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

Record Details:

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PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY RADIO NEWS BUREAU, 1519 CONNECTICUT AVE. N.W., WASHINGTON 6, D.C. TELEPHONE MICHIGAN 2020 • VOL. 7, NO. 30 {Station Power Hikes — Everyone Gains, page 1. Modus Operandi for Ending the Freeze, page 2. 10 Station Sold to Date, More Pend, page 3. Color Labs Race CBS’s ‘Head Start,’ page k July 28, 1951 Congress Breaks Regulation W Log-Jam, page 7. Business Outlook & TV-Radio Trade, page 7. New Steel-Copper Cuts in Prospect, page 8. Trade, Mobilization, Financial Notes, pages 9-11. Full Text of TV Power-Boost Order Published as Supplement No. 74, herewith City-by-City Deadlines for Comments in Allocations Proceedings Published as Supplement No. 73, herewith STATION POWER HIKES-EVERYONE GAINS; Wider TV station coverage and improved pictures in a few areas — in a matter of days. Similar improvement for virtually all other TV markets — potentially. And all before end of freeze. That*s meaning of "power increase" order issued by FCC this week (full text in Supplement No. 74 herewith), its first action after adopting "written hearing" procedure designed to hasten end of freeze (see story, p. 2). Action won't revolutionize TV coverage overnight, by any means, but it does offer prompt relief for those few markets cursed with very weak signals — while promising long-run benefits to public everywhere and enhancing set markets and stations' coverage claims. Specifically, FCC will permit stations to radiate up to 50 kw effective radiated power (ERP), with heights up to 2000 ft., for 6-month periods renewable at end of each period. Only 3 exceptions are stations designated as "community" under old rules — WGAL-TV, Lancaster, Pa. ; WDEL-TV, Wilmington, Del. ; WNHC-TV, New Haven, Conn. These are limited to 1 kw ERP, presumably with 2000 ft., though ruling isn't specific about height. Though new order leaves some questions unanswered, one provision is clear: Any station now operating 5-kw transmitter at less than full output may run it wide open simply by requesting and obtaining FCC permission to do so. Permission may be requested informally, by letter or wire. Commission promises quick action in absence of complications — and few are expected. FCC engineers count 45 stations now running 5-kw transmitters at less than full 5-kw rated output. These may boost powers simply by turning a few transmitter dials. Of these, most will gain only slightly. A few should show marked improvement ; for example. New York's WJZ-TV may go from 3 kw to 16-18 kw, WOR-TV from 9 kw to 22 kw. Columbus' WTVN can hike from 6 kw to 19.7 kw ; Miami's WTVJ is eligible to jump from 2.2 kw to 16.5 kw, etc., etc. [For list of all 45 stations, with present transmitter outputs, see p. 6. By using Television Factbook No. 15, showing present ERPs of these stations, engineers may calculate ERPs immediately possible.] Within 48 hours, 15 stations had requested power hikes (see list, p. 6), * =S: * * Confusion arises where stations are now operating transmitters full blast, as most of them are. People at FCC differ on interpretations, but most think such stations may increase ERF and coverage by installing antennas with greater gain and/or by building higher towers — but not by installing bigger transmitters. One commissioner puts it this way; "We don't want people investing large sums for equipment for facilities which won't be final until end of the freeze." He said reason for permitting use of higher-gain antennas, but not more powerful transmitters, is that antenna is minor investment. Copyright 1951 by Radio News Biireau AUG 3 1951