Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1948)

IMPACT OF 16-in. & OTHER TRADE NOTES: Our disclosure that RCA's 16-in. metal-coned tube will soon be available in sets costing $475-§550 (Vol. 4:50) is followed up in Dec. 21 Retailing with report that, as direct result of these new models, prices of 15-in. sets show "signs of dropping to lower levels," may even result in "many secondary manufacturers being driven out of the TV business." Retailing adds: "The lush, overpriced 15-in. market will be driven downward, as will the 10-in. and 12in. markets..." And the Associated Press, in a widely published Dec. 23 dispatch from New York, reporting that other RCA licensees are expected to follow quickly with metal tube models in the same price range, quotes trade sources as saying "a customer would not be inclined to pay $375 or even $325 for a 10-in. set when for so little more he could get one with a picture twice as big." Industry circles, said the AP dispatch, predict a. general reduction in other TV prices would follow the 16-in. debut — auguring a "disturbed" market, to say the least, since 10-in. are bulk of today's production and 16-in. will be relatively few for awhile. This week, also, U.S. Television Mfg. Co. , specialist in tavern TVs but making forays into home field in small way, dropped prices of its 15-in. table model from $895 to $695, 15-in. combination console from $1,495 to $1,095, 10-in. table model from $375 to $325. This may or may not be symptomatic. UST is relatively small company, though quick-triggered on publicity; its November sales of $242,535 were reported as highest ever, other 1947-48 months having averaged about $150,000. Nearly a score of companies listed in our forthcoming Directory of TV Manufacturers & Receiving Sets report they make 15 and 16-in. models, ranging in price from a promised $445 to deluxe $1,759. Most such table models are in $7-800 range. It seems certain they'll be affected by RCA's prices, though RCA's 16-in. tubes may not exceed 250,000 in 1949, thus barely dent over-all market. Besides, RCA has promised to supply its regular tube customers with quotas, and 250,000 won't go very far. Meanwhile, RCA announced it would show its new 16-in. models for first time at Chicago's Winter Furniture Market Jan. 3-15. * # * * * Quest for picture tubes: Though bulbs are now in adequate supply, hunt for finished picture tubes of all sizes is still prime preoccupation of all set makers. Desperately seeking them, some have turned to foreign factories, notably in England, France, Holland — but they usually meet same discouraging condition: absence of mechanized production, slowness of hand production, uncertainties about quality, dependence on U.S. for glass bulbs. Some samples have been brought over, but outlook isn't promising. .. Sylvania' s new tube-making factory at Ottawa, 0. is now in production, turning out 10-in. only; its new Seneca Falls, N.Y. plant may take 6 months to get going. . .Philco ' s Lansdale tube plant, now undergoing modernization, is expected to meet about 30% of company's requirements over next few years; at present, Philco depends primarily on Sylvania and RCA. . . Westinghouse executives, after renewed huddles this week (Vol. 4:50) are still pondering whether to expand into TV picture tube manufacture, won't decide until further studies are completed. ♦ * * * Notes from the TV trade: Howard Radio Co., Chicago, which claims to be one of biggest manufacturers of low-priced radio consoles and combinations, calls TV the main market now, says it will concentrate on TV henceforth. Sales v.p. H. C. Briggs says all future consoles will include space for TV, which customer can add at his convenience; in addition, Howard is producing 10-in. console with AM-FM-LP phono for $665, has same with 12-in. in works, plans line of table, consolette and console models ... Chicago attorney Kenneth C. Prince has been retained by Dr. Lee deForest to negotiate for financing and manufacture of new 10-in. TV (Vol. 4:51), disclosed only as having "radically simplified producing method and improved servicing system." Farnsworth has renamed its 10-in. model "Capehart," which means that label is now on all Farnsworth TV sets... Scott has put Protelgram projection unit into its 51 ,240 Series 800 radio-phonos, new combination due in few weeks, price unannounced ...Emerson's new lO-ln. table Model 611 is priced same as basic 571 ($299.50) but is in different cabinet ; Emerson distributor meetings start Jan. 5 in New York.