Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

night of June 6. It disclosed (1) that 54.5% of city's sets v/ere tuned in when Dodgers-Cubs game was being telecast via WCBS-TV and other sports were being shov/n on city's other TV stations — more than double 23% sets-in-use average for ordinary radios; (2) 6.26 persons per home set were looking in — 3.74 men, 1.52 women, 1.0 children — which compares with 2.5 persons per set who listen to radio; (3) three out of 4 viewers could identify sponsor (Ford). CBS conclusion: "Sports in TV is a terrific sales vehicle." — ----SJGH7 AND SOUND ■■■■■ Next phase of l’affaire Petrillo, while lawyers still mull effects of Supreme Court decision upholding Lea Bill and of Taft-Hurtley anti-featherbedding provisions (Vol. 3, No. 26), will be music czar’s personal appearance Monday, July 7, before House investigating committee headed by Rep. Kearns (R-Pa.), including Reps. Nixon (R-Cal.) and Braden (D-N. C.). Congressman Kearns, himself an AFM card holder, didn’t go to Interlochen, Mich, to conduct kid orchestra July 4. Hearing will probe Petrillo’s FM and TV restrictions, among other things. There’ll be plenty of ruffled feathers among radio folk, most particularly network v.p.’s, when MGM releases “The Hucksters,” travesty of radio advertising. Those who’ve seen screenings of Clark Gable picture say it’s a devastating satire. Film people are looking to outbursts from radio for publicity buildup; as to satire, they say radio ought to be able to take it, just as movie industry itself has for years — also, that radio talks so much about freedom, it should respect movies’ freedom. White Bill has been put over until Congress reconvenes in January. Senator White said press of other legislation precludes action on Communications Act amendments this session since Congress is scheduled to adjourn July 26. Both Senators Johnson and Capehart (members of the subcommittee who have faithfully attended hearings) have indicated some changes will have to be made in proposals before it is acceptable to them, certainly before industry or FCC will go along with measure. Flat rejection of industry contention FCC should have no power for program review may be expected. NAB members are now voting whether to elect directors at large for FM Class A and Class B stations, also for TV and FX; bylaws require 25 stations in these new categories before board representation. NAB’s FM Dept, may be turned over to Art Stringer, promotion manager, or to Royal V. Howard, engineering chief — Bob Bartley having resigned. Networks are now off NAB board (and NAB loses $65,000 revenue from them) as result of 629-28 referendum (among 1,300 membership), but nets retain associate memberships at $5,000 per year. No strings on M&O stations on board; in fact, Harold Fellows, WEEI-CBS, Boston, was recently elected for District 1. Lemke Bill (H.J. Res. 78) hearings were called off after 36 hours of hectic scurrying by FCC, FMA, NAB, and others interested. Hearings had been scheduled for July 8, and even FCC Chairman Denny was ready to hurry back to Washington from Atlantic City international conferences. Single casual ofFer of 6 sticks of bubble gum, made by “Handy Man” sponsored Friday nights on Philadelphia’s WPTZ led to 2,500 separate requests in 2 weeks. City’s estimated TV sets total 6,000, so Gimbel’s ad chief, David Arons, called 40% response “phenomenal.” Up from ABC ranks: Charles C. (Bud) Barry becomes program v.p. Aug. 1, his duties including TV, succeeding Adrian Sarnish, who goes to Show Productions Inc., producing subsidiary of Dancer-Fitzgerald-Sample agency. Westinghouse has test-flown its new Glenn Martin “Stratovision” plane, but only to measure noise and vibration effects. When it goes aloft this autumn for radio tests, actual TV transmissions will be carried for first time. Airborne tests will be third phase in “Chile” Nobles’ development— hoisting radiators into stratosphere to inci'ease AM, FM, TV coverage (Vol. 3, No. 8; Vol. 2, No. 21; Vol. 1, No. 1). If tests prove out, Westinghouse will probably put system into use in conjunction with its own AM-FM stations, including Boston where it is also building TV. John Royal’s assurance to politicos, actors, etc., that makeup isn’t needed in TV, thanks to Image Orthicon, isn’t quite borne out by “5 o’clock shadow” on faces of some telecast subjects. Orthicon is so sensitive it penetrates skin of clean shaven man, so that dark-bearded subjects (like FCC’s Chairman Denny, NBC’s Carleton Smith) appear bearded on TV. Others (like NBC’s Frank Russell, D. C. Comr. Guy Mason) aren’t affected at all. So it looks like dark-bearded chaps may have to use makeup to look themselves on TV screen. Obviously aiming at Zenith’s Gene McDonald (Vol. 3, No. 25), Capt. Bill Eddy (WBKB, Chicago) said this week: “Yesterday, it was said that television was so expensive its economic problems could never be solved. Today, when actual operation disproves that contention, the public is told that our frequencies are no good. From our point of view, there’s nothing wrong with television that can’t be cured by the practical experience gained by putting regular programs on the air.” Look for Daytime Petitioners Assn, to broaden base to cover clear channel and daytime skywave cases, thus open ranks to more than 75 daytimers that have indicated such interest to President Howard Hayes, WPIK, Alexandria, Va. Group was formed last year to seek revision of NARBA-approved Mexican Class 1-A channels, so as to permit night operation by American stations on those frequencies. FM Day of National Radio Week will be Oct. 29, to be celebrated with special programs and ballyhoo for FM. Industry promotion week, Oct. 26-Nov. 1, will urge upon broadcasters: “Multiply listeners, reach more ears,” and upon public: “A radio in every room, a radio for every purpose.” TV Channel No. 9 (186-192 me) was withdrawn from Detroit by FCC Thursday, so it can be used in Windsor, Canada. This gives Detroit 4 channels (correct allocation table on page 8 of TV Rules, Supp. 17, accordingly), of which 3 are already assigned (Supp. 18-C). Consumers Union is advising its subscribers, in June issue, to wait a bit longer before buying radios with FM, claiming present prices too high but foreseeing reductions and improved quality in future. With excusable exuberance, the 4 young veterans who own WFRS(FM), Grand Rapids, report they’re in the black, operating with full (10.5 kw) power, have been heard steadily well over 100 miles, program 15 hours daily.