Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1953)

11 very least. One tube maker's guess is that industry ought to be producing at rate of 15,000 by next Feb. -March; that 100-150,000 may be turned out next year; that color tubes could comprise 25% of total tube production in 1955. As for set production rate and prices, there were 2 more evaluations this week: (1) Sylvania engineering v.p. E. Finley Carter, reporting that company will have receiver at FCC demonstration Oct. 15, says that Sylvania several months ago predicted first 14-in. sets would sell for $1000 and "no developments have occurred since that time which would cause us to alter that estimate." (2) Capehart v.p. Antony Wright stated that Capehart will begin production about first of year but that pilot production probably will be limited to a couple hundred sets. RECEIVING TUBE PRICES IN UPWARD TREND: Another item in TV-radio costs goes up — several manufacturers disclosing moderate increases in receiving tube prices this week, others saying they intend to do so shortly. These raised prices: Sylvania, GE, Raytheon, CBS-Hytron, National Union Radio. RCA hinted rise and Westinghouse plans to increase receiving tube prices 5-7% by mid-Oct. Increases weren't large, amounting to 5^ to 500 apiece, consequently aren't likely to force further boosts in TV set prices. Sylvania spokesman said increases wouldn't add as much as a dollar to cost of producing receiver, was sure all set makers could absorb it because some other components have been reduced. Higher costs were cited as reason for receiving tube increases, first of their kind in 2 years. In addition to usual boosts in labor and material, recent freight rate increase played large part in decision to hike prices since tubes are generally shipped f.o.b. destination. It's a different story with picture tubes. Manufacturers agreed almost unanimously that picture tube prices won't rise in foreseeable future. In fact, one pointed out, picture tubes were priced downward recently, notably in larger sizes (24 & 27-in.) which aren't moving as well as expected. Further proof that set sales generally have been holding up well came from RETMA report this week showing 5,116,506 TVs sold at retail in first 7 months, compared to 2,555,955 in same period last year. This despite seasonal slump in July, when 540,406 sets were sold, decrease from 451,089 TVs sold in June. Radio sales at retail totaled 5,585,862 — exclusive of auto radios — in 7-month period. This was below 5,496,552 sold in same 1952 period, though output this year is higher — RETMA spokesman attributing difference to current bloated radio inventories, which are near 2-year peak. For July alone, retail sales were 566,666, compared to 449,116 in June. *i * * * TV output moved upward again after 2 weeks of declining production, totaling 158,726 (4609 private label) week ended Sept. 18, up from 141,522 preceding week but down from 160,070 week before. It was year's 57th week, compared with 156,791 corresponding 1952 week, and brought year's production to date to about 5,500,000. (Total 1952 production was 6,096,279.) Radio production also went up, totaling 259,681 (101,595 private), up from 225,978 week ended Sept. 11 and 255,864 week of Sept. 4. It compared with 191,215 same week of 1952, and brought year's output to approximately 9,500,000. Week's radios: 115,815 home sets, 52,572 portable, 55,046 clock, 76,448 auto. Plan for consumer information booklet on color, to be published soon by National Assn, of Better Business Bureaus, was approved this week by RETMA, which recommended that each manufacturer furnish BBB all necessary information. RETMA previously rejected request from National Appliance & Radio-TV Dealers Assn, for joint consumer education project on color. New color test instrument offered by Telechrome Inc. is Model 1601-AR “Chromoscope,” designed to measure performance, alignment and phase errors of color equipment, presenting information on CR tube. Transvision Inc., 460 North Ave., New Rochelle, N. Y., lately specializing in coin-operated TVs and once one of largest manufacturers of TV kits, filed Chapter XI petition under Bankruptcy Act in N. Y. Federal Court this week. No schedules were filed but assets were stated at $946,750, liabilities at $700,000. Full settlement of claims, payable in monthly installments at 2%, is proposed. It now has $357,000 worth of electronics contracts on order to Air Force. Another TV manufacturer, Video Products Corp., filed Chapter XI petition only last week (Vol. 9:38).