Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1948)

NEW MSTiKG OF TV SET MAKERS & SETS: Revised Directory of TV Manufacturers & Receiving Sets, to be published Jan. 1 as part of our quarterly TV Directory No. 6, will list 59 companies definitely reporting they are producing 257 different models of receivers, plus 20 known to be making or planning TV sets but about whom data is incomplete. Add list of 11 unverifiable companies said to be in TV field, 7 kit manufacturers , 7 firms engaged in special installations, 14 cathode ray picture tube manufacturers , 16 lens makers — and we give you an authoritative index to the manufacturing side of the mushrooming TV industry. Our last quarterly directory (No. 5) in October listed 68 companies then reporting set production, plus 6 making kits, plus 44 calling themselves set makers but about whom information was unobtainable. Most of latter turned out to be false alarms, aren't now listed. New Directory, in fact, culls wheat from chaff as best we could, though we suspect a few put down their "plans and prospects" rather than actualities. At all events, all the top producers are listed, with their models. THE BUSINESS SIDS OF TV OPERATION: Angeles* fifth TV station, the CBS-managed (and 49% owned) Los Angeles Times KTTV, begins commercial operation New Year's Day on an approximate 15-hours-per-week schedule, Fridays thru Tuesdays. Roughly, manager Harry Witt plans 5 hours per week of CBS kinescope recordings, 5 of remotes, 5 of studio programs. Among accounts thus far signed are Emerson's "Toast of the Town," Bekins Van & Storage Co., Federal Savings & Loan, Southern California Gas Assn., Farmer's Market, Gillette, Chevrolet, Bulova, GE. Los Angeles becomes only city besides New York with so many stations, should have its full complement of 7 before end of January when NBC's KNBH and ABC's KECA-TV are due to get going. Probably the first TV station to pull out of red will be New Haven's WNHC TV, whose manager Jimmie Milne tells us: "With what business we nov/ have and new accounts starting in January, it is entirely possible we will be in the black by about the 15th [of January]. In fact, we're only a few bucks in the red at this moment." In October, Milne reported WNHC-TV was losing about $1,000 per week (Vol. 4:41), probably lowest of any TV operator. He doesn't disclose bookkeeping details, but WNHC-TV is nation's only community-class station (uses only 1.82 kw visual power), has no TV studios, operates largely as satellite of DuMont's WABD, New York. Among major stations, first to intimate it was anywhere near profit point is Cincinnati's WLWT. Avco's executive v.p. Ray Cosgrove, in year-end statement, says WLWT is "approaching" point of making small profit. However, he added, Avco's 2 new stations in Columbus and Dayton will operate at an initial loss. Further on the commercial side, newly inaugurated WDSU-TV, New Orleans (Vol. 4:50,51) reports it has sold more than 10 hours per week locally, v;ires "impact of TV on New Orleans entertainment field almost staggers the imagination." Even before Dec. 18 debut, more than 2,000 receivers were installed. And an even more ebullient progress report on Memphis' WMCT (Vol. 4:46) is telegraphed by manager Hank Slavik: "WMCT operating schedule now 6:45-10 p.m. , six nights weekly. Formal opening Dec. 11 brought such great response from local advertisers who want on air first week, WMCT had to cease taking new business for 10 days to allow production staff to catch up on making of film shorts, slides, auditions for commercial programs. One advertiser, Stewart's Foods, purchased weekly hour-long wrestling matches plus hourlong Hopalong Cassidy film and 6 spots weekly; also is now dickering for kid shows. Most of TV coin coming from non-AM advertisers. Carrying Philco Playhouse kinescope film from NBC and expect more kinescope commercials from CBS and DuA^ont . Delighted with coverage extending as far as 130 miles in some directions due no doubt to America's highest TV tower, 750 feet. All in all. New Year looks promising and Memphis public seems to love TV." * * * * Too bad coaxial-microwave connections are still too far off to permit TV audiences to watch New Year's Day grid classics due to be covered on non-interconnected stations: Rose Bowl by Los Angeles' KTTV; Sugar Bowl by New Orleans' WDSU-TV; Orange Bowl by Miami's WGBS, which is still only a TV applicant but is carrying game via closed circuit from stadium to paid audience in Bay Front Auditorium. Latter TV stunt was also done by Birmingham's WAP I Dec. 4, covering Auburn-Alabama