Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

he may drop Connecticut plans, though he's capable of financing both. He's fourth bidder for Cleveland's 5 channels, so repetition of Hartford rush seems likely — especially inasmuch as Cleveland is due to lose Channel No. 7 to Canton (Vol. 3, No. 33). Dick Richards' WGAR and Plain Dealer's WHK are both known to have plans for TV, were applicants once, are virtually certain to re-file. Richards also controls WJR, Detroit, where 3 of 4 channels are spoken for and Paramount application pends. In Memphis, Commercial Appeal's WMC ( Scripps-Howard) is hot on TV, will doubtless file any day now; same interests are now building Cleveland's WEWS. In Syracuse, WSYR's Col. Harry Wilder has been talking with GE, which has electronics plant there. GE would not be averse to having local TV "showcase," has even considered erecting own Syracuse station. In Rochester, Stromberg-Carlson tells us it definitely plans to reapply, though isn't hurrying since there's no competition yet; but Gannett interests (WHEC) have shown perking interest, shouldn't be counted out. v Washington Star's WMAL-TV debut Friday night (first high-band TV, Channel 7, first to use RCA turnstile atop FM pylon) — and Milwaukee Journal's WTMJ-TV test patterns starting today (Oct. 4) — point up important place newspapers are assuming in TV picture. Analysis of our TV Directory (Supp. 18-D) , plus additions since its Sept. 15 issuance, shows newspapers account for 4 of the 13 stations on the air, 18 of the 56 CPs, 3 of the 22 applicants. Of course, most of the newspapers are also identified with AM and FM. Non-broadcasting interests account for 5 operating stations, 5 CPs, 7 applicants. Note — If you want to keep your TV Directory (Supp. 18-D) up-to-date, we suggest you make the additions and changes reported here, in our Newsletters of the preceding 2 weeks (Vol. 3, No. 38, 39), and in our subsequent Newsletters. FSTHILLQ’S FI3 CONTACTS: What may have whetted Jimmy Petrillo's appetite to get "something for the boys" out of starveling FM, is fact his locals already have signed contracts with 17 FM stations (see below). Yet he had to be shown — seemed impressed, too — at Wednesday's rather cordial 2%-hour session with FMA committee, that FM should not be throttled in its inceptive stages, that it will eventually create more employment as it expands radio and as its higher fidelity requires more live music. Dillard group came away from parley more hopeful than ever — also, admittedly, impressed with union czar's phobia (technological unemployment) and major argument (that most radio music originates from only 3 or 4 cities). Since TaftHartley law, Petrillo also complained, radio layoffs have lost his men §200,000 pay. Petrillo this week lifted music ban on FM's Continental Network (Vol. 3, No. 38, 39) for remaining 11 weeks of Stromberg-Carlson sponsorship — said it was all a mistake due to Rochester local's failure to consult with headquarters on all FM and network matters. His main peeve seems to be against big networks for not forcing affiliates to hire musicians. But he says he's now convinced networks are really sincere in wanting AM-FM duplication. He plans another huddle with networks on AM-FM, promises decision soon. FMers' main hope is for affirmative ruling on their plea to give FM "probationary" go-ahead on duplication until Jan. 31, when network contracts expire, then sit down and negotiate FM terms. List of FM stations with own music union contracts shows only 3 are independents: WASH, Washington (Dillard); WBCA, Schenectady (Asch) ; KR0N, San Francisco (Chronicle). The others, mostly adjuncts of big AM stations: WGNB and WBBM, Chicago; WFIL-FM, Philadelphia; KDKA-FM and WM0T, Pittsburgh; WLWA, Cincinnati; WEW-FM, St. Louis; WCJT (WHAS) , Louisville; WKY-FM , K0CY-FM, KOMA-FM, KTOK-FM, Oklahoma City; KAKC-FM, Tulsa; WSYR-FM, Syracuse. Petrillo told Kearns committee last July (Vol. 3, No. 28) that WGNB (Chicago Tribune) contract provides for 9 musicians in addition to V/GN's regular 45; that WBBM-FM (CBS) uses one union disc jockey in addition to its AM quota. So apparently each contract is on individual terms. liUESSIHG HOW MANY AliB WHERE: "Educated guessing," is most that can be said about plethora of statistics thrown at you when it comes to TV and FM. Need for reasonably accurate figures as to number of sets in individual markets has both RMA and NAB