Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1953)

4 believe that the Commission's principles of TV assignment should be departed from merely because of some temporary adverse effect on private interests." Chairman Hyde was absent; Comr. Webster didn't participate in order. Commission decided against changing mileage separation rules, dismissed the petition of WSAL, Logansport, Ind. to permit channel assignments to cities coming y.-ithin 5 mi. of minimum separation from authorized transmitter sites in other cities - provided site of new station complies with the minimum. Though it had proposed to approve the change (Vol. 9:38), FCC now sees no "necessity at this time" to alter TV assignment principles, but says it will explore possible changes "at some later date in the light of additional data and experience." Comr. Bartley dissented. As result of decision, FCC dismissed petition by WTIP, Charleston & WMON, Montgomery, W.Va. asking addition of Ch. 2 to Montgomery. * * * i* In other actions, the FCC this week: (1) Called 4 more grantees on carpet — including subscriptionTV petitioner WDHN, New Brunswick, N.J. (Ch. 47) — telling them they can't be given more time to build, on basis of evidence. Besides WDHN, they were WMRF-TV, Lewistown, Pa. (Ch. 38); WMRI-TV, Marion, Ind. (Ch. 29); KMON-TV, Great Falls, Mont. (Ch. 3). (2) Gave 2 other grantees 6 more months to build — WCBI-TV, Columbus, Miss. (Ch. 28) ; WITH-TV, Baltimore (Ch. 60) — and at same time began proceedings to let WITH-TV switch to Ch. 72 to permit station to use highest site in area without violating FCC spacing requirements. (3) Granted petition by North Shore Bcstg. Co. (Harold R. Murphy) to reinstate its application for Milwaukee's Ch. 31 - formerly granted to WMIL-TV. North Shore dismissed application last August, paving way for WMIL-TV grant, but latter dropped CP 3 weeks ago to apply for newly assigned Ch. 6 (Vol. 9:49). Two more CPs were returned this week: KEPO-TV, El Paso (Ch. 13), telling Commission that city, already served by 2 stations, can't support 3; KTVF, EugeneSpringfield, Ore, citing usual economic reasons — "lack of interest" by networks, vhf competition, sluggishness of set sales, etc. 353 NOW ON AIR, FEWER STARTERS IN 1954: Pace of new-station starts will doubtless slow down next few months, even though a half dozen or so more are due before end of this year and several dozen say they'll get going in January or February. Reasons for slowdown: (1) Winter weather hampering construction in many parts of country; (2) Diminishing competitive urge as one-station markets disappear; (3) Stalling on part of many, particularly uhf grantees proposing to wait-&-see how higher powers and maybe subscription TV come along. If 1954 brings as many as 200 more stations, it will be surprising — this despite 239 CPs still outstanding and FCC's continuingly generous grants. Up to time we went to press Thu, p.m. , 6 more stations were testing — and one is due in Canada. All but one were vhf. Denver gets its 4th vhf, obviating the likelihood anybody will go ahead with uhf there. Montreal gets second outlet. Other towns getting stations were medium-sized, mostly new markets. Total now is 353 on air, of which 232 are vhf, 121 uhf. Latest starters up to Dec. 24: KOA-TV, Denver (Ch. 4) started testing Dec. 22, began programming Xmas Eve, despite storm that recently wrecked its partially constructed tower atop Lookout Mt. (Vol. 9:52). Though temporary tower is being used with 25-kw RCA transmitter, gen. mgr. Don Searle reports it starts with full 100-kw ERP. Station will get huge promotional boost as outlet for NBC-TV color starting Jan. 1. John Henry is sales mgr. ; Judson Wood, program operations mgr. ; Robert H. Owen, chief engineer. Station's owners are actor Bob Hope and large group of local citizens, who combined last year to purchase 50-kw KOA from NBC. Base rate is $500. Rep is Petry. KSLA, Shreveport (Ch. 12), first TV station in that rich community in northwest corner of Louisiana, began testing Dec. 22 — and associate mgr. Deane R. Flett wires, "Excellent reception reported in the immediate area. One set dealer in Marshall, Tex., 45 mi. distant, reported a 260 mv/m signal." Station is licensed to