Television digest with electronics reports (Jan-Dec 1952)

6 ing Circuito CMQ's stations in Havana, Matanzas, Santa Clara, Camaguey & Santiago. (2) 4-hop 110-mile setup connecting El Mundo's planned outlets in Matanzas & Santa Clara. Latter also plans extensions to Havana & Santiago (Vol. 8:11). * * * * What puzzles many at FCC and in industry is fact common carriers, notably AT&T, didn't snatch up this new business — presumably a natural for them. Some state flatly that "AT&T just missed the boat." AT&T doesn't in slightest concede that it got caught with its plans down. Spokesman says company is, and always has been, prepared to supply the kind of services various industries are getting with microwave — "but they evidently think they can do it cheaper and more reliably." AT&T people say they hear reports of difficulties with various systems, and they leave the distinct impression that company wouldn't be least bit surprised to find private microwave owners getting disgusted with headaches and dumping their troubles into AT&T's experienced hands. * * * * Cost of equipment runs $600-$1200 per mile, depending on terrain, number of channels (up to 24 for voice can be handled), whether there's automatic control or metering, etc. Price is going down as influx of orders makes mass production possible, and each manufacturer gives the assurance that "bugs" in gear, if any, are rapidly being exterminated. Comparing microwave with wire or cable, equipment makers' biggest claims are cost (about half) and relative invulnerability to weather — plus tremendous savings (up to 99%) in critical copper supplies. Since much of cost involves purchase of land, firms that already own rightsof-way (like oil, gas, railroads) are doubly tempted to install own systems. Equipment makers are stepping up promotion on all fronts — brochures, publicity releases, stockholders reports, etc. — eager to capture their share of a business with apparently limitless future. And everyone in the fiercely competitive and cyclical electronics industry is always happy to divert some eggs into yet another basket. Attesting to increased interest in subject. May Radio & Television News has included excellent 64-p. special section with 8 articles by industry experts, on such subjects as economics, non-communications applications (e.g., radar), types of equipment. Section lists all major microwave installations in U.S. (with frequencies, locations, call signs), plus directory of manufacturers. QUESTION whether Paramount Pictures Corp. tried to hold back DuMont’s TV operations in early 1940s was carefully probed this week, as FCC’s Paramount hearing resumed. Commission counsel apparently attach much significance to subject. There were only 2 days of testimony, one witness, Paramount Pictures’ v.p. Paul Raibourn, in latest chapter of proceedings to decide fate of proposed ABC-United Paramount Theatres merger, plus chances of DuMont and Paramount Pictures to expand TV station ownership. Commission counsel asked if Pai’amount attempted “to do with DuMont substantially what you later did with Scophony.” Previously, counsel had implied that Paramount tried to suppress TV patents of old Scophony Corp. (Vol. 8:16) which, like DuMont, was part owned by Paramount. Letter written by Dr. Allen B. DuMont in 1941 was introduced, charging that Paramount director Stanton Griffis said “he would not put in a dime in TV” and asking that Paramount help DuMont or free it to go elsewhere for financial aid. Raibourn strongly denied trying to obstruct DuMont. He explained that in 1941 there was little immediate future in commercial TV and, with war coming on, he advised firm to make oscillographs and other equipment for war effort. Good guess is that hearing won’t finish before end of May, which probably means final decision won’t come before end of year. DuMont’s rebuttal case is scheduled May 5; Donald Stewart, network’s film dept, mgr., and possibly Chris Witting, network gen. mgr., will testify. Commission witness Arthur Levey, ex-Scophony head and now president of Skiatron Corp., subscription-TV developer (see page 12), will appear for most of rest of week UPT director A. H. Blank is only other announced witness, but Commission indicates it will call others. * * * * Three TV networks’ 1951 expenditures for film were entered in record this wreek, on insistence of DuMont, which contends that ABC would be in far better competitive position than other networks if it merged with UPT, a $30,000,000-a-year film buyer. ABC’s total was $1,339,479, CBS’s $642,000, DuMont’s $559,457. ABC breakdown (including 5 owned and operated stations): features, $884,259; shorts, $363,525; newsreels, $62,409; special TV films, $29,284. CBS (including 2 stations): features, $615,000; other types, $27,000. DuMont (including 3 stations): special TV films, $290,709; features, $241,650; shorts, $13,471; newsreels, $8288; documentaries, $5338. NBC isn’t party to hearing, but examiner Leo Resnick indicated he may ask for its figures, if needed to clarify issue.