Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

was in for Concordia, Kan. but dropped that one. They ask for Channel No. 8 (180186 me) with 35 kw visual, 18.5 kw aural power, say they'll spend $300,000 on construction, $20,000 monthly on operation. Studios and transmitter (RCA) will be in 47-story Rogers Lacy Hotel, now building, plans calling for TV set in every room. Dallas Times-Herald at present holds apparently moribund CP for TV. Interstate Theatres Inc. (Paramount) application is pending. City has 3 channels assigned it (Supp. 17), so that Lacy-Potter ' s is third. Possibly now Dallas News (owning 50 kw WFAA) will leap into action, forcing hearing — though it might ask for one of Fort Worth's 3 channels, only one of which has yet been spoken for (grant to Amon Carter's WBAP-Fort Worth Star Telegram). Wilmington application is from Steinman brothers' WDEL, reinstating previously dropped application asking for city's sole assigned channel No. 7 (community). It specifies $114, 500. for construction. It's a natural (as Trenton would be) since it's in strategic position to tap already existing coaxial. Steinmans have no present plans to reinstate other TV applications they once filed but dropped — for Lancaster (WGAL) and Harrisburg (WKBO). Wilmington application also is in line with current thinking among some broadcasters, as reported to us by spokesman for big equipment firm: "One trend seems to be an increasing interest in low powered trans mitters for small communities, particularly if these happen to be located where a relay or network is likely to be constructed." JUMPING THE GUN ON PETRILLO: Fact is that AM-FM duplication has already begun in good many places — and with nary a peep of objection from Jimmy Petrillo, his locals or networks whose shows are being duplicated. It's being done either on advice of individual station counsel or simply in confident expectation music union's ban is about to be lifted. Our ov/n conviction, born of what has transpired on AFM front in recent weeks (Vol. 3, No. 28-31), is that it v/on't be long now before duplication will win full and formal blessing of a now more conciliatory Mr. Petrillo. Indeed, network spokesmen told us as we prepared for press Friday night they expected word from him any moment. "But," said one, "you know how he is — great for those midnight decisions or eleventh hour blitzkriegs." For most part, like zealous FMA, nets seem to feel cards are now stacked in favor of duplication, and they're prepared to pass the good word on to their affiliates the moment they learn Petrillo's mind. Tenor of Hollywood hearings of House Labor subcommittee was also favorable to radio, also indicated more contrite union. Local 47's president Maury Paul made statement AFM has abandoned ban on duplication, leading to speculation whether word had already gone out to locals from Chicago. But there was no verification either from locals or from Jimmy's headquarters. Sought by long distance, his office said he wasn't in but leave your name and we'll tell him you called. Obviously, there had been lots of other inquirers. Those who've dealt with Petrillo are still wary, but it does seem AFM czar is abandoning role of despot, is willing now to do right by Our Nell. AFM took aw ful beating from Don Lee's Lew Weiss (MBS chairman) in Hollywood testimony. Tough ex-cavalryman We iss charged union with having stymied FM and TV, forcing networks to bring local stations to terms by imposing secondary boycotts, running "racket" with standby rules, requiring untenable quota systems, shifting authority from locals to all-powerful Petrillo without notice. Rep. Kearns' quarry now is TV restriction in movie contracts (no music on films for TV) , which Isaac Chadwick for small producers asserted already means loss of $100,000 a year in film rentals to TV's still few stations. Eric Johnston's MPA had v.p. Charles Boren on hand to testify: "No other clause in the contract negotiations was as controversial." That seemed to set tune of all movie magnates, who doubted legality of TV ban. But 20th Century-Fox's Fred S. Meyer said Petrillo had insisted clause must go in, remarking when confronted with legal objections: "Let the lawyers worry about that." Added Meyer: "Those of us who've dealt with the union thoroughly understand the meaning of the word 'must'."