Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1953)

10 SUBSCRIPTION TV as possible solution to economic ills of non-network stations — principally uhf — was explored by 19 telecasters, grantees and applicants at allday session in Philadelphia Sept. 17, under enthusiastic leadership of the 4 original uhf petitioners for fee TV (Vol. 9:32,35-37). But the inquiring broadcasters made no commitments as a group. Most had come to hear what subscription TV had to offer — and many left meeting still undecided. Meeting launched coordinated campaign for FCC approval of fee-TV petition. Pres. Richard Davis of grantee WELI-TV, New Haven, Conn. (Ch. 59) outlined plans to set up Broadcasters Committee for Subscription TV by Oct. 1 “to unify TV broadcasters and grantees in support [of] immediate authorization of a limited service of subscription TV.” [For one FCC commissioner’s views on subject, see below.] Coordinating group would set up central headquarters under an “operating executive,” expected to be Will Baltin, who was exec. secy, of old Television Broadcasters Assn., now is consultant of grantee WDHN, New Brunswick, N. J. (Ch. 47). It would retain counsel to prepare arguments before FCC — presumably Stratford Smith, of Welch, Mott & Morgan, who prepared original petition and attended Philadelphia meeting. Headquarters organization would be supervised by steering committee of broadcasters and would carry on “concerted public relations effort” aimed at broadcasters and public. Meeting was addressed by representatives of 3 developers of subscription-TV systems. Paul McNamara, v.p. of International Telemeter (50% owned by Paramount Pictures) suggested cooperation between local theatre owners and TV stations to present locally-shown feature pictures via fee TV. Skiatron counsel James M. Landis told group that “all the advertising budgets in COLOR, subscription TV and FM are among topics to be discussed at NARTB district meeting at Sun Valley, Ida. Sept. 21 by FCC Comr. Edward Webster, who has generally concentrated on non-broadcast services. Essence of his prepared speech: (1) Color. Compatible system proposed has “excellent possibilities” of satisfying Commission but he isn’t going to be rushed into its approval. “I cannot permit myself to be forced into a premature conclusion,” he says, “by those whose special interests would place them in a position of benefiting by an early decision.” (2) Subscription TV. “It would involve such a fundamental change in the American system of broadcasting that it may well be that the Commission, when it becomes necessary to consider the matter, will conclude that the change should be made only after Congress has established the new policy . . What if fee-TV is approved and turns out to be the most profitable method of operating a station? he asks. If it does, he says, telecasters will aim to put pay-as-you-look on at best viewing hour while viewers will clamor for more free service and “reasonable and non-discriminatory fees for the subscription programs.” This seems to point to common carrier type of regulation, he says. Whole problem requires a hearing, he concludes. (3) FM. Commission may have erred, he says, in authorizing so many AMs which “resulted in an increased coverage with which [FM] could not compete.” FCC may have been wrong, too, in permitting AM-FM program duplication, he adds. He thinks FM might be given a break by operating at lower powers and with fewer hours than now permitted, says he’d plump for change in rules. He also believes functional music and multiplexed operations may help but that legal questions require a hearing. Then, he warns: “Any radio service which is not making America, both national and local, [would] be insufficient to support 500 uhf & vhf TV stations.” Zenith Phonevision’s Millard C. Faught, formerly an arch critic of TV advertising, viewed subscription TV as “compatible” and “complementary” to sponsored TV. Group also heard hearty endorsements of fee TV by Yale athletic director Robert A. Hall, ex-NCAA TV committee chief, and in statements prepared by boxing commissioner Abe J. Greene and Madison Sq. Garden exec, v.p. Ned Irish. Statement by RETMA pres. Glen McDaniel, read at meeting, took no stand on issue but expressed view that if FCC approves fee TV “the manufacturers will be ready [with] the requisite equipment.” Only vhf telecaster attending meeting was General Teleradio v.p. Dwight Martin (WOR-TV, New York; WNAC-TV, Boston; KHJ-TV, Los Angeles), whose New York outlet has worked with Skiatron on fee-TV tests. Three uhf stations already on air were represented at meeting: WFPG-TV, Atlantic City (Ch. 46) ; WEEU-TV, Reading, Pa. (Ch. 33) ; WBES-TV, Buffalo (Ch. 59). The 4 uhf grantees who called meeting are WDHNTV, New Brunswick, N. J. (Ch. 47) ; WELI-TV, New Haven (Ch. 59) ; WIP-TV, Philadelphia (Ch. 29) ; WSTF, Stamford, Conn. (Ch. 27). Also represented at meeting was fifth petitioner for fee TV, grantee WACH, Newport News, Va. (Ch. 33). A sixth petitioner — WOCN, Atlantic City (Ch. 52) — was not represented. Other uhf CP-holders represented were WIFE-TV, Dayton, 0. (Ch. 22) ; WLBR-TV, Lebanon, Pa. (Ch. 15) ; WTEV, New Bedford, Mass. (Ch. 28) ; WNLC-TV, New London, Conn. (Ch. 26); WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md. (Ch. 16). These uhf applicants were represented: WIBG, Philadelphia; WILM, Wilmington, Del.; WKDN, Camden, N. J.; WTTM, Trenton, N. J. Also represented was radio KWBC, Ft. Worth, a onetime TV applicant. efficient use of its available frequencies is, in my opinion, in a somewhat untenable position with respect to justifying its right to retain all the frequencies allocated to it. . . . I fear that [FM] may find itself in such a position in the face of the constant demand for additional frequencies by the non-broadcast services . . .” Maiden speech of FCC Comr. John Doerfer, before National Institute of Municipal Law Officers in Washington Sept. 15, stressed “the practicality of solving local problems on a local basis.” He used two examples: (1) Interference problems. Doerfer suggested that FCC detect the interference, encourage local agencies to eliminate it. (2) Educational TV. Doerfer reiterated his belief that States themselves, rather than “sectarian schools and minor or branch” institutions should have first crack at channels. Regarding length of resei-vations, he said that “present policy of the FCC is to continue the reservations for a reasonable time. Personally, I am in accord with such a policy.” TV clinics at NARTB’s district meetings will be conducted by these station managers: Harold E. Anderson, KOLN-TV, Lincoln, Neb. — at Ardmore, Okla., Oct. 12-13; Dallas, Oct. 14-15; Biloxi, Miss., Oct. 16-17. James D. Russell, KKTV, Colorado Springs — at Atlanta, Oct. 19-20; Asheville, N.C., Oct. 21-22; Philadelphia, Oct. 23-24. Gaines Kelley, WFMY-TV, Greensboro, N.C. — at Albany, Oct. 26-27; Boston, Nov. 4-5. Vernon A. Nolte, WHIZ-TV, Zanesville, O. — at Sun Valley, Ida., Sept. 20-22; Cedar Rapids, la., Sept. 23-24; Minneapolis, Sept. 25-26. James H. Moore, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, Va. — at Milwaukee, Sept. 28-29; Indianapolis, Sept. 30-Oct. 1; Cincinnati, Oct. 1-3. W.D. Rogers Jr., KDUB-TV, Lubbock, Tex., has conducted clinics in Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.