Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1948)

PARAMOUNT FILES FOR SIXTH TV: Highlight of IV application week (9 new applications, see TV Addenda 3-H, herewith) was Paramount *s bid for Tampa. Application, in name of wholly-owned subsidiary Gulf Theatres Inc., is for Channel No. 2, is fourth application by movie firm that has 2 stations on the air (WBKB, Chicago; KTLA, Los Angeles), makes 4 for 3 remaining channels in Tampa. Although some observers sav; application as challenge to FCC 5-station rule, there's possibility Paramount is hedging against losing out in Boston (8 vying for single frequency), Detroit (2 for 1), San Francisco (7 for 3), or it may be on verge of withdrawing from one of those cities. Paramount officials refused to talk, but it's understood statement may be forthcoming next week. Legally, of course, there's no bar against filing as many applications as desired; New England Television has 7 (see TV Directory No. 3). Other applications; For Omaha. Neb. , KOIL, Channel No. 3 — now 2 for 1. For Huntington. W. Va.. WSAZ-John Kennedy, No. 5. For Shreveport, La., oilman and real estate developer Ben Beckham, No. 11 - fourth .applicant for city's 4 channels. For Kalamazoo, Mich., WKZO-John Fetzer, No. 3. For Macon, Ga. , WMAZ, No. 7; For Fresno, Cal., KARM, No. 7 — fourth for 4 channels. For Bakersfield, Cal., Paul R. Bartlett (pending purchaser of KERO, Sacramento, and present general manager of that station and KFRE, Fresno), No. 8. For Tulsa. KAKC, No. 10. TV PROGRAM SOURCES AND HOURS: Everybody wants to get into the TV act, judging from our preliminary mailing of some 250 questionnaires to as many who've indicated they have live or film programs to syndicate to TV stations. Everybody, that is, except the very big movie producers. Your syndicators or prospective syndicators (though market as yet comprises only 26 stations, perhaps. 50 by year's end) include such diverse interests as DuMont, planning "tele-transcriptions" of its stations' live shows; New York News' WPIX, offering its Korda films (Vol. 4, No. 18) ; Frederic Ziv, Jerry Fairbanks, David Selznick, Rudy Vallee, and scores of little film rental companies or agents with acts to sell. This just gives you an idea of diversity of the list, which we will publish later as a Directory of TV Program Sources.' All of which augurs well for TV's program supply, a bugbear until FCC recently proposed relaxing its 28-hours-per-week minimum rule (Public Notice 21352) to permit stations to operate not less than 12 hours per week first 18 months, then gradually increase to minimums of 16, 20, 24, 28 hours at 6-month intervals. Proposal bans test patterns as counting toward time on the air. Commission has asked for industry comments by May 28, will hold hearings if necessary. TV SETS FOR MASSES AND CLASSES: At same time TV sets begin to arrive for masses (latest is rumored Pilot 3-in. job for $99.95), makers of more expensive instruments (Scott, Capehart, Magnavox) have begun to produce their versions for classes. In meantime, middle-priced sets continue to appear. Though rumor of 3in. Pilot set has elicited some deprecatory "humphs," we'll wait and see, recalling skepticism which greeted company's $29.95 FM Pilotuner about a year ago (Vol. 3, No. 26). Till then, FM tuners were technically inferior or too expensive. Pilot officials neither confirm nor deny rumor, but say they will Unveil their new set around June 1. If it is $100 unit, it will be first — although reports won't down Regal has $100 receiver (Vol. 4, No. 15), Tele-Tech's Stan Gerstin being most recent to predict it. At other end of price and quality ladder, Scott's companion to its highfidelity radio-phonograph consoles (Vol. 4, No. 15) turns out to be table model with I2xl6-in. projection picture (first such on market). Using North American Philips ■Protelgram" (Vol. 4, Nos. 9, 13), Scott set will sell for around $600, is incased in cabinet 25x22)ixl4 in. , has lidded top which when opened permits folded screen to extend. Set can be used separately, or attached to audio portion of console. Scott will add all-in-one set later. Another user of Protelgram is Hallicraf ters . which is showing components of big-screen system for custom installations. Company offers tube, optical system, high voltage unit, chassis in wood rack at $495; in two-piece ensemble with bellows-type "throw" for $549.50; projection unit separately with bellows at $329.50; projection unit separately in rack mount for $295. Magnavox.