Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1948)

within month or so thereafter, to say nothing of the " indeterminates . " We'll continue to report on these and the later starters as fast as ve get the dope. ♦ * * ♦ Latest reports from CP holders; Baltimore's WAAM turned on Channel 13 juice Wednesday, said responses from lookers-in were good, is confident that with its full 26.1 kw visual, 13.8 kw aural powers it won't run into any such channel difficulties as Newark's WATV (Vol. 4 :28-38) . . . Short of catastrophe, Louisville's WAVETV reports it won't miss getting its test pattern on air by Nov. 1, with commercial operation starting Nov. 24...K0B. Albuquerque, this week got STA from FCC for Nov. 14... San Francisco News devoted big portion of Oct. 19 front page pictorializing progress of KPIX antenna installation on top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel; station and local dealers still aiming for mid-December start ... Crosley' s WLWC, Columbus, and WLWD, Dayton, won't get towers until latter December, so winter delays probably now spell no start until possibly March... San Diego's KFMB-IV won't make earlier reported December debut, hasn't yet broken ground though equipment is on order. IN A DECADE, 40 KILLIOH TV SETS! Exuding optimism, born probably of Avco's happy experience with its Crosley radio-TV operations (Vol. 4:42), Avco's executive v.p. Ray Cosgrcve , ex-RMJi president, told Boston Conference on Distribution Oct. 25: By 1951, annual TV receiver production can be expected to reach 2 million; by 1953, total TV sets in use will be more than 12 million with audience of some 50 million; by 1958. "n'mcler of sets can be at least 40 million with the total audience at 100 million." Further forecasts; By 1953, 400 TV stations in 140 major cities; TV as whole providing employment for one million persons and injecting "investment of at least 8 billicn dollars into the economic bloodstream of America." Whatever you think of the figures — making predictions about TV is providing industry bigwigs with happy field days — there's no disputing Mr. Cosgrove's assertion that TV "has grow'n faster than any other major industry ever to appear on the Anerican scene... is practically certain of matching the radio record in considerably less than [radio's] 25 years... in fact, will take up where radio leaves off." THE KILLS OF MUSIC, LABOR GRIND ON: Whiat ASCAP can get from its own members — that ' s salient point in current TV-ASCAP negotiations for music rights. If composers' society :an speak for all members on all rights (production and non-production), then deal can be made for general license. But if ASCAP holds only minor rights (background rusic, vocal, etc.), and major rights have to be negotiated separately with each c:nposer, then TV interests hold there's no need to take out ASCAP license. There you have nub of next w'eek's deliberations betw'een ASCAP and TV committee headed by NBC's Robert P. Myers and including CBS's Julius Braianer, ABC's Joseph McDonald, DuMont's Edward Crosson, WTIX's Jack Schoemer. ASCAP's rights from menders expire Dec. 31, and it's now seeking 2-year extensions. TV can get license frcn liZ (industry music pool) on same terms as radio, no distinction on TV. On another music front, year-long recording ban seems on way out. Petrillo and re::rd makers this week agreed to set up separate fund run by outside trustee. AFM crnand for back royalties (Vol. 4:42) was compromised by "slightly" higher royalty cn records selling for $1 or more. If approved by Federal officials — there's still r:9Stion of legality imder Taft-Hartley Act — arrangement would run 5 years. On labor front. One Big Union for radio-TV seems in offing, with single-card idea arparently set. This would permit any member of AFL's AAAA unions (American Fecera'.ljn of Radio Artists, Actors Equity, American Guild of Musical Artists, American Guild of Variety Artists) to appear on TV, without jurisdictional problems. AGVA hiin't decided to come in yet, but opening is left for that union to join other 3. S:r:;n Actors Guild recently voted against joining forces with other 4A unions. Talk lirsists of new union by amalgamation of others — all because of TV's use of perf errors from radio, night clubs, concert halls, theatre, Hollywood. Meanwhile, Radio Vriters Guild (AFL) this v/eek struck 70 sponsor-agency produced shows, many topfliiht. Crux of trouble is whether labor contract can be signed with freelance wri'.rrf. considered by sponsors and agencies as independent contractors.