Television digest with electronics reports (Jan-Dec 1952)

RECORD HIGH OUTPUT, LOW INVENTORY: Upsurge in production continues, along with drop in factory inventories, according to weekly RTMA report. Year's record TV output of 168,508 (10,091 private label) is shown for week ended Sept. 26; in fact, it's highest figure since mid-March 1951. At same time, factory inventories fell to 172,651 from 205,658 the week before — lowest since first week in January. Week was 59th of RTMA's statistical year — meaning first 5 quarters have resulted in TV output of 5,674,682 (preliminary total subject to slight revision). Since last quarter is normally best, it's foregone certainty year's total will go to 5,000,000 — very likely will be even more. Radio production was 212,841 (92,811 private label) for week ended Sept. 26, up nearly 25,000 from the week before. Radio inventory was 244,651, virtually unchanged. Week's radios were 87,950 home sets, 29,598 portables, 44,254 clock, 51,059 auto. Total radio output for 59 weeks was 6,756,024. PRICES ARE UP, KEYED BY PICTURE TUBES: Not much question about it now — TV prices are going up due to higher component costs, especially tubes. Also due to shortages and to higher labor costs. Increases usually are $10 or $20 per set, sometimes $50. Besides those reported last week as having raised some lists (Admiral, CBSColumbia, Munta, Scott, Sylvania) , similar $10 to $50 hikes in at least part of their lines were announced this week by Crosley, Motorola, Packard-Bell , Trav-Ler, Kaye-Halbert — and more seem to be on the way. As we stated last week, "No one will be surprised if more are announced before these words are read." The wavering attitude of those who say they're still "studying" the situation is reflected in this statement by Westinghouse TV-radio manager Tod Sloan: "We are making every effort to hold the line; however, in the face of steadily rising costs that every industry is feeling, some upward price adjustment may have to be made." And DuMont general manager Irving Rosenberg: "We have no present intention to raise set prices but, with labor and materials going up, anything can happen." Even small radios are up: Admiral this week raised 2 clock radios by $2 & $5 and its table radio-phono by $10 to $80. RCA table radio-phono went up $10 to $70. * * * $ Scarcities fast developing in the boom TV market, unrelieved by govt, material restrictions, provide key to price situation. There are some who now feel sure TV production will go to 6,000,000 this year, provided materials can be had. These are components people who generally have better "feel" of overall situation than do individual manufacturers. Among latter. Zenith v.p. Sam Kaplan is quoted in New York Journal of Commerce as predicting output of 5,000,000 TVs for final 6 months of this year, Admiral's Ross Siragusa predicting 2,700,000 same period. TV price trends are sparked by picture tubes more often than not — and the current situation is no exception. Though RCA says it has no present plans to raise tube prices, GE wires us it's "giving serious consideration to increasing picture tube prices based on analysis in process to determine effect of rising labor costs." There would seem to be little doubt what's coming, however, in light of what other major tubemakers have done. Following Sylvania 's new picture tube prices for Oct. 1 (with 90-day protection), DuMont this week announced same increases: Standard all-glass tubes went up as follows: Type 21FP4A, 21-in. electro static focus, cylindrical-faced tube, from $26.50 to $27.75; 21EP4A, with magnetic focus, from $25 to $26.75; 17LP4 , 17-in. electrostatic focus, cylindrical-face, and 17HP4, spherical-face, both from $16. 50 to $17. 75 ; 17B4A, magnetic focus, sphericalface, from $15. 75-$16. 25 to $17.25. 10