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

4 j»0Q2 2 ignuicnt. • Addrsss 3ll insil to Procu.r6in6nt Officsr. In your initiul iGttsr, tell what you make or can make, so that you can be put on right lists. If you want to know what's in store for industry at large in event of allout emergency, get copy of "Planning for Emergency Production" from Mxinitions Board, Pentagon Bldg., Washington 25, D.C. ^ ^ Fullest instructions we've seen on "selling to the armed services" is 8-p. Emergency Report issued by Research Institute of America (Leo Cherne, Leon Henderson) which spells out what to do and where to go in connection with all kinds of contracts. By arrangement, complimentary single copies are available to Television Digest subscribers who request them from Member Relations Division, Research Institute of America, 292 Madison Ave. , New York 17, N.Y. Significant is one point stressed; While onus on "5 per centers" continues, there's no reason why firms shouldn't have own Washington representatives. And, as RIA points out: "A trip to Washington may turn out to be the biggest time-saver. This doesn't mean 'dealing in influence'. It is perfectly legitimate practice to call your product to the attention of the men who buy and use the goods." Topics & Trends of TV Trade: TV receivers, at least the brand names, are “easier to sell today than last fall or spring.” The quotes are from letter from a major distributor, who in turn quotes one of his dealers. This distributor adds: “We’re taxed beyond physical capacity to handle the merchandise and orders.” There you have current TV trade picture at local level —except, one big manufacturer cautions, for a few “spotty” situations. This isn’t a normal summer, it seems, either in production (see p. 1) or demand. Reasons for boom production and buying aren’t hard to find in front-page headlines; yet most of industry would far rather “enjoy” normal summer hiatus than see “scare buying” based on fear of scarcities and higher prices. First TV manufacturer to announce price increases was Emerson. A few days later, DuMont also announced price rises up to 10% on all current models, effective Sept. 1, national sales mgr. Walter L. Stickel stating they’re forced by critical shortages and higher prices of certain parts as well as increased govt, buying. “There is reason to believe,” he added, “that in the near future this trend will continue. Though nothing is being left undone to overcome these handicaps, nevertheless production costs have been adversely affected.” Most other top producers, queried by us and trade press, said they have no present plans to hike prices— but there were quite a few' medium-sized and small ones who clearly indicated they were preparing to do so. When Emerson’s price rise was announced, Admiral’s Ross Siragusa came out with strongly worded statement opposing what he called “unwarranted” prices increased on TVs. Said he: “Cost increases of component parts do not, in our opinion, warrant a price increase at this time and we will maintain our present structure as long as possible. In times such as these, price raises without sound justification are an evil thing, for the TV industry in particular and for all of industry in general. We intend to make every effort to keep our own price structure at a fair level with our costs, no matter what happens.” Meanwhile, factories continued to pour out TVs at maximum pace, geared to capacity after just about all had comjdeted .July vacation shutdowns. “We’ll keep going until we’re stopped,” was characteristic remark. Emerson’s new prices were raised as of July 25, upped 3-16% at factory level. President Ben Abrams had forecast higher prices pre-Korea, when new line was announced (Vol. 6i26), but change came sooner than the 90 days he had implied. He said further increases may come later, if supplies become critical and prices of components go up. “Increased requirements on the part of the Government for electronic equipment,” he said, “are expected to tax the company’s production capacity to the limit.” New Emerson prices are: 673, 1214-in. mohogany table $169.95 (up $20); 660, same in better cabinet, $179.95 (up $10); 664. same in console, $199.95 (up $20); 665, console with AM-phono, doors, $299.95 (up $50); 662, 14-in. plastic table, $189.95 (up $10); 661, 16-in. round, mahogany table, $239.95 (up $40); 668, same in console, $259.95 (up $20); 667, same with half doors, $299.95 (up $30); 666, console with AMFM-phono, doors, $399.95 (up $60); 663, 16-in. rectangular mahogany table, $229.95 (up $30) ; 669, 19-in. round mahogany console, doors, $399.95 (up $60). Blonde models continue $10 higher. 4: * 4: % Motorola’s new line of 29 TVs came out this week, emphasizing cabinet styling (for which it has received Fashion Academy Award); featuring, also “good neighbor” shielding to minimize oscillator radiation, improved power ti’ansformers, widened band for better picture quality, 3-unit chassis (tuner, power supply, IF strip). Motorola is fii’st to offer 17-in. rectangular in plastic cabinet ($200) ; in fact, 19 sets in line are 17-in., and everything is rectangular except for five 19-in. consoles. Here’s line: Three 14-in. models: 14T3, walnut plastic table. $169.95; 14K1, mahogany wood console, $239.95; 14K1B, same in blonde, $249.95. Latter 2 are retained from interim line (TV Direciory No. 11). Nineteen 17-in. models: 17T.3, walnut plastic table. $199.95; 17T1, mahogany wood table, $239.95; 17T1B. same in blonde, $249.95; 17T2, mahogany table, different cabinet, $239.95; 17T2B, same in blonde, $249.95; 17K4, mahogany console, $249.95; 17K1, mahogany console, different cabinet. .$269.95; 17K1B, same in blonde, $279.95; 17K2, mahogany console, half doors, $289.95; 17K2B, same in blonde, $299.95; 17K3, mahogany console, full doors, $329.95; 17K3B, same in blonde, $349.95; 17F5, mahogany console with AM-FM-phono, $399.95; 17F5B, same in blonde. $419.95; 17F1, mahogany console, AM-FM-phono, different