD-TV, St. Louis). Primary reason given for delay — unavailability of equipment — won't be valid very much longer, for transmitters are now on production line. RCA said last week it is now producing several transmitters monthly, and DuMont and GE say they can deliver. Up against actuality of being required to utilize their assigned frequency or give up their CPs, several grantees are almost certain (by this time next year) to feel that FCC ax. Before then, FCC expects many more eager applicants. Next station to go on the air will be NBC's W'NBW, Washington, whose transmitter in Wardman Park Hotel should be ready for tests by June 1. In same city, Washington Star's WTVW began construction of transmitter building a few weeks ago, expects to be telecasting in September. Likewise, in nearby Richmond, Havens & Martin's W'TVR is already under construction. Should be ready by fall. Philadelphia Inquirer's WFIL-TV has been promised summer delivery of equipment, is' building studio and transmitter in Widener Bldg., expects to get going before year's end. Westinghouse says "sometime this fall" for tits WBZ-TV, Boston. Crosley' s experimental W8XCT, Cincinnati, is already operating on test from Carew Tower, can and probably will be transposed into commercial WLWT within next few months. Scripps-Howard' s WEWS, Cleveland, looks for "opening in October, if all goes well." Chicago Tribune's WGNA reports construction will start this summer, be completed this. fall. Milwaukee Journal says its WTMJ-TV should have transmitter on