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

12 Topics & Trends oi TV Trade: Philadelphia may or may not be indicative of national trend, but its first quarter TV sales figures, as released by Electrical Assn., are quite eloquent. They show total of 79,907 sets sold first 3 months of this year for retail dollar volume of $27,992,605. This compares with 93,188 for $26,992,605 in same period last year, the dollar volume holding up because 1951 average price per unit was $350 vs. $279 in 1950. During all 1950, total TV sales in Philadelphia area were 364,233 units as against 220,366 in 1949 and 82,606 in 1948. Seventeen brands of receivers are covered in Philadelphia report, which showed 34,329 sold in January (up 43 Vr from the 23,970 for same month last year); 25,151 in February (down 15% from 29,688); 20,427 in March (down 49<"( from 39,530). Apparently, the recession in sales volume began in February. Chicago Electric Assn, reports TV sales there fell to 18,176 in March, only slightly more than half preceding month. Washington’s downward trend is indicated by estimates that sales fell from 14,150 in January to 10,350 in February, 9500 in March, 8540 in April. ^ Machinery price order (CPR-30), issued by Office of Price Stabilization May 3, is practically identical with manufacturers’ price order issued last week (Vol. 7:17), covers TV-radio transmitters, studio equipment, all electronic parts. OPS is expected, however, to divide controls on electronic parts to bring those primaidly used in TV-radio under manufacturers’ regulation. RTMA production figures for first 1951 quarter, revised by its statisticians, indicate 645,716 TVs turned out by industry as whole in January, 679,319 in February, 874,634 in March — total of 2,199,669, as against the 2,196,016 we reported on basis of tallying first 13 weeks’ reports (Vol. 7:14). Radio total is given as 4,235,669, of which 2,603,532 were home radios, 1,329,875 auto, 302,190 portable. The TV total compares with 1,605,200 for same 1950 quarter, radio with 3,343,600 for same 1950 quarter. Casualty of current trade slump was revealed this week with announcement that small private-label set and components maker S. M. A. Co., Chicago, had been sold to investment 'canker Samuel C. Rudolph, 640 Madison Ave., New York, who paid $173,000 for assets and inventory. Chester Lytle continues as president. TV production, half company’s business, is down to 60% of first quarter, which ran at rate of 20,000 sets a year. Heavy inventories, lull in TV sales, lack of military orders were given as reasons for sale. RTMA annual meeting will be June 4-7 in Chicago’s Stevens Hotel, not dates previously reported erroneously; RTMA board May 8 will be host to new president, Glen McDaniel, at reception in Carlton Hotel, Washington. Other upcoming meetings include May 21-23 Parts Distributor Show in Hotel Stevens, Chicago, to be addressed by Indiana Steel’s A. D. Plamondon Jr., RTMA chairman Robert C. Sprague, Sylvania’s Frank W. Mansfield. March excise tax collections on TV-radio sets, components, phonos reached new high of $23,390,352, more than double $11,349,880 collected in Febi’uary (Vol. 7:13), considerably more than $19,439,774 in January (Vol. 7:10). Total excises collected from TV-radio industry for 9 months from July 1950 were $82,881,327, compared to previous 9 months’ $29,474,108. “Rediscovery” of the 14-in. tube is reflected in RTMA members’ picture tube sales for March. Although 91% of 608,396 total were 16-in. and up, 6% were 14-in., compared with 31-4 % in February. At same time, 24-in. and 30-in. rose from 1483 to 2324. Total sold for $16,064,425, compared with February’s 634,080 at $17,555,375 (Vol. 7:14). Emerson cut prices $15 to $145 on full 22-model line as of May 1, distributors being rebated on all purchases of last 30 days and instructed to rebate dealers on same terms. Prices are lowest yet offered by Emerson, but schedule was to be effective “no longer than 60 days,” according to president Ben Abrams. New prices do not include excise tax or warranty, lumped extra, which had been included in old prices. Hence, dov.m payment under Regulation W should be within reach of average purchaser, said Mr. Abrams. Move w’as dictated by oversupply, he admitted, estimating industry inventory is about 2,000,000 sets and Emerson production is now dovm to 60%; of first quarter. These are new Emerson pi'ices, not including excise or warranty (old prices, including tax-warranty, arc in parentheses) : Table models — 14-in., Model 662, plastic walnut $149.95 ($179.95). 17-in., 676, mahogany, $199.95 ($299.95); blonde, $209.95 ($309.95); 680, mahogany, better cabinet, $219.95 ($299.95); 696, mahogany, deluxe cabinet, $219.95 ($299.95). Consoles — 17-in., Model 686, mahogany, $249.95 ($349.95); blonde, $259.95 ($359.95); 681 & 687, mahogany, doors, $279.95 ($379.95); blonde $299.95 ($399.95). 19-in., 688, mahogany, $269.95 ($439.95); 689, mahogany, half doors, $299.95 ($459.95); blonde, .$319.95 ($479.95); 690, mahogany, full doors, $319.95 ($479.95); blonde, $349.95 ($509.95). 20-in., 692, mahogany, $359.95 ($459.95); 693, mahogany, half doors, $379.95 ($479.95); blonde, $399.95 ($499.95); 694, mahogany, full doors, $399.95 (.$499.95); blonde, $429.95 ($529.95). Combinations — 16-in., 666, mahogany, AM-FM-phono, $399.95 ($499.95). * * * * Trade Miscellany: Federal Reserve Bank of New York reports dollar value of TV inventories held by dept, stores in Second Federal Reserve district as of March 31 was 446% ahead of same date 1950 . . . Herald Tribune April suiwey of N. Y. dept, stores showed 5 went ahead of April year ago in TV-radio sales “as a result of heavy promotional effort,” showing gains up to 65%; but 6 stores showed declines ranging from 6%? to 74%o . . . Newspaper advertising of TVs in 49 cities totaled 10,766 standardsized newspaper pages first quarter 1951, reports Advertising Checking Bureau, about 77% placed by local dealers; total was nearly same as same period 1950 . . . Latest RCA Antenaplex installation is in 261-suite “100 Memorial Drive” apartment house, Cambridge, Mass., owned by New England Mutual Life . . . Reeves Soundcraft Corp. has purchased Bergen Wire Rope Co., Lodi, N. J., maker of specialty wire . . . Sylvania has released new vest pocket TV Tube Selector, listing more than 100 picture tube types, indexed as to sizes, shapes, metal or glass, coating, etc. Price Miscellany: Kaye-Halbert lists 20-in. walnut table at $239.95, mahogany .$259.95, blonde $279.95 . . . International Television Corp. this week advertised 17-in. mahogany table at $199.95 . . . Pathe cut 20-in. console from $399.50 to $249.50, with doors from $449.50 to $269.50; these are in addition to 12 & 17-in. price cuts reported last week (Vol. 7:17). “Selective” mobile communications system for cabs, trucks, etc. was announced by GE this week. It permits headquarters to talk to each car individually, all others excluded from conversation. Avco has purchased all stock of Horn Mfg. Co., Ft. Dodge, la., manufacturer of hydraulic loader attachments for tractors, stalk shredders, wagon boxes; will operate it under Horn name as wholly owned subsidiary. British Marconi, beating U. S. competition, has sold 3 camera chains to UN for program originations from New York headquarters.