Television digest with electronics reports (Jan-Dec 1953)

3 equipment. The "special trio" of image orthicons in color camera cost $5700. Furthermore, CBS estimated, camera tube operating costs would run 12Zz times those of black-&-white . It said that on annual basis, this would mean increase from $350,000 to $4,200,000 for CBS. In addition, CBS stated, fourfold increase in studio lighting would be required, necessitating air-conditioning. Though CBS called field-sequential standards a "nullity" which should be withdrawn, it said it still believes those standards to be free of the "complexity, costliness, sensitivity and instability which still mark the presently known camera and receiver equipment which now must be used with the NTSC standards." Despite NTSC equipment problems, CBS said, it has completely equipped a New York studio, is training personnel, will shortly begin experimental network transmissions, plans clinics for affiliates and advertisers next month and: "Promptly upon the effective date of the proposed standards, CBS will begin regular commercial network color broadcasts." * * * * RCA-NBC seem to be completely color-oriented nowadays. Gen. Sarnoff stated that this week's NBC executive realignment (see p. 5) is dictated by color considerations. Detailed for months to head up NBC color activities, vice chairman Pat Weaver is again in charge of all TV network programming. NBC this week released schedule of "color premieres" — dress rehearsals of its regular commercial programs, in color, until FCC approves standards and permits commercial colorcasts: Robert Montgomery Presents, Sept. 28; Dinah Shore, Oct. 6; Paul Winchell, Oct. 11; TV Playhouse, Oct. 18; Show of Shows, Oct. 24; Hit Parade, Nov. 7; Bob Hope, Nov. 17. Those normally originating in Hollywood will be brought to New York to be staged at Colonial Theatre. All phases of programming are caught up in color preparations. For example: O.B. Hanson, NBC engineering v.p., cautions film producers to go slow on shooting color film until they know requirements for color TV more precisely; Max Factor's makeup specialists are conferring with NBC color experts on proper cosmetics. 5 ON AIR THIS WEEK BRING TOTAL TO 252: One new market was opened up and additional stations went into 4 already-served vhf & uhf areas as result of latest accretions to fast-expanding list of telecasters on the air commercially and/or with test patterns. Strategically located Henderson, Ky. -Evansville , Ind. area got first station — a uhf — and first uhf went into Louisville to compete with 2 pre-freeze vhf. The uhf-only Wilkes-Barre area got second uhf this week, while more vhf competition went into San Diego and Kansas City. Of total of 252 stations now on air (for full list see Special Report herewith), 175 are vhf, 77 uhf. These were the week's starters: WEHT, Henderson, Ky. (Ch. 50), just across Ohio River from Evansville, Ind., opening brand new TV area, began testing late in afternoon of Sept. 11, aiming for commercial target Sept. 27 and CBS affiliation. It's headed by broadcaster Hecht S. Lackey, backed by Malco Theatres Inc. & Citizens Theatre Co. Donald T. Maloney, exWJIM-TV, is asst. gen. mgr. Equipment is RCA. Base rate is $150. Rep is Meeker. KFSD-TV, San Diego (Ch. 10) began testing Sept. 9, planned some network programs starting Sept. 13. It's NBC-TV "must" buy at $700 rate, with $500 local rate. Using RCA transmitter and 6-bay antenna on Mt. Soledad, station will operate noonmidnight at start, gives city second local outlet — though nearby Tijuana's XETV (Ch. 6) also offers coverage. Station is result of get-together of rival applicants for Ch. 10 with veteran broadcaster Tom Sharp, who pooled his radio KFSD with TV, built station and optioned one-third interest to TBC (group of 34 local citizens who exercised option Sept. 2 to buy for $456,402) and one-third to Charles Salik (operating local KCBQ, which he now will sell). Sharp is pres., with Louis N. Papernow of TBC as gen. executive, John Merino as mgr., Jack Tolen as program director, Chas. Baldour as production supervisor — latter 2 from WDTV, Pittsburgh. Rep is Katz. KCMO-TV, Kansas City (Ch. 5) began testing Sept. 8, fifth TV and fourth vhf in that longtime one-station city (others being pre-freeze WDAF-TV, time-sharing WHB-TV & KMBC-TV and uhf KCTY) and it will become basic ABC outlet. Formal debut