Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

FETBILLO STICKS IN CONGRESS’ CHAW: Hard-headed, thick-skinned James Caesar Petrillo may or may not be recalled to House Labor subcommittee witness stand, but that group (headed by union card-holder Rep. Kearns) gives him and his tactics thorough raking over in unanimous 13-page report issued Friday. It recommends prosecution of AFM under Sherman Act for monopoly, urges Taft-Hartley Act amendment to forbid monopolistic labor practices. We'll get you copy if you want one. On other Petrillo fronts: Network negotiators await music czar's counter to their proposal Monday to wrap whole music deal in one package (wages, conditions, AM-FM, TV, recordings, etc.). Recorders are still sitting on haunches waiting for audience with Jimmy, though contracts expire Dec. 31. FCC, checking with networks on FMA petition for rule forbidding AM-FM duplication ban (Vol. 3, No. 44), got first reply from MBS’s Bob Swesey, who said he doesn't think such a rule necessary since nets are taking up that problem with Petrillo now. Petrillo's trial for Lea Act violations, scheduled for Dec. 15, has been postponed tentatively to Dec. 19 because Chicago Federal Judge LaBuy is sitting on another trial. And Dec. 15 Life Magazine spread on Jimmy, comparing his regal sway to Louis XIV's, doesn't help his public relations (which never seems to have bothered him anyhow) . STOKING THE CHICAGO FM FIRE: FMA's Bill Bailey has been promoting a storm of FM interest in Chicago for some time, and after meeting with manufacturers and broadcastters there last Wednesday is counting on a really man-sized dealer-distributor meeting Feb. 18 at Medinah Temple. He expects 5,000 attendees. Previously a pretty slow FM town, in spite of 5 pre-war stations, Chicago has come along fast under prodding of such people as powerfully-backed Marion Claire (WGNB-Chicago Tribune) and Zenith's Gene McDonald. In fact, FMA has chosen city's Sheraton Hotel as site for 1948 convention Sept. 27-28. Midwest, in general, is becoming one of country's hotter FM foci, due in substantial part to many independent and newspaper-backed FMers. FMA's President Dillard expects current sad FM set picture to begin brightening about February. So far this year only 830,000 FM receivers were reported by RMA, a little under 6% of 14,375,000 total. Tuners, of course, bolster figure somewhat. Pilotuner's success has encouraged others: Belmont , for example, is test marketing a few hundred §29. 50 units. Meissner and Fada have come out with prices on theirs (Vol. 3, No. 48) — §38.33 and §34.95, respectively. SAYING LITTLE, THINKING HARD: Piecing together certain chance remarks, replies to direct questions, inescapable fact others are outpacing it in TV, it looks from where we sit like CBS can't be sold short as a major factor in TV. Perking interest, quiet but intense activity, have replaced the apparent lethargy that beset that smart, usually alert organisation ever since the color case went against it. Even fact that TV v.p. Larry Lowman now sits on TBA board is a minor symptom. Here's the behind-scenes picture: CBS owns WCBS-TV, New York, is applicant only for Chicago, where 3 applicants seek 3 (possibly 2 in reallocation) remaining channels (TV Directory No. 1). FCC action on Chicago application has been held up since last June because v.p. Leslie Atlass personally holds stock interest in profitable WIND, also an applicant. So Atlass has been given alternative of selling stock, which would entail big personal tax loss, or resigning, not improbable in view of that and recent ill health. CBS is hell-bent on getting Chicago, spurred by Bill Paley's intensified interest, by competition, by current sponsor enthusiasm for TV (not the least being CBS's own video client Ford). It doesn't particularly want outlets of its own in St. Louis or Minneapolis, where it owns AM stations, but it may seek one in Boston, certainly wants one in Los Angeles. There's outside chance for Boston, though 5 already seek 2 remaining channels. For station of own in Hollywood, it would give eye-teeth. But all channels there are gone, and presumably it's excluded from buying Dorothy Thackrey's CP, may have to content self with affiliation contract with KFI-TV (ready early in 1948) or Los Angeles Times' KTTV (ready late in 1948). Meanwhile, CBS is bending strenuous efforts to sign up affiliates for a TV network (Vol. 3, No. 49). And, one more possibility that can't be ruled out: it