Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1948)

of television digest and FM REPORTS February 7, 1948 daytime AMs TOLD TO GO FM: Daytime and limited time AMs, who've bombarded FCC with requests for STAs (Special Temporary Authority) to operate into evening or night hours for special programs, have been told by FCC, in effect; "If you want nighttime coverage, get into FM." Admonition took form of proposed rules change issued this week (Public Notice 15092) to abolish such STAs after April 15. Anyone objecting can file through Feb. 28, but Commission says it "sees no further need for such STAs in view of the opportunities for fulltime FM authorization." In other words, it's going all-out for FM again — even beyond urging people to apply and clamping down on laggards. FCC's own language: "Diligent efforts toward the early establish ment of FM service will more than adequately satisfy public needs." THAW AFTER THE FM FREEZE: Subsidiary effects of lifting of AM-FM duplication ban (Vol. 4, No. 5) are cropping up fast, shifting from day to day. All 4 AM networks notified affiliates if they duplicate one optioned-time show they must duplicate all, though no extra fees are offered yet. Some affiliates don't like it, having issued separate rate cards and begun building some fair local business, notably sports. But majority envisage FM's first job one of building "circulation," i.e., listeners to FM — and they think network programs can best do that job. Then there's longing of weaker networks for better night coverage. FM offers big chance. This is bound to produce jockeying among affiliates, impel renewed urge to apply for new FMs, hasten fulfillment of CPs. It's even conceivable big networks, when FM really proves audience, will be inclined to pull away from AM affiliates without FM, or at least add local FM outlets. Despite hue and cry about their ■plot" against FM, it's obvious they stand to gain not only coverage but bargaining position with affiliates by reason of FM — not immediately, perhaps, but certainly over the long haul. Among other effects: FM-only networks now also have Petrillo go-ahead; Dillard expects some raiding of his Continental Network by AM networks but thinks he'll come out all right, feels he has plenty of takers. In record field, Petrillo deferred ban on recorded network shows, such as Bing Crosby's, for 60 days pending network contract negotiations. Rep. Kearns promises bill "week after next" to amend copyright laws to permit royalties for musicians from commercially-played records ; bill -will provide stiff fine for bootlegging home records into commercial uses. As for TV. latest report is Petrillo will ask that musicians seen as well as heard get AFRA wages as well as AFM pay. CONGRESS AND THE FM STORY: The heat's really on to get low-band back for FM — and now it's a Congressional committee that may weigh the balance. Two days of hearings on Armstrong-Zenith inspired Lemke Resolution, to give FM frequencies around 50 me, leave distinct impression all or part of TV Channel No. 1 (44-50 me) jpay well go to FM for wide-area rebroadcast stations or regular stations, or both — these in addition to present 88-108 me. Disposal of 44-50 me, subject of recent hearings (Vol. 3, No. 33, 47; Vol. 4, No. 4), hasn't yet been decided by FCC. Congressional pressure may sweep aside what's left of Commission's original intention to give all of 44-50 me to mobile services — though there's evidence FCC has been leaning towards FM recently anyway. Sitting in on 2 days of hearings, one got distinct feeling Congress has little intention of allocating by legislation. But it's also evident Rep. Wolverton's House Interstate Commerce Committee, deeply Impressed if not awed by tales of Maltreatment of FM related by Inventor Armstrong and others, and not yet having heard other side, feels FCC has done wrong by FM in moving it from low to high