Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

ing what nay be expected when it goes into other TV cities (Vol. 3, No. 35). Washington newspapers Sept. 12-0ct. 19 will carry 20 full-page ads promoting TV, besides dealer ads ; in addition, distributor-dealer timebuying on local AM, FM and TV stations is at high peak. TV set sellers are "naturals’1 as TV sponsors, so it’s not surprising to find Philco also contracting for heavy hunks of time, mainly sports, on Philadelphia's WPTZ, Chicago's WBKB, Los Angeles' KTLA. General Electric will be the next out with projection receiver with large screen, fourth producer of this type. (There are also, of course, DuMont's Westminster and Hampshire models, at §2,495, framing 13xl7-in. images, but these are -direct view, off 20-in. tube.) Ge's new Model 901, framing projection images and including AM-FM-SW-phono , is due soon. Price will be around §2,200. Philco 's bigscreen set is Model 2500, TV-only, sells for §795 plus §85 installation-servicing (Vol. 3, No. 26). RCA's Model 648-IPK, with AM-FM-phono, sells for §1,195 plus §95 (Vol. 3, No. 36). First to promote big screens, specializing largely on tavern installations, U. S. Television Corp. may posibly be forecasting trend, certainly is seeking to meet big-name competition, with price reductions announced on 4 models: Home console, 21xl6-in. picture, with AM-FM-SW-phono, cut from §2,275 to §1,795; bar set, 19x25 picture and AM-FM-SW, from §1,995 to §1,595; custom-built set, 30x22, from §2,245 to §1,795; special set, 21x16, from §1,795 to §1,295. It was second reduction this year on firsjt 2 models. BHOABCASmS'S BIS BF.ITCHES: Fact that the newspapers played up NAB convention news so prominently, sometimes front-paging it, evidences growth and stature of broadcasting industry as it celebrates 25th year of organized activity. * They and trade press did such a thorough job (New York Times even published full text of proposed 5,000-word code), that we're going to depart from our FM-TV specialties for only a few particularly pertinent post-convention observations. Convention itself was superb job of planning and execution, handling more than 2,000 registrants, nearly as many camp followers. Lots of griping, however, about Atlantic City hotels, carnival atmosphere, early fall heat, so West Coast shouldn't have too much trouble getting next one. No question but that President Justin Miller has firm control, enjoys support of rank and file hungry for leadership, also of networks. They like his facility of expression, his fighting attitude, even if they don't all share his academic views. No question, either, about strength of organization he has built with competent administration of Jess Willard, executive v.p., and Bee Arney, secytreas. Setup in a nutshell: 1,372 membership as of Aug. 1. Income, Sept. 1, 1946July 31, 1947, §658,763. Expenses, §633,784, of which President's salary, expenses, etc., accounted for §85,440. Executive staff of 24, secretarial-clerical 44. No question, also, about NAB's ultimate aim: to absorb "rash of competing associations," as Miller put it in his convention speech. Reply of both TBA and FMA to obvious reference is, in effect, "Maybe sometime, but not while we've got our special jobs to do." Miller's speech and NAB's annual report, incidentally, merit close reading; copies available from NAB's publicity dept. 5{C % 5}c % Biggest issue of convention, the code, led to spirited debate, adoption by board Friday to take effect Feb. 1 subject to existing contracts. But dissidents were invited to submit their suggestions for revisions to November board meeting. Gist of code: no more than 3 minutes of commercial time per 15-minute period. Idea won blessing of FCC chairman, who indicated Commission, unrelenting on Blue Book policy, v/ill* also look-see whether stations are adhering to industry's own standards of practice. Other big issue, freedom of radio, didn't evoke much oratory or comment, was put in proper place when Miller disclosed NAB has written proposed substitute for White-Wolverton bills, as requested by Senator McFarlane. It unqualifiedly eliminates FCC from any direct or indirect control over programs; but Miller told press conference he didn't expect bill had chance this Congress, admitted also that "freedom" fight may take 5-15 years to resolve. [Note: NAB also has printed copies of this document to distribute.]