Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

was poised to confute it until FCC ruled FM out of hearing, though by very close vote. Since FCC is so deeply committed to FM, ruling came as surprise, was bitterly objected to by CBS counsel. It's obvious that CCBS objective basically is protection against breakdown of existing clears, plus acceptance of principle of higher pov/ers. Of the twenty 750-kw outlets it suggests, 16 are CCBS members — but it hastens to say these are not hard-and-fast selections, are subject to change by FCC. Certainly, absence of any New York City outlet is notable, let alone admitted "self-interest" that led to inclusion of all CCBS members. But CCBS apparently isn’t worried lest FCC adopt basic idea but give 750 kw to others, perhaps even throw it open to all comers. These are CCBS’s selection (all but last 5 CCBS members): WHAM, Rochester; KDXA, Pittsburgh; WCAU, Philadelphia; WSB, Atlanta; WHAS, Louisville; WSM, Nashville; WWL, New Orleans; WLS and WGN, Chicago; V/LW, Cincinnati; WJR, Detroit; WFAA-WBAP, DallasFort Worth; WHO, Des Moines; WOAI, San Antonio; KFI, Los Angeles; WBZ, Boston; KOA, Denver; KPO and KC-0, San Francisco; KSL, Salt Lake City. BaftDHT 44-216 Me TABLE MOBS L: Next big-name TV merchandising push comes from DuMont, out at last with lower-priced model — a $445 table set with 12-inch screen and continuous tuning across 44-216 me, thus embracing all FM as well as all TV channels. It’s DuMont’s first postwar table model, others being consoles selling at $795, $1,095, $1,795, $2,495. It will be introduced with big newspaper ads in New York area Thursday, Oct. 30; in Washington, 2 weeks later; in other TV cities thereafter. TV pioneer Dr. Allen B. DuMont , seeing fruition of his 20 years’ effort in rising popularity of TV medium, mounting sales of sets, tells us his factory is now producing at rate of 3,000 units per period (13 periods to year), will have produced 20,000 by end of this year, 40,000 during 1948 when sales volume will run $25 million. Company distributes entirely through dealers, hasn't yet built up strong sales organisations outside New York area. To growing list of new TV models now on market (Vol. 3, No. 42) can be added Belmont's $250 table model with 7-in. tube (Vol. 3, No. 23), now in production, distributed through Montgomery Ward as well as company's own dealers; Belmont is owned by Raytheon. Garod reports its Royal model is ready, a TV-AM-FM-SW-phono console, 10-in. screen, costing $695 plus installation; Garod also promised TV-only console at $450 (Vol. 3, No. 31). Farnsworth's TV-AM-FM console, 10-in. screen, is announced for Dec. 1 to sell for $497.50; same set with phono, out around Christmas, will sell around $700. Among lesser names, Bace Television Corp., Hackensack, N. J., announces 15in. and 20-in. direct view custom jobs for public places, prices unstated, operable by remote control up to 1,000 ft. away. Videograph Corp., 601 W. 26th St., New York City, announces juke-box set, 15-in. screen (TV components by Emerson), with color, lights and all — 3 minutes for nickel, installed for $100, service $30 per week, 50-50 split of take. And TV kit business continues to flourish — Espey unveiling new job in New York's Hotel Astor Oct. 29; new Ray Lectron Co., 706 Tenth Ave., Belmar, N. J. , offering $125 kit covering 6 channels. 03E BIS PACKAGE OF BEMAHDS? Having banned manufacture of recordings and transcriptions after Dec. 31 ("once and for all"), Jimmy Petrillo's next pitch may be to pull his musicians off networks (contracts with key stations expire Jan. 31), create consternation among advertisers and chaos in musical schedules — then present one big package of demands upon all radio and related services. That's what some informed observers think, though you may be sure the segments will negotiate as best they can first. Thus, problems like AM-FM duplication, ban on films and live music on TV, perforce become parts of bigger over-all industry picture. Since it's an all-industry battle, 33-member Special Industry Music Committee was announced Friday by NAB (see member list on p. 4). No indication of first meeting yet, but it's to be purely consultive, will exchange information, map strategy, but has no powers to deal with Petrillo.