Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

jumps from South Bend to New Carlisle, Ind. , 10 miles; to Michigan City, Ind. , 15 miles; to Chicago, 26 miles — and thus will permit telecasts of Notre Dame games; may be extended for Indianapolis Speedway races. WBXB also is considering linking with Champaign, 111., 85 miles, for U of Illinois games; Lafayette, Ind., 75 miles, for Purdue games. Other developmental microwave links for TV are: AT&T, New YorkBoSton and New York-Philadelphia ; GE, New York-Chicago ; Raytheon, New York-Boston and New York-Chicago; Philco, Philadelphia-New York. FM AHD A FRIENDLY MR. PETRILLO: When ABC's Mark Woods says he thinks James Caesar Petrillo will soon come to a "satisfactory agreement" on duplication of AM programs via FM, you can feel pretty well assured that something's astir. As far as we can discern, it's this: Petrillo has been persuaded (in informal talks with Mark Woods and others in radio with whom he has maintained friendly relations) that FM draws its listeners away from AM , hence does not enlarge audience, hence does not depreciate employment opportunities for his musicians. Mark Woods told reporters on the Coast last week that the AM czar was open to reason — and, indeed, that's what we hear from other quarters, too. Everything awaits Supreme Court's decision on Lea Bill, of course ; also outcome of current labor legislation on Capitol Hill, which likewise outlaws Petrillo 's type of "made work." If Lea Act is declared unconstitutional (as many attorneys think it will), Petrillo will be most amenable to parleys on AM-FM duplication — at least, so he has indicated. But not with NAB. To NAB'S requests for further talks on whole^ music situation, he has not even deigned to reply. But to overtures on behalf of FM, he has been quite friendly — particularly when informed FMA and NAB are separate and distinct organizations. He makes no bones about his dislike of NAB, which he blames (not entirely justly) for the drastic Lea Act. So, though promotion of FM is FMA's primary raison d'etre, don't be surprised to find Petrillo discussing AM-FM duplication with FMA soon after Supreme Court decision. CUTTING INTO THE FM BACKLOG: That aged grandpappy of all FM hearings, the Boston cases, finally came to focus when FCC issued proposed decision Wednesday to grant all but Northern Corp. (WMEX). Seven grantees are listed in Supplement No. 50-F herewith. WMEX counsel indicated appeal, auguring more delays — probably beyond July 1 when 2 more "reserved" channels are available. FCC made up mind full year and 6 weeks after FM enthusiast Comr. Durr opened hearing in Boston, and after 2 of original 10 applicants got cold feet. Among factors contributing to delay were : (1) Durr's decision to bow out of case; his secretary is understood to be related to a WMEX principal. (2) FCC only recently decided v/hat to do about overlap; Yankee had one (Vol. 3, No. 15). (3) One-to-a-customer rule had to undergo breakdown (Vol. 2, No. 52). Finalization of FM reallocation plan (Vol. 3, No. 19), which may come next week, should precipitate flock of decisions, since some 60 applications are tied up in cities which will then have enough channels to go around (Vol. 3, No. 15). Then, backlog will consist mostly of new applications which will need only about 3-week "incubation" period before being granted. Holding up reallocation is determination of what ratios should be established between desired and undesired signals for 400 and 600 me separation. Experiments next week with WINX-FM, Washington, and WGAY-FM, Silver Spring, Md., should give some answers. Also holding the thing up is difficulty of getting the Commission together nowadays. REPORT ON TV RECEIVERS: Latest from the TV manufacturers: Philco 's hush-hush re ceivers (Vol. 3, No. 7) will be unveiled very soon now; its distributors will get first showing at Atlantic City meeting, June 17-19. Stromberg-Carlson' s 2 models, one a TV-only consolette, the other a combnation TV-FM-AM phono, won't get to dealers before early fall, prices still undetermined, says President Ray ManSon ; they will be shown, along with company's full line of radios, all with 2-band FM,