Television digest with AM-FM reports (Jan-Dec 1951)

5 some sort at vhf channels in "closed cities” where all vhf are now occupied — presumably at renewal time. Educators and Comr. Hennock don't see eye to eye any longer on question of "percentage” reservation. Miss Hennock keeps plugging for 25% of all channels. Educators, JCET at least, have dropped talk of percentages, merely ask for "more". Ford Foundation came across again, to tune of $260,000, for Iowa State College's WOI-TV — though it's on FCC lists as a commercial outlet since it takes such programs from all netv/orks. At week's end. Foundation granted $500,000 for "tape netvjork" of National Assn, of Educational Broadcasters, to be administered by Lowell Institute , Boston. Institute itself has applied for FM, presumably will go for TV. Sen. Benton took up cudgels again in May 3 closed-circuit address from New York to Columbus, Ohio, meeting of Institute for Education by Radio-TV. The Senator has been working closely with JCET, its counsel Telford Taylor (who recently joined board of Skiatron, promoter of Subscriber-Vision; Vol. 7:17), and Ford Foundation. He suggests that Congress might make "grantsin-aid" to support educational TV, that FCC put the bee on commercial stations for more "public service," that educators become "publicists and promoters and politicians." Sen. Benton tells us he's reexamining his resolution (S.Res. 127, calling for 90-day Congressional study of educational question) to see whether it needs changing. He said Senators Johnson and McFarland have assured him hearing soon. Percentage of time on commercial stations seems to be Sen. Benton's major motive now. Here's how he puts it: "I'd rather have one hour every night on NBC than an educational station in every state." He also continues pitch for subscription TV — a la Skiatron ' s SubscriberVision and Zenith's Phonevision — thinks they'd contribute to education in addition to "providing healthy competition" to an "advertising-supported system." In speech to the Ohio group, Comr. Hennock said she wants 500 channels reserved instead of 200, that "the obstacle of funds has been overrated." New York's Rep. Emanuel Celler renewed lobbying for his bill (H.Res. 3542) to make commercial stations devote 25% of their time to "non-commercial, educational programs, sustained or sponsored." In letter to New York Times May 4, he again labels channel reservation idea "unworkable and undesirable." Spokesman for the radio broadcasters, many standing to be left out in cold in view of paucity of channels and educators' slice. Broadcasting Magazine was quite bitter in its editorial attack April 30 on Hennock scheme. It stated: "In unvarnished words, this is a crusade for socialized TV... Our school systems are in dire financial need. Teachers are under-paid. New construction is needed. The entire program lags. Then how can prudent government, whether local, state or Federal, espouse TV stations involving an initial investment of half a million per entity plus annual operating overheads (deficits) to match? "There must be a reason. It is the lust for power — political power and perpetuation of politicians in office..." Opposition from Sen. Johnson is indicated, for he said: "I doubt very much that any educational institution in Colorado will attempt to operate a TV station in the next 20 years. The cost is way beyond them. They're having a hard time keeping their doors open, let alone spending $1000 a day to operate a TV station. I can't speak for other states, but I certainly can for Colorado." And some ostensibly well-heeled schools have approached lawyers with query: " Can't we become partially commercial somehow ? " u. ^ ^ 5|s ^ Filed this week was potentially significant document from WKMH, Dearborn, Mich, Station owner Fred Knorr stuck his neck out, cautioned FCC that its freezeending procedures appear to violate statutes and "invite court action" — making possible more years of delay. At same time, petition said "no threat of court action" was intended, and it suggested method of lifting freeze "almost immediately." Laws violated, according to petition (not an allocation comment) filed by