Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

HEW YORK FM STILL !H FLUX: Another ring-around-the-rosie is in prospect in New York FM case, now that final decision is out. Not likely to accept denial silently is New York News, particularly chagrined in view of fact FCC had originally proposed to grant it. Methodist Church was favored instead. No one seems to know exactly what next move is. Since FCC has said denyees would be allowed to file immediately for area's 4 reserved channels, should (or can) they do that and appeal to courts at same time? If they can’t, there is doubt whether courts would permit FCC to grant all reserved channels while appellants are sweating out tedious litigation. That's just one problem. Most losers admitted they didn't yet know just what they intended to do ; only WEVD said it was immediately asking reserved channel. It is third to date — WINS and WHOM (not in original hearing) having filed in July. All other grants and denials were as proposed (see Supp. 55, also 55-F herewith). r -rr-r =^==== SIGHT AMD SOUMD - If battle lines don’t crack, Petrillo faces solid-front “music industry” in forthcoming showdown, certainly can’t count on much public or Congressional support, may even face battle for his own existence if he goes so far as to “pull plug” on networks Jan. 31 as he did on recording companies (Vol. 3, No. 43, 44). All-industry committee hashed things out in Washington Wednesday, left definite program to be evolved before month’s end by subcommittee comprising Justin Miller, NAB; William Fay,*FMA; Lawrence Phillips, TBA; Charles Gaines, transcription companies; Edward Wallerstein, record manufacturers. RMA is polling directors for sanction to join fight, will doubtless get it. On other side, Petrillo appointed ex-Decca attorney Milton Diamond (of New York law firm Poletti, Diamond, Rubin, Frieden & Mackay) as AFM counsel, succeeding late Joe Padway. Decca was first to come to terms on 1942-44 record royalty demands. Diamond is wellregarded among radio-music fraternity, may even turn out to be peace negotiator. Hotelevision Inc., Long Island City, N. Y. (J. M. Winer, president) announced Friday it was making available in 2 weeks TV setup for 40 rooms of New York’s Hotel Roosevelt, available to guests at $3 day. Receiving units have 10-in. screens, operate from master receiver, can tune all local programs, with cut-in for public address. Engineer Pat F. Gale developed system with Ralph H. Langley, chief engineer of Olympic. Hotel Roosevelt contract is with Ira Hirschmann organization (FM station WABF). Industrial Television Inc., Nutley, N. J., also has “Guest Television” system for hotels it will exhibit at National Hotel Exposition in Grand Central Palace, Nov. 14-19. AM boosters granted experimentally to Washington Post’s 250-watt WINX (1340 kc) open way to similar grants in parallel situations. FCC emphasizes word “experimental,” permanence of grants to await thrashing out whole booster idea in hearing. WINX is allowed 2 satellites up to 250 watts fed via 930 me links from main transmitter. FCC has generally frowned on booster systems and grants of local channel stations in metropolitan areas. WPEN-TV, Philadelphia, not yet built, wants to be sure it will get New York TV programs when it wants them, so this week Philadelphia Bulletin asked FCC for STA to build microwave radio relay link between New York and Philadelphia. When it gets Commission okay (no question it will), it intends to go out and buy land, start construction. First week of WBAL hearing, notable mainly for tedious quibbling over program minutiae, left majority of observers predicting renewal for Baltimore station. Hearing before Comr. Hyde started in Baltimore, moved to Washington. WBAL is pi’esenting its side first, Pearson and Allen pi obably going on stand late next week. Going with ex-FCC Chairman Denny to NBC is David C. Adams, asst, to FCC general counsel, who will be asst, general counsel of NBC. Denny’s job won’t be filled before January session of Congress when Wayne Coy, offered it (Vol. 3, No. 44), is pretty sure to get it, despite staunch efforts on behalf of Leonard Reinsch. Meanwhile, President Truman has designated Comr. Walker acting chairman. Newhouse Newspapers’ radio subsidiary. Radio Projects Inc., will probably turn in CP it holds for FM in Syracuse, in view of Syracuse Post-Standard, and HeraldJoiunial purchase of Col. Harry Wilder’s WSYR and WSYR-FM for reported $1,200,000 — Wilder to continue as manager. Oddly enough, Syracuse FM grant was only one Radio Projects ever got out of 4 sought; it was rejected this week in Newark, previously lost out for Jamaica and W. New Brighton, N. Y. Philco’s $157,209,000 gross sales for first 9 months of 1947 ($5,632,005 net income, or $3.90 a common share) represents record for company; it compares with $72,465,000 during same period last year (when income loss was $20,477). Thanks largely to TV, fourth quarter looks like another record period, should run year’s total well over $200,000,000, according to President John Ballantyne. CBS financial report for first 40 weeks of 1947 continues gross up-net down trend noted first 6 months (Vol. 3, No. 32). Gross was $74,556,873, net after taxes and all charges $3,660,860 ($2.13 per share). For same period last year: gross $66,836,024, net $3,997,532 ($2.33 a share). RCA’s traveling TV crew set up Thursday in Goldblatt’s State Street Store, Chicago, for 2-week stand, demonstrating “Shopping by Television.” Off-the-line receivers are in windows and on every floor of big dept, store, and special WBKB programs are also being picked up in company’s 10 other stores during promotion weeks. One-dav TV Clinic Dec. 10 at New York’s WaldorfAstoria replaces this winter’s TBA convention and exhibition. FCC speaker, et al, remain to be announced but panel subjects include getting TV stations on air, networks, local programming, local sales, local remote problems, ad agency problems, films for TV, receivers, talent, etc. Telecast of Army-Notre Dame game at South Bend Saturday (sponsored by American Tobacco) was occasion for big shindig for advertisers, agencies, etc., in NBC Chicago studios, where they foregathered to watch on theatre-size screen (Vol. 3, No. 38, 39). Add TV sponsors: On WNBT, General Foods (Maxwell House Coffee), “Meet the Press,” Thu., 8-8:30 p.m. for 5 weeks from Nov. 6, thru Benton & Bowles. Increasing TV sets led Detroit Neivs’ WWJ-TV to hike basic hourly rate from $250 to $300, effective Dec. 1.