Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

economists estimate 2,250 AM stations by end of 1948; our records show these figures as of this week: exactly 1,927 AMs, 1,001 FMs , 70 TVs, licensed or authorised. Report bears approval of ex-Chairman Denny and all other commissioners save Jones, who dissented without saying why. Chapter headings indicate scope: (I) Postwar Increase in AM Stations — with figures on profits and losses, relation to population, costs, etc. (II) Growth of the Revenue Pie — as divided by radio, newspapers, magasines. (HI) The Competitive Economic Outlook for Broadcasting — estimates of impact of new-station competition. Report flatly states ECC v/ill not deviate from present policy of open-handed granting of new stations to qualified applicants, regardless of competitive economic factors. TABLE Fifl SETS AMD TUNEB5: ILGWU's sixth FM grant this week (for New York) paves way for "big announcement soon" about its long-pending plan to spend $1 million for 30,000 FM-only table sets to sell at cost-price to members (Vol. 2, No. 30). Big, wealthy ladies garment workers' union has set aside $3 million for station construction and sets, expects to offer receivers (manufacturer still unnamed) at §30-§40. Lion's share will go to New York, others to other cities where ILGWU is building: Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Chattanooga. Union's plan to give fillip to FM listening via cheap receivers prompts us to recapitulate list of table FM and tuner manufacturers (in higher-priced consoles, FM is now almost as commonplace as phono). In past, table sets and tuners have constituted minor percentage of all FM production. But if recent figures are indicative, situation is rapidly being reversed — of 16,771 sets (RMA figure) made during week ending Oct. 19, table units numbered 9,400, tuners 1,400. These are the FM-AM table sets so far, with last reported prices: Concord, §32.50; Spiegel (mail order), §33.50; Olympic, §39.95; Howard, §39.95; Gilfillan, §49.50; Alden (mail order), §49.95; Lafayette, §54.95; Sonora, §59.95; Zenith, §69.95 up; Motorola, §69.95 up; Sentinel, §74.95; Arvin, §74.95; Stewart-Warner , §74.95; Stromberg-Carlson, §74.95 up; Meek, §79.95; RCA, §79.95 up; Crosley, §79.95; Emerson, §99.95 ; GE, §95-§100 ; Philco, §149.95. Then there are Airadio's §56.95 FM-only set ; the Regal, Signal and Nobel (Hazeltine circuit) models promised, but as yet unpriced; Bendix's rumored FM-AM in §40 range; Espey's AM-FM chassis only, §140; Hallicraf ters FM-AM portable, unpriced. In tuner field, better known makes and prices are: Meek, §19.95; Pilot, §29.95; Edwards, §31.50 and §52.50; Approved Electronics, §59.50; Packard-Bell , §69.95. Mainly for "hams" and custom trade, there are also: Collins, §87.50 up; Browning, with AM, §143; Radio Craftsman, with AM, §146.50; Dongene, no price; Radio Tuning Devices, no price. And WIBW's Pug Marquardt -is still working on his "Blooper" which he hopes to have in mass production soon, to sell for §8.90 and less in quantities (Vol. 3, No. 11, 13, 18, 31). HEW BBAND NAMES AND OLD: More new brand names and old are steadily making their way to TV receiving set markets, auguring wider selection, more wrinkles, keener competition, possibly lower prices. Not yet as loudly trumpeted as big-name brands (Vol. 3, No. 42, 43), these are coming along: Sonora (Vol. 3, No. 31) reported ready to deliver first sets to New York market in few weeks. Fada (Vol. 3, No. 30) ready w ith table model and console in December. Industrial Television Inc. (Vol. 3, No. 33) promising Essex model with 15-in. direct view and built-in contrast filter to reduce ambient reflections. Preston Television Mfg. Co. (Vol. 3, No. 36) out with §375 table model, 12-in. tube. Sightmaster Corp., 220 Fifth Ave. , New York, is latest new company announcing line. It's headed by Herbert Suesholtz, who founded Transvision Inc., big kitmaker; has as sales chief F. W. Minor, ex-manager of parts distribution. General Motors. First 2 models will be table units — one 10-in. screen at §375, other 12-in. at §475, both with FM , both including antenna and lead-in. Other models planned and tentative prices: table 10-in. AM-FM, §420; table 12-in. AM-FM, §495; console 12-in. AM-FM-phono , §695; console 15-in. AM-FM-phono, §895.