Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

exits you to hear FM. " For all their enthusiasm, however, the educators are still able to show only this boxscore on the business end of FM: 6 licenses, 29 CPs, 15 applications pending (Supplement No. 50). GE, meanwhile, is still pushing its tailor-made FM 2)4 waiter for campus use (Vol. 5, No. 13). It claims useful (5-6 mile) coverage, low intial cost ($4,000$5,000), simplicity of power increase if desired. Question Such minute pov/er raises in FCC engineering quarters, which must yet approve idea of such low power, is whether coverage is adequate, warrants occupancy of a channel. GE will seek to clinch argument when FCC entourage, including Comrs. Durr, Wakefield and Hyde, arrive May 20 in Syracuse where Syracuse U station WJIV has been operating for some weeks. Announcement of new transmitter has precipitated flood of inquiries. _ ■ — S33H7 AND SOUND ■ — r----- Net workAFM deal for wage increases for some 300 staff musicians at 4 New York key stations was announced this week, retroactive to Feb. 2. Staff musicians on sustaining and commercials get raise from $126-$165 to $151-$ 191, rehearsal rate on individual program goes up from $6 to $7.50; half-hour broadcast rate goes up from $14 to $18, one-hour from $18 to $23. Local 802 dropped demand for vacations. Constitutionality of Lea Act, argued before Supreme Court Monday, should be known before end of high court’s mid-June term. Government stressed monopoly aspect of musician’s union and power of Petrillo; AFM attorneys said anti-Petrillo law denied free speech, imposed involuntary servitude, was too vague and general. Justices interrupted arguments frequently with pointed questions on meaning of “coercive’’ and other provisions of the Act. Looks like a buyers’ market in radio, all right. Witness rash of price slashes, and slowdowns that caused some *4,000 factory layoffs in New York, Chicago areas alone. Even small sets aren’t moving fast. Which leads FM enthusiasts to say FM offers best new sales appeal. Stromberg-Carlson reports that by mid-summer all its table models as well as consoles will be FM-equipped. Majestic’s new line includes 6 sets with FM. Production bottleneck in some plants is still wood; Zenith and Freed, for example, are said to have thousands of chassis stacked up waiting for cabinets. NBC cut off Bob Hope for 5 seconds Tuesday, then issued a press release reaffirming “clearcut policy banning cross-reference to programs on other networks.” Hope was about to call attention to Sinatra program on CBS. Episode, like l’affaire Allen (Vol. 3, No. 18), got lots of publicity, but this time NBC wouldn’t admit “mistake” which President Trammell told RCA stockholders’ meeting was made in cutting off Fred Allen. Out of closed appropriations subcommittee hearings, presided over by arch FCC critic Rep. Wigglesworth (R-Mass.), came word this week that Chairman Denny did “masterful” job in pleading for $7,300,000 budget, held goodwill of committeeman, got few kickbacks. But in light of GOP economy drive, it’s almost certain budget will be slashed. FCC itself will have to wield ax after final figure is determined; scuttlebutt has it Economics Division probable heaviest loser. Keith Kiggins, ex-ABC v.p., has organized Keith Kiggins & Co., 527 Lexington Ave., New York City, consultants on management, financing, appraising and industrial problems of radio. He’s also a principal in grant last week of new fulltime 5 kw on 1330 kc in Erie, Pa. Radio Consultants Inc., Washington, has scheduled second clinic on problems of FM management and operation in Washingtons Hotel Statler June 26-28. Notable about this week’s 3 STAs (which now total 169) is the power they’re achieving. WEW-FM, St. Louis (42.6 kw) and WLVA-FM, Lynchburg, Va. (3.7 kw) go on with full CP power*. Except for KSBR, San Bruno, Cal. (Vol. 3, No. 17), former is probably highest-powered highband station going. WMRC-FM, Greenville, S. C., will start with 10 kw transmitter and 4-bay antenna. In race for highest ultimate power, KSTP-FM, St. Paul, again loses lead — this time to WBRC-FM, Birmingham, which this week was granted modification hiking output to 560 kw with 625 ft. antenna. Big question in Philadelphia FM is what happens now that Commission has approved sale of WDAS to theaterman William Goldman. Since Goldman was not licensee of WDAS when FM hearing was held last September, change of ownership poses question whether FCC can grant WDAS application for FM if station is one of those found qualified in hearing decision still awaited. The several alternatives include (1) reopening record in order to put Goldman’s qualifications in record, or (2) straight denial of WDAS application on grounds new owner was not among those seeking 4 available channels. Goldman has petition at Commission asking for grant or reopening of hearing record so he can enter his qualifications. In applying to rejoin TBA, which it quit in 1945 because of association’s opposition to color TV system, CBS indicated this week its intention of working with budding industry on black-and-white. Network has laid off some 40 technicians, however, is planning chief attention on news and sports events. No very great enthusiasm for FM was evinced at NAB’s District No. 2 meeting in New York early this week. Scant 50 attended FM panel first day — although NAB reported 125 registrants— -and heard NAB’s Bob Bartley on FM’s status today, WBCA’s Leonard Asch on FM rate structures, WABF’s Ira Hirschmann on need for AMers to exert leadership in FM, WQXQ’s John Hogan on FM programming. Question period drew a complete blank. If you want names of chief engineers of most of the FM stations listed in our FM Directory (Supplement No. 50), we call your attention to list published in May issue of Tele-Tech (Caldwell-Clements Inc., 480 Lexington Ave., New York), based on its own survey. GE has promoted Philip G. Caldwell, heretofore handling TV equipment, to manager of transmitter sales. James D. McLean, former manager of GE transmitter sales, has joined Philco’s WPTZ, Philadelphia, as commercial manager. Maj. Gen. Henry C. Ingles, recently retired Army chief signal officer (succeeded by Maj. Gen. Spencer Akin), has been named president of RCA Institutes Inc., training school subsidiaxy of RCA.