U. S. Radio (Oct 1957-Dec 1958)

Washington NAB-RAB Coordinate Radio Promotion Efforts NAB Approves Editorial Study Along With Other Actions A joint committee ol the National Association of Broadcasters and Radio Advertising Bureau — designed to coordinate radio promotional efforts of both organizations — has been inaugurated by the board of directors of the NAB in Washington. Although the specific objectives of the new and closer working agreement arc still in the planning stages, there is a possibility of the re-inclusion of RAB's sales clinics at the NAB fall regional meetings. The clinics, dropped from the NAB regional agenda some years ago, have in recent veais been conducted independently by RAB. ,..*^^ The NAB board also approved an editorializing study — the results of which will serve as a guidepost for broadcasters in airing views on controversial issues. The method of the study and the members of an ad hoc committee which will direct the project are now under consideration. Other actions include: (1) approval of a three-day convention fonnat, thus cutting the annual conclave short by one day, (2) limiting transcription and program service firms to "hospitality suite" status without exhibition privileges as has been the case in the past, (3) endorsement of National Radio Month in May 1959 along lines similar to the first National Radio Month held this year and (4) adoption of a resolution to explore ways of increasing the number of hotel and motel radios. Senate Ponders Bill Limiting Sports Broadcasts A bill which ^vould give commercial sports interests the power to silence radio coverage of a major sports event within a 75-mile radius of the city where the game is being played is being considered by the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee. The plan has already been seriously questioned by Victor Hanson of the Justice Department's Antitrust Division. NAB and the Federal Trade Commission have also gone on record in opposition to the measure charging that it is tantamount to denying the public its right to hear a large number of sports contests. . . . and House Rules Sportscasts Not Subject to Antitrust Meanwhile, the House has voted to exempt broadcast sports coverage from antitrust laws. In so doing, congressmen killed an amendment offered by Representative Sidney Yates (D-Ill.) to make sportscasts subject to antitrust rules "to protect the interests of baseball fans." Sen. Bricker Proposes South American Broadcast Link A resolution recommending $50,000 for a study of the possibilities of launching a communications network which would join the U. S. with its neighbors south of the border has been introduced by Senator John Bricker (R-O.) . The purpose of the proposed electronic link would be an exchange of programs with Mexico and South American countries. A government agency would supervise the exchange. Senator Bricker said. He was supported by six other senators in introducing the resolution. New Radio Croup Formed To Oppose Power Hike Plan The Radio Allocations Study Organization — a group of Class IB stations and regional outlets — has been formed to opjjose the FCC's clear-channel proposal of last April which could result in the grant of power in excess of 50 kw, the present maximum. At an organizational meeting in Washington in mid-June, representatives of 25 stations stated that "the concept of super power will have a serious adverse effect upon the radio broadcasting industry as it now exists. . . ." Temporai7 chairman of R^\SO is v. S. RADIO August 1958