Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

at National Assn, of Music Merchants show m Chicago June 2-5. Raytheon’s subsidiary, Belmont, now plans limited production, starting next month, of $250 model, to be marketed first in New York, Philadelphia, Washington. And that new $375 Crosley table model (Vol. 3, No. 19), called the 307-TA and looking very much like RCA's 650-TS, is actually being produced by RCA Camden, according to trade reports which RCA won't confirm or deny. No ‘One has yet come forth with really cheap TV, and prospects aren't good yet. This week RCA showed what it calls "most versatile instrument" it ever produced — its Model 641-TV, which combines in one console TV, FM, AM, shortwave, automatic phono. It has 19-inch tube, uses new automatic brilliance control for uniform brightness. "Suggested retail price" is $795, not counting installation, which compares with GE's projected No. 802 (Vol. 3, No. 11). RCA also plans other super-dooper models this year. U.S. Television Corp. , in high price field with projection-screen sets, has cut price of $2,540 model to $2,275, but hikes installation fee from. $85 to $100; it also has new $1,995 and $895 models with TV-FM-AM phono. Telicon Corp. , also appealing mostly to taverns, clubs, etc., prices its new Town Club model with big screen at $1,995. — ~ S3GH7 AMD SOUND :■ ■ ■■ Confusion of FM dial numbering bothers oldtime FM operator Lester Nafzger of WELD, Columbus, 0. He urges that problem (megacycle or channel-number designation), which is about as old as FM itself, be resolved by universal use of channel numbers. He finds fractions involved in megacycle designations unnecessarily confusing to layman. Also, he suggests that listeners’ job of tuning FM sets be eased by building tuning indicator into all sets until push-buttons are common. RMA expects to get industry unanimity on this question of marking dials with channels or frequencies at June 10-12 convention at Chicago. In light of WOKO precedent, chances are slim WORL, Boston, will win new lease on life — but Attorney Ben Fisher this week filed exceptions to FCC’s decision. ordering it off air Aug. 31 for alleged misrepresentations. Since FCC will doubtless stick to decision, court appeal is certain, assuring present ownership perhaps another year’s grace. Meanwhile, 2 applicants seek its facilities (AM Directory No. 1), several more are known to be planning to apply. A really tough code for broadcasters is in prospect, judging from temper of this week’s meetings of NAB committee on standards in New York — but it won’t be ready for submission to NAB board (which meets in Washington May 21) until October convention. NBC’s Ken Dyke heads subcommittee rewriting drafts, which must again be okayed by full standards committee (MBS’s Robert D. Swezey, chairman) before action by NAB hierarchy. “Upstairs” TV took a cut this week, when the Commission finalized its 470-960 me allocations (Vol. 3, No. 18). TV’s experimental band was reduced from 480-920 me to 500-890 me, although another 25 me band (475-500 me) is made available on a share basis with fax and developmental broadcasting. New allocations included 915 me for industrial and diathermy equipment. Biggest contract in radio history ($5,200,000 time sale) was closed Thursday by ABC, covering 4-sponsor hookup for “Paul Whiteman Club,” daily Mondays through Fridays, 3:30-4:30 p.m., starting June 30. Joint sponsors are National Biscuit, Camels, Southern Cotton Oil Co., Nestle’s Milk Products. Nathan H. David has withdrawn from partnership, is setting up own offices, leaving Washington law firm’s name Courtney, Krieger & Jorgensen. All are former FCC counsel. Change your file copy of Attorney Directory (Supplement No. 11A) accordingly. To have chapters in every city with TV outlets — Washington, Philadelphia, Detroit, St. Louis, Chicago next — is aim of American Television Society, which last week elected as new officers: Don McClure, N. W. Ayer & Son, president; Bert Taylor, DuMont, v.p.; Dian Dincin, Pictorial Research Inc., secy; Archibald Braunfield, treasurer. Directors are: George Shupert, Paramount, retiring president; Charles Alicoate, Charles J. Durban, Jack Levine, Paul Mowrey, Ed Sobol, Edward Stasheff. Not broadcasters, but users of FM nevertheless, operators and imminent operators of mobile radio equipment are earmarking huge sums for equipment says FCC. Cab operators alone plan to lay out some $15,000,000. Telephone companies already expect to buy $10,500,000 worth. Since all these mobile operators are still experimental, although FCC has permitted some to charge for service, they’ll be out in force to protect investment during hearings on commercial rules starting Sept. 8. NBC’s Washington TV station, WNBW, should be on the air in next few days. This week it got ST A to begin commercial operation anytime after May 23; it is shooting for grand opening early in June. NBC got its first post war FM going this week — an STA to WRC-FM, Washington. Next NAB study of FM operations will be on KOZY, Kansas City. In the hands of members are first two — about WBCA, Schenectady, and WSYR-FM, Syracuse. Meaty and valuable studies will be continued from time to time as FM picture changes. FCC has set July 7 for resumption of clear channel hearings — but CCBS still has hopes it can get deferment until mid-October due to doctor’s, orders that Counsel Louis G. Caldwell take it easy all summer. GE is making available its new Technicolor film, “Naturally It’s FM,” x-ecounting advantages of FM over ordinary type of broadcasting. It will be shown at FMA’s district meeting in Cincinnati, May 28. Philadelphia bolstered its bid this week for 1948 Democratic national convention by citing accessibility to TV, which was factor in getting it GOP convention starting June 20, 1948 (Vol. 3, No. 17). Democrats must decide. FMA-KMA meeting on FM set production, scheduled for May 21, has been postponed until sometime in June. Some RMA committeemen couldn’t make it for next week.