Television digest with AM-FM reports (Jan-Dec 1950)

TV STEALS THE MUSIC MERCHANTS SHOW: There were only 50 TV exhibitors (out of some 250) at this week's Music Merchants Show in Chicago's Palmer House — but their 57 exhibits and private showroom displays were unquestionably the major centers of attraction. More than that, they were source of substantial amount of order-taking. Actually, musical instruments were hardly in evidence in the more public places, like the exhibition hall, though they occupied 7th & 8th floors entirely. NAMM officials say TV has benefited musical instrument sales, pointing to Arthur Godfrey's popularization of the ukulele, now being made at rate of 3000 per day. They also like fact that TV viewers, especially youngsters, can see instruments and get urge to play; that family circle has been reestablished at home, making for more musical creativeness. Some TV exhibitors showed new lines for first time at show, though most had previously been announced and have been reported in detail in The Digest. You'll find details about others, as gathered at show, in Topics & Trends column in this issue. TV manufacturer-exhibitors were: Admiral, Ansley, Atwater, Brunswick, DuMont, Fisher, Freed, GE, Jackson, Kaye-Halbert , Magnavox, Majestic, Mercury, Motorola, Pathe, Philco, RCA, Raytheon (Belmont), Scott, Sparton, Starrett, Stromberg-Carlson, Sylvania, Tele King, Tele-tone, Trad, Trans-Vue, Video Corp., Westinghouse , Zenith. * * * * Cynosure of NAMM show undoubtedly was DuMont 50-in. direct-view job (Vol. 6:27). Big tube was operating in large console on raised dais at entrance to DioMont exhibit, working (as did all other sets) off Jerrold master antenna (Vol. 6:25). Picture was good, though there was yellowish tinge in center. GE's Dr. W. R. G. Baker, when asked at press conference what picture size might be largest practicable, flatly stated 30in. — because, he said, it was about same size as home movie screen. GE showed own 24-in. tube, but not in operation. Asked about Dr. DuMont's reference to 15x20-ft. direct-view tube for theatre TV, Dr. Baker opined it could be done, but it seemed to him "the hard way to do it." Among many gimmicks, significant were GE and others featuring ability to modify sets for uhf when that spectrum is officially opened. GE has "uhf" lettered on station selector knob between Channels 5 & 6; idea^is to use either one of those channel settings for uhf when first station in a town gets going. Maj estic showed turret tuners in its sets, which Admiral and Zenith also have. Among accessories shown were TV tables, one with swivel top; coin-meter clocks to be used by retailers selling TVs on installment-collection basis ; leather photograph frame with TV antenna enclosed behind picture. RCA and GE featured casters on some consoles, RCA showing swivel-mounted Modern console (Vol. 6:27). TOP 10 ACCOUNT FOR 75% OF OUTPUT: TV manufacturers account for approximately 65% of total TV sets, 4 for another 10%, some 60 for remainder, in 4 leading markets — New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston. The 6 leaders (order not divulged) are Admiral . DuMont , Emerson, Motorola. Philco . RCA. Those ranking 7, 8, 9 & 10 aren't disclosed because of wide gap from top 6 — but it's good guess they're drawn from these also listed in "guesstimates" of last winter (Vol. 6:8): Crosley, GE, Hallicraf ters , Tele-tone , Westinghouse . Zenith. Foregoing are by-product findings of continuing study of TV commercials conducted monthly by Daniel Starch & Staff. 420 Lexington Ave., New York. They're based on 2000 personal interviews in homes of TV set owners, conducted over last 5 months primarily to get reactions to commercials. Also compiled are data on size of families, ages, income, period owned, etc. Fully half the 2000. Starch researchers admit, are in New York metropolitan area, which would weigh heavily for DuMont. Los Angeles area, which ranks third (ahead of Philadelphia and Boston in sets-in-use ; Vol. 6:25), wasn't covered.