Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1949)

SIGHT AND SOUND Streamlining FCC’s internal structure, to speed up handling work load, is objective of S. 1973 to amend Communications Act introduced May 31 by Sen. Ernest W. McFarland (D-Ariz.). Hot policy questions were left out for present, said McFarland who’s chairman of communications investigation subcommittee, in hopes of getting action this session. Principal provisions: setting up of 2 panels of 3 commissioners each, “broadcast” and “communications”; authorizing FCC to issue cease and desist and declaratory orders; removing hearing and review staff from supervision of prosecutory staff; raising pay of commissioners to $15,000 and of chief counsel, engineer and accountant to $12,000. Then, Friday, FCC reacted by announcing separation of review and prosecutory staff, putting 5 review staffers directly under commissioners. Emerson’s president Ben Abrams, back this week from tour of Europe and Israel, stated in interview he’s considering establishing factory in Israel (“the brightest spot I visited”) to turn out table model radios capable of picking up that country’s 2 stations and others in Greece, Turkey, Syria. Israel, he said, has plenty of top-notch technicians, lower wage scale than U. S. He ruled out Britain and other European countries as export markets for U. S. radios because of dollar shortage. Brunswick’s David Kahn, who accompanied him, said he discussed with Israeli bankers possible establishment of cabinet factory. Attitude of top-level Crosley broadcasting officials on impact of TV on AM, as expressed by executive v.p. Robert Dunville at recent annual meeting of Avco stockholders: “It is your management’s belief that AM broadcasting will, within the next 2 or 3 years, show some adverse effect from TV. However, the dear-channel stations, of which WLW is one, and WHAS [purchase by Crosley pends FCC approval] is another, will not suffer to any degree comparable to the small local and regional stations. The limitation on coverage by TV stations makes it imperative for the dear-channel stations to continue to serve the vast rural areas that will not be receiving TV service for a great many years to come.” From minutes of annual stockholders meeting of Loew’s Inc. (MGM): “We have watched television . . . have investigated its various phases. We have not come to the conclusion that we should enter it ... A study has revealed to us that practically every station now operating shows substantial losses . . . We are waiting until there is a reasonable likelihood of a return on the large investment that must be necessarily made before we undertake to do it . . . We are not frightened by television . . . We believe that we are equipped to enter the business of television when and if it seems adviseable . . .” Sonora Radio filed reorganization plan in Chicago Federal Court this week, calling for 15% payment on all unsecured claims (Vol. 5:4). Plan said to bear unanimous approval of creditors’ committee headed by Henry Anderson, Crescent Industries Inc., who called it “liberal effort on the part of creditors to wipe the slate clean and still leave the company with sufficient working capital to continue its business.” Emerson reports highest earnings in its history for 26 weeks ending April 30 — $1,896,127 ($2.37 per share on 800,000 shares) vs. $1,139,244 ($1.42) for same 1948 period and $1,131,466 ($1.41 on 400,000 shares) for 1947 period. Emerson dollar volume is now 65% TV. RMA’s April set production figures, now overdue, are still held up by failure of one company to report. RMA is trying hard to shake it loose, says delay stems from reorganization going on within company. JUNE 4. 1949 Survey of New York area TV set ownership, conducted last 3 months by Advertest Research, New Brunswick, N. J., based on 2,100 interviews, indicates 29.7% are RCA, 16.9 Philco, 14.2 DuMont, 5.5 GE, 4.7 Crosley, 3.8 Emerson, 3.5 Motorola, 3.2 Transvision, 2.6 Admiral, 2.4 Fada, 2.3 Teletone, 2 Magnavox, 1.7 Andrea, 1.5 Olympic, 1.2 Zenith, 1 Stromberg, 1 DeWald. Remainder were Hallicrafters, Sightmaster, Tele-King, StewartWarner, Garod, Westinghouse, et al. Survey also shows brand ownership by income groups, notes 10% of all set owners dissatisfied. Hooper and The Pulse still show disparity in ratings of top TV shows in New York area during May. Hooper’s: Texaco’s Star Theatre, WNBT, 80.5; Lipton’s Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, WCBS-TV, 56.8; Lincoln-Mercury’s Toast of the Town, WCBS-TV, 51.9; Sanka’s The Goldbergs, 51.5; Auto-Lite’s Suspense, WCBS-TV, 48.2; Admiral’s Broadway Revue, WNBT-WABD, 41.4; Chesterfield’s Godfrey and Friends, WCBS-TV, 40.9; P & G’s Fireside Theatre, WNBT, 32.8; Chevrolet Dealers’ Winner Take All, WCBS-TV, 29.3; GE’s Fred Waring Show, WCBS-TV, 29. Pulse’s: Star Theatre, 67; Broadway Revue, 57.7; Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, 52.4; The Goldbergs, 50.4; Godfrey and Friends, 50.2; Toast of Town, 46.5; TV Theatre (Kraft), WNBT, 41.8; Fri. boxing, WNBT, 35.3; Fred Waring, 31.8; Suspense, 30.4. Pulse rates Star Theatre and Godfrey’s Scouts No. 1 and 2 in Chicago and Philadelphia also, Broadway Revue No. 2 in Cincinnati. Extend existing AM labor contracts to cover TV operations — that’s advice of NAB’s labor relations chief Richard P. Doherty in report on Television Jurisdictional Strife issued this week by NAB. His main point is that jurisdictional battles among unions may lead to onerous conditions for TV, caught in middle. Report covers current status of various broadcasting, stage, night club, movie unions in relation to TV ; stresses need for agreement with unions on interchanging AM-FM-TV employes. Prepping for July 15 test of Omaha’s WOW-TV (commercial debut Sept. 1), Nebraska-Iowa Electrical Council is setting up Omaha TV “preview center” which will have some 30 sets (12 makes) hooked together and operating on closed circuit with regular TV programs. Area’s dealers and distributors see first shows June 12, then it’s open to public. Alleged monopolies in radio may be probed by new House Judiciary subcommittee under full committee Chairman Emanuel Celler (D-N.Y.). Group meets June 8 to decide which fields and industries to investigate. Rep. Francis Walter (D-Pa.), who is hot about FM (Vol. 5:17) is also on 7-man subcommittee. First pro grid outfit to ban TV next season is Philadelphia Eagles, which won’t permit TV cameras at Shibe Park home games this fall because many season ticket holders haven’t renewed and because survey of fans indicated many would rather stay home and watch on TV. Baltimore Colts also banned TV last season (Vol. 5:2), Tube experts labeled as “ridiculous” reports of shortened picture tube life, due to viewers turning up brilliance and contrast controls to compensate for (1) light absorption by magnifying lenses, (2) weak signals coming from indoor antennas. Turning up controls, they say, has almost no effect on tube life. Recommended viewing: Telecast on NBC-TV Tue., June 7, 9:30 p.m., from RCA’s TV tube plant at Lancaster, Pa., on occasion of production of millionth picture tube — keyed from new WGAL-TV, Ben Grauer narrating.