Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1949)

Zenith is asking FCC to reconsider its action 2 weeks ago setting whole question of Phonevision for hearing Jan. 16 (Vol. 5:50), and seeks permit for Chicago tests to be held first. In petition this week, Zenith stated it was prepared to spend $400,000 on transmitting equipment, called attention to FCC’s pre-war authorization for Muzak “pigsqueal” radio service to test experimentally (it never did because of war), detailed contract it had drawn up for 300 homes to be used in demonstration. Understood several commissioners may change mind about need for hearing before experiments — which, with Coy and Sterling who dissented originally, would give Comdr. McDonald chance to try Phonevision out. RCA will file results of color co-channel ratio study with FCC next week. RCA won’t divulge its conclusions, but scarcely anyone expects ratios to differ much from those of black-and-white. Apparently, all 3 systems (CBS, CTI, RCA) were tested in laboratory setup. If difference in ratios between color and black-and-white is negligible, it would make it easier for Commission to begin vhf-uhf allocations hearing any time it wants to, regardless whether color decision has been made. If it decides at end of color hearing that systems need more development, it could go ahead with black-and-white, knowing color (if 6 me is adequate) could be authorized later without disrupting station spacing. Color Television Inc. filed progress report with FCC Friday, related that lack of adequate receiver tubes has hampered work. There have been no radio transmissions since Oct. 22; resumption is planned (via San Francisco’s KPIX) Jan. 3. Equipment has been made portable, put in 18 “moderate-sized” cases. Seven receivers are in process of completion. Tri-color tubes it had at time of hearing are no longer useful. Of tubes received from DuMont, first useable one came Dec. 12; 2 more arrived Dec. 21. Rauland said it can’t make any more, though it made earlier ones. RCA supplied phosphors “with reasonable promptness.” Six sets will be used in Washington tests. Two Philco engineers worked month on gamma control, color transmitter amplifier, preliminary receiver design. CTI also reports it has increased staff from 8 to 20. Color programming for next month (Vol. 6:52) must be costing CBS pretty penny. It released schedule including such talent as Faye Emerson, Earl Wrightson, Meg Mundy; such programs as Golden Gloves from Washington’s Turner’s Arena, famous paintings and ballet dancer from National Art Gallery, play from Catholic U theatre. Just about all public observation will be in Washington; New York and Philadelphia transmissions are for technical tests. There will be 4 sets in Washington’s Statler; groups will be invited there for shows. Another location, yet unnamed, will have 15-20 sets; it will be “semi-public,” invitations being extended to large groups. Not that it held up Paramount reorganization Jan. 1 into 2 companies (Vol. 5:52), but FCC this week refused to okay station transfers (including WBKB, Chicago) to new United Paramount Theatres Inc. without considering qualifications of new licensee. Paramount wanted action taken immediately, subject to later revision. FCC’s action has Paramount attorneys in stew. More recent British pictures have been signed up for TV. This week. Standard Television Corp. bought exclusive TV rights to 75 J. Arthur Rank productions, all made since 1944, about 60 of which have never been shown in U. S. Among titles are such recent films as Tawny Pipit, Nicholas Nickleby and Waterloo Road. Firm’s president is Irvin Shapiro, general manager Robert H. Wormhoudt — both associated with Film Equities Corp., 10 E. 49th St., New York City. Financial and trade notes: DuMont this week got 15year $750,000 loan on new Clifton (N.J.) plant from Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Co., Newark . . . Hoffman Radio reports $10,352,000 combined factory and sales corporation sales for first 11 months of 1949, estimates earnings after taxes at $1,061,000 ($4.16 per share) . . . Admiral’s John Huarisa notes his company had gross sales of $110,000,000 in 1949 and “is currently the largest dollar volume TV manufacturer in the country [making] one set every 10 seconds,” now employs more than 500 people. Trade personals: David Davis, TV-radio buyer for Macy’s, new GE TV-radio merchandising coordinator, reporting to marketing mgr. Ernest Vogel . . . James N. Ryan, ex-Eagle Electric Co., now Tele-tone asst. gen. sales mgr. . . . Edward A. Mailing new sales mgr. for component parts at GE Receiver Division . . . Melvin B. Schwartz, ex-Sperry and Federal, new sales mgr. of Television Equipment Corp. . . . H. James Tait named Eastern states regional sales mgr. for DuMont receiver division. SMPE definitely changes name as of Jan. 1 to Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers, president Earl Sponable announces after overwhelming majority of membership (nearly 90%) voted favorably. Now SMPTE will undertake drive to enroll TV engineers as members. RCA has sold 5 kw TV transmitters to Brazilian publisher-broadcaster Dr. Assis Chateaubriand and to Cuban broadcaster Goar Mestre. Both will operate on American, 60-cycle standards. Brazilian station will be at San Paulo, is due to begin operation June, 1950. Cuban station will be adjunct of CMQ, Havana, is expected to get on air commercially this fall. NBC hikes rates of its 5 TV stations as of Jan. 1 — New York’s WNBT now having highest local rate in country, up from $1500 to $2000. Other hikes: WNBW, Washington, up from $200 to $375; WNBK, Cleveland, up from $200 to $400; WNBQ, Chicago, up from $500 to $750; KNBH, Los Angeles, up from $500 to $750. Announcement rates go up too: $400, $75, $90, $125, $125 for each station, respectively. Station accounts: WOR-TV, New York, claims largest single order ever given one station when local Chevrolet Dealers Assn, bought all available spots plus 60 Telefax News, 15-min., Dec. 26-Jan. 11, in connection with new 1950 model; on WJZ and WJZ-TV combined, same sponsor bought total of about 300 spots, and took spots also on 4 other N. Y. stations . . . RCA Victor planning big use of all media, including TV, to promote new TV line (see Trade Report) . . . Tele King to sponsor panel of shovTolk, with Hal Tunis as m.c., on WATV, Newark, starting Jan. 9, Mon. 8-8:30 . . . Rose Bowl via KTTV, Los Angeles, got that station, beside Gillette for game itself, sponsorships of concomitant events by Standard Federal Savings & Loan, L. A. Federal Saving & Loan, GE Supply, Hoffman Radio . . . Philadelphia’s Mzimmers Parade on WFIL-TV Jan. 2 sponsored by Petrol Corp. (Cities Service gas & oil) ... Goebel Beer with Harry Heilman again signed to sponsor Detroit Tigers home games on WWJ-TV . . . Among advertisers currently using or reported planning to use TV are Consolidated Royal Chemical Corp. (Frank’s shaving cream), thru Ruthrauff & Ryan; Venice Maid Co. (foods), thru Schoenfeld, Huber & Green; Standard Varnish Works, thru Lucerna Co.; Cribben & Sexton Co, (Universal gas ranges), thru Christiansen Adv. Agency, Chicago . . . Cities Service Co., film spots thru Ellington & Co. (in lieu of TV portion of NBC simulcasts of Band of America, concluding Jan. 9). NBC-TV v.p. Pat Weaver starts his Sat. 8-10:30 p.m, cooperative project Feb. 4, sequential program with 3 participants per half hour, stations retaining 30-second station breaks. It’s designed to attract smaller advertisers.