Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

salvage something, but obligations besides $50,000 note include $10,000 trust, $4,500 owing for equipment, $5,000 liquidation cost, $15,000 estimated operating expenses until FCC approves a sale. Muddy thinking was manifest when some stockholders even suggested that (1) present stockholders buy more stock, (2) public be offered stock, (3) public be asked for regular subscription fees! Tils TELEVISION POT SMEB5: There's no mistaking the symptoms — things are beginning to stir in TV, auguring busy days ahead for everyone concerned. Even TBA President Poppele's prediction before newly formed Philadelphia Television Assn. Wednesday night, that TV industry will amount to $250 million by June , 1948 GOP convention in that city, may not be entirely amiss. He based his estimate on 500,000 sets at average of $500, which may not be bad guess in light of numerous manufacturers planning TV production (Vol. 3, No. 30), let alone trade estimates of up to $10 million expenditures on advertising of TV sets during next 12 months. This v/eek, as Bamberger's engineering chief (WOR) , Poppele announced orders placed with GE and RCA for full equipment for its projected New York and Washington TV stations, respectively (Supp. 18-C). GE promised delivery of former by next March. This makes three major TV station orders for GE — others being for Chicago Tribune and Yankee Network (Vol. 3, No. 23). This week, also, another TV applicant who dropped out last year asked FCC to reinstate application — A. Frank Katzentine, WKAT, Miami Beach, Fla., who proposed spending $165,000 on installation. His is eighth application since color decision. Long-delayed Chicago Times application (Vol. 3, No. 32) is now definitely promised within next two weeks. And Philadelphia's WFIL-TV starts programming Aug. 25, plans formal opening Sept. 13. On merchandising side, major TV producers deride trade story sets aren't moving, say they can market all they can turn out. Confidence is bolstered by the easing of installment -buying restrictions, seen as offset to high cost of sets, also by prospect of big TV events to attract buyers — World Series, football, 1948 politics, etc. Philco plans invasion of Washington market Aug. 27 with its Models 1000 and 2500 (Vol. 3, No. 26), former in quantity ($395), latter in limited numbers ($795) , accompanied by big promotion campaign. Philco has concentrated so far on Philadelphia and New York areas, building service setup, is now readying to go into Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Los Angeles. FM NETWORK'S FIRST SPONSOR: No mere lip-service promoter of FM, Stromberg-Carlson turns up as that first sponsor on FM's wire-radio hookup called Continental Network (Vol. 3, No. 32, 33). Big manufacturer-broadcaster has allotted unannounced but sizeable hunk of its fall-winter advertising budget to purchase 8:30-9 Friday nights for 16 weeks on full 22-station chain, starting Sept. 12. Program is live talent, v/ith 30-piece orchestra designed for full utilization of FM capabilities, will originate from company's own WHFM , Rochester, will naturally plug FM radios. First program will be piped into FMA convention banquet hall. WHFM will also originate 8-8:30 Friday night show, sustaining but tailored with eye for another sponsor. WL AN -FM, Lancaster, Pa., joins CN this week, picking up Armstrong's signal from Alpine, N.J. Network can be expected soon to add York and Harrisburg, Pa. Competition in some cities has already led to jockeying for affiliation. REACHING UP FOR TV SIGNALS: Hinterland bar owners, enviously and impatiently watching sports-minded elbow-benders pouring into TV-city taverns, have done something about it. Told that TV signals were going over their heads, they've decided to reach for them. In several cities, notably Allentown and Reading, Pa., you'll find towers up to 100 ft. high with nothing but receiving antennas on top. They're getting nice signals from New York and Philadelphia, over distances ranging from 40 to 88 miles. Remarkable is the kind of money going into such installations; complete setup, including receiver, cost as much as $5,000. And some well-heeled people are shelling out the same w ay, just for their private home amusement. Another possibility of eking out distant TV signals is a new antenna developed by Lapoint-Plas