Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1948)

also in companion TV set field (Vol. 4, No. 17), now says sets will be on market first week in June. There will be 5 companion pieces to popular radio-phono consoles, 3 new TV-AJ^-FM-phono consoles — no prices yet. Work horse 10-in. table model sets gained additions this week when GE began shipments of Model 810 (Vol. 4, No. 12), $299.50 TV table model with 18 tubes plus 3 rectifiers ; installation is $55. Hallicraf ters also this week announced new $249.50 table model in plastic cabinet, with production to start in August, deliveries in September or earlier, according to President Bill Halligan. Olympic Radio intends to introduce 10-in. table model plus TV-radio console (also 10-in.) at music show in Chicago next month; prices have not been set. New set marker is Cortley Television Corp. . 15 W. 57th St., New York City, with 6x8 ft projection model, no price yet. Other TV set news-of-the week; GE says it plans to turn over its receiver bldg, at Electronics Park, Syracuse, entirely to TV production before year's end.... DuJ/ont says its new plant (Vol. 4, No. 20) will enable present 3,000 per month production to be tripled (goal being 20,000 monthly), also triple cathode-ray output ....Farnsworth will soon reduce price of Model GV-260 from $375 to $325. ... Farnsworth isn't only manufacturer with price including installation and service fees (Vol. 4, No. 19) ; Stromberg-Carlson has had policy for some time; company also says 67% of its production will be TV by end of year. .. .Discordant note from retailers came this week from Irwin D. Wolf (Kaufman Dept. Stores, Pittsburgh), chairman of National Retail Dry Goods Assn, vendors relations committee, who told TV subcommittee present markup on TV sets (24%-28%) isn't sufficient to cover sales costs. SIGHT AND SOUND TV hearings go on as scheduled in cities where no changes in frequencies are proposed or where there’s been simple substitution of channels or classifications. That’s gist of FCC clarification Friday on hearing policies as they relate to proposed reassignment of TV frequencies (Vol. 4, No. 19). In all other instances, hearings will be defeiTed till after decision on channel revision plan — and if city gets added channels, hearing dates won’t be set (when there is excess of applicants) for 30 days after decision — to permit new applicants to file. June 15 hearing on TV network rates (Vol. 4, No. 18) will be no quickie, will probably run into Fall, say participants. TEA is preparing full-scale attack on rates which Dr. DuMont figures would amount to $32 million yearly for five 10-station networks. In meantime, downward revision of tariffs for local TV loops, following pattern of New Jersey Bell (Vol. 4, No. 13, 14), has been made by most state Bell companies; balance are expected to file the new rates with FCC in next few weeks. New tariffs eliminate installation charges, compute mileage on airline rather I than circuit miles. Predictions TV will resurrect vaudeville will get first real test in “Texaco Star Theater” beginning June 8 on 7-station NBC network. Ho’or-long shows will be pure vaudeville, with Milton Berle as m.c. first 4 weeks, with possibility of A1 Jolson and Groucho Marx later. Show will have 7 acts, cost Texaco $5,000 weekly. Agency is Kudner, with William Morris recruiting acts. Latter has opened : campaign for talent with double-page spreads in trade papers proclaiming: “Vaudeville is Back. Wanted — Variety Artists from All Quarters of the Globe.” ABC’s search for TV antenna site in New York City finally ended last week wkh deal for joint use with Ira Hirsc’nmann’s WABF (FM) of swank Hotel Pierre roof. Both stations will use common tower, and Hirschmann will also use facilities for experimental TV station W2XMT. New FMA board member IMarion Claire (WGNB, Chicago Tribune's FM) succeeds Leonard Asch. Asch resigned because both he and board member Russ David (ex-GE) are now in same outfit (WPTR, Albany). Sen. Johnson introduced resolution this week (S. R. 240) which would require FCC to defer decision on clear channels until after new NARBA settlement is ratified. Sen. Johnson, whose bill to limit clears to 50 kw, permit duplication (Vol. 4, No. 9 et seq), is still pending, thinks U. S. can protect itself in international negotiations without granting the high power (750 kw) considered necessary by clears to prevent foieign encroachment on our channels. In Sen. Tobey-RCA fight (Vol 4, No. 20), others accused of holding FM back (Norton, Denny, Porter, et al.) may be called for testimony, since Sen. Capehart thought they should be and Sen. Tobey assented. A natural for transit F.M (Vol. 4, No. 5, et seq) because of part ownership by bus company, WBUZ-FM, Bradbury Hts., Md. (Washington suburb), has been testing, reports good results. Though station is Class A, radiating only 420 watts, officials say reception is satisfactory. Associated bus line (WM&A) carries some 25,000 passengers daily. Along same lines, transit company in large southern city is ready to apply for FM station, claims commitments running into 4 figures daily from prospective sponsors. And WCTS, Cincinnati, pioneer with the medium, is said to have $1,200 weekly business already signed up though regular large-scale service begins June 15. Good idea, growing tendency of TV stations to publish names of sponsors alongside weekly advance program listings— and we hope all will do it. CBS Television also issued as of May 1 listing of sponsored programs (with ad agencies) on its WCBS-TV, totaling 17, including “feeds” to other stations. l^Iay 3 Broadcasting, in its “Telestatus Reports,” carries listing of all TV sponsors on all reporting stations as of Feb. 1. TV awards of New York’s Radio-Television Critics Circle went to NBC (for promotion, improved production and direction) , CBS (sports coverage) , DuMont (“Court of Current Issues” forum), DuMont announcer Dennis James (wit and versatility). New York City-.\>bany coaxial (154 mi.) began telephone operation Friday, but AT&T doesn’t indicate' when it will be equipped to handle TV.