Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1953)

4 uhf experimental station, which convinced gen. mgr. Clair McCollough that uhf has solid place in TV's future. It joins NBC network. Robert Meeker is rep. WCOS-TV, Columbia, S.C. (Ch. 25) , which ran first tests early this week, went on with full power April 23, will be affiliated with ABC & NBC. It's owned by C.W. Pittman, managed by Stewart Spencer, represented by Headley-Reed. Correction : We were misinformed, hence erred in reporting that Rockford's WTVO (Ch. 39) is already on air; it hasn't started yet, though is due momentarily. (For other imminent starters, see list at end of TV log, p. 16.) 4 CPs GRANTED, HEARINGS IN FULL SWING: Second post-freeze examiner's decision on TV (Ft. Wayne) and 4 new CPs constituted FCC's action this week as 5 commissioners got ready for trip to NARTB convention in Los Angeles. At week's end, only Comrs. Webster and Doerfer weren't planning to go. The week's CPs — making grand total 348: Keene , N. H. , WKNE, Ch. 45; Miami, Okla. , Miami TV Co., Ch. 58; Wheeling, W. V a. , WTRF (Bellaire, 0.), Ch. 7. Ohio State U (WOSU) was granted reserved educational Ch. 34 in Columbus — 15th educational CP to date. Examiner Fanney Litvin's initial decision in Ft. Wayne Ch. 33 case favored WKJG over News-Sentinel (WGL). Her reasons for preferring WKJG: greater degree of integration of ownership with management ; greater diversification of business interests of WKJG owners; WGL's principal stockholder, Helene Foellinger, controls both Ft. Wayne newspapers — News-Sentinel and Journal Gazette. What with the filing of exceptions, oral argument, etc., final decision won't come for several months. First post-freeze examiner's decision for Denver's Ch. 7 went to oral argument before commissioners April 23. Final decision is expected within a month. * * * * Illustrative of how complicated and expensive hearings can get were proposed findings filed in Denver's Ch. 4 case this week. FCC's Broadcast Bureau submitted 65 pages urging FCC to throw out application of KOA-Bob Hope group on the grounds that NBC can still control the station through complicated deal involving $1,425, 000 owed to NBC under terms of NBC's sale of KOA to new owners. The KOA group, in 271 pages, says no such control exists. But, KOA adds, if FCC thinks there is such control, station should be given opportunity to eliminate it. Opponent KMYR, in 200 pages, agrees with Broadcast Bureau. Another good example of in-fighting is struggle over Wheeling Ch. 9 between WSTV, Steubenville, and theatre-owner John R. Osborne (Vol.9:16). Answering WSTV's charges that he filed merely to delay TV, Osborne says allegations are "sham and frivolous" as well as "scurillous" and possibly slanderous and libelous. FCC feels it's making progress in hearings under new procedures, nevertheless. This week, it got contestants for Ch. 4 in San Juan, P.R. to agree to submit entire direct cases on paper — first hearing of its kind. Senators still aren't satisfied with speed of hearings, however. In educational TV hearing this week (see p. 7), Senators Magnuson (D-Wash.) and Schoeppel (R-Kan. ) asked Chairman Hyde why Commission can't let the contestants for a channel build station with understanding winner of hearing would reimburse losers for their share of expenditures. This is along lines of Hyde's own thinking (Vol. 9:7), and he promised that Commission would give idea careful study. EVERYONE LIKES HYDE AS FCC CHAIRMAN: With elevation of Rosel Hyde to chairmanship , FCC is assured a "safe & sound" administration free of any built-in anti-business prejudices. And TV industry has satisfaction of seeing Commission headed by a man who, as much as any other person, put across an end-the-f reeze plan that has stood a year's test remarkably well — producing 348 CPs and 59 new stations on the air. Industry considers it refreshing to hear an FCC chairman say, as Hyde did to us this week: "I feel very strongly about the merits of the private enterprise approach to service. I certainly want the FCC to have better relations w ith the industry — having the proper regard for its views and at the same time getting a reciprocal treatment from the industry." President Eisenhower named Hyde chairman April 18, limiting his tenure in