Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1949)

MARTIN CODEL’s AUTHORITATIVE NEWS SERVICE OF THE VISUAL BROADCASTING AND FREQUENCY MODULATION ARTS AND INDUSTRY THE CHANGING INDUSTRY PICTURE: How the makers and sellers — manufacturers and distributors — size up the metamorphosis currently taking place in the radio field, as stated by retiring RMA president Max Balcom at this week's Chicago convention: "Even with an assured and tremendous increase in TV in the near future, radio will continue to provide a service for home entertainment indefinitely, especially so in the areas which cannot be reached by TV in the near future. . .FM has been of course outpaced in public acceptance by TV, but the future of FM, enhanced by public acquaintance with TV in which it is now largely used, offers large possibilities. . . " And, statistically, you quickly perceive, from what the industry leaders said, why the set and parts makers have their hearts — and pocketbooks — in the flourishing TV business; Public has already invested $500,000,000 in TVs. More than 50% of industry's dollar volume is now coming from TV. Components business flourishes, for TV set uses average of 23 tubes and kinescope (vs. 6 tubes in average radio), may use 115 resistors (vs. 15), up to 5 transformers (vs. 2), over 100 condensers (vs. 5-25). And — Some 6,000,000 TV receivers will be in use by 1951 (current average factory price: about $225). This year's production of TVs will add 2,000,000 or more to the 1.000. 000 counted at beginning of year. Radio set production will go down to about 10.000. 000 this year (average price: about $30) from 1948's 16,500,000 and 1947's peak 20,000,000. RMA production figures will henceforth show TVs with AM-FM radios; quarterly distribution figures will be revised to cover 49 principal TV markets. NOTES ON TV MARKET & MARKETEERS: Main pitch of the billion-dollar TV trade now seems to be for the "poor man's market" — and receiver prices are scaling downward accordingly. In a market already dubiously distinguished by widespread retail price cutting, it looks like an even merrier scramble ahead for business among the lowerincome families in the still-too-f ew TV areas of the country. yghat with the TV station freeze, the inevitable delays in new station construction after freeze is thawed by FCC (September, maybe), toughening sales competition, importance of brand names — it's hard to figure how all the 100-odd TV set makers (see TV Directory No. 7 and Vol. 5:14-21) can sweat out this crucial year and next. But to hear them talk and to read their ads, they're all doing nicely in today's high dollar volume market. This week was especially notable for new models, new prices. With Admiral's $249.50 plastic console (Vol. 5:20) setting the lower-price pace, with RCA's $269.50 table model out Friday, with Hallicraf ters and Garod offering $200 sets, it can be said that the 10-in. market has really "broken." Here's the trade roundup of a week unusually replete with significant announcements: * * * * * Enigma of the field is Philco, one of whose distributors confides he's tearing his hair for TV merchandise. It's apparent that Admiral , now producing 10,000 TV units per week (Vol. 5:20), has taken Philco 's commanding merchandising position away, for the moment at least — may even be surpassing RCA's reputed No. 1 unit and dollar position. Inquiry develops that Philco now is shipping mainly its slow-to Copyrlght 1949 by Radio News Bureau