Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

one another (and with Bamberger's in Washington) as nucleus of still another network; KFI-TV, Los Angeles, forced to find another affiliation (though KFI is NBC) because NBC is building own station there. These are .just a few symptoms of stirrings in a new art and industry whose calculables and incalculables have everyone in radio agog — some fearful, some hopeful, all of us "experts" because none of us really knows much about it yet. CLAM2QBI*iti A30ABD TV BAHDWASGH: Siix more TV applications this week from as many cities support our repeated forecasts, underline crescendo of interest, presage many more to come. Indeed, it will be surprising if supply of channels in first 25 to 50 markets (see allocation table by cities, Supp. 18-D) isn't exhausted within year or less, leaving the too wary and too hesitant out in the cold. This v/eek's applicants: Seeking outlets in both Boston and Fall River, Mass, is New England Television Co. Inc., headed by Alfred DeMaris, Fall River bus company operator; Harold C. Arcaro, v.p., attorney and part owner of WRIB, Providence. In Boston, Channel 15 (210-216 me) is sought, with 22 kw visual, 15.75 kw aural powers, 540 ft antenna; application also stipulates transmitter at Melrose, studio 1050 Main St., $190,000 plant, $8,500 monthly operating cost, DuMont equipment. Fall River station is proposed on Channel 8 (180-186 me) with 3 kw visual, 1.43 kw aural powers, 581 ft antenna, transmitter at Tiverton, R. I., studio location to be determined in Fall River-New Bedford area, $105,000 plant, $3,500 monthly cost, DuMont equipment. In Waterbury, Conn., Harold Thomas, who operates WATR there and WNAB, Bridgeport, asks for Channel 12 (204-210 me), 20 kv; visual, 15.75 kw aural powers, 828 ft antenna, transmitter on West Peak, Meriden, studio at 71 Grand St., $174,872 plant, $5,000 monthly cost, RCA equipment. Also applying for Waterbury' s sole channel are Lee Hat interests (Vol. 3, No. 42) and Empire Coil Co., though latter will probably drop out now in view of its Cleveland grant last week. Hearing on all Hartford-New Britain-Waterbury area applications has been ordered by FCC, no date set. Louisville's WAVE asks for Channel 5 (76-82 me), with 16.6 kw visual, 10 kw aural powers, 402 ft antenna, studio and transmitter at present AM-FM sites, $159,800 plant, $8,000 operating cost, RCA equipment. City is entitled to 2 channels. WHAS already holds CP for No. 9 (186-192 me), 9.6 kw visual, 7.2 kw aural (Supp. 18-D) — but it has applied for Channel 5 instead, with 1.54 kw visual, 768 watts aural, on plea lower frequencies will give adequate coverage, require less power, less expensive plant. So hearing may be necessary. Dick Richards' stations WJR, Detroit, and WGAR, Cleveland, filed as predicted (Vol. 3, No. 43). For Detroit, WJR stipulates Channel 5 (same as sought by Paramount's United Detroit Theatres Inc.), with 17.8 kw visual and aural power, 530.5 ft antenna, transmitter and studios in Fisher Bldg., $250,266 plant, $25,000 monthly cost, GE equipment. For Cleveland, V/GAR stipulates Channel 7 (174-180 me), same as sought by DuMont, with 11 k w visual, 12 kw aural power, 568 ft antenna, transmitter at Broadview Heights between Cleveland-Akron, studios in Statler Hotel, $264,567 plant, $25,000 monthly cost, RCA equipment. Hearing on Cleveland applications appears likely, especially if Plain Dealer (WHK) and others file expected applications (Vol. 3, No. 44) and if Brush-Moore Newspapers carry through plans to apply for Canton — which stands to get one of Cleveland's 5 channels under proposed reallocation (Vol. 3, No. 33). Note: TV boxscore now is 15 commercial stations operating, 55 CPs outstand ing, 36 applications pending. We'll have a new Directory for you soon. vimm the Economics of m-. FCC's 113-page "Economic Study of Standard Broadcasting" is a statistical elaboration of the obvious: broadcasting is a profitable business but mushrooming of new stations means "watch out !" Like most FCC delvings into business side of broadcasting, it will be eyed askance by some — but it isn't recommendatory, has no political implications, unveils for first time some dollars and cents data (by aggregates) hitherto locked in FCC's confidential files. Report includes no data on FM or TV, both of which mean not only more stations but also further "f ractionation" of audience. On basis of current rate of AM grants, FCC