Variety (May 1947)

50 TELEVISION-RADIO PfiRIETY Wednesday, May 7, 1947 lAB's 2d Dist. Meet Continued from page 41 the agencies." Feeling shared by some of the district leaders was that a locale like- Westchester or Lake Placid would lend itself to a more constructive confab, Opening panel Monday (5) took up FM problems. Trio of FM broad- casters who spoke—Leonard Asch, of WBCA, Schenectady; John V. L. Hogan, of WQXQ, N. Y„ and Ira Hirschmann, of WABF, N, Y.— shared belief that FM is here and going at last, but each sounded Vari- ous warnings. Asch foresaw "the wildest scramble in broadcasting history" in the next three or four years as droves of "neophyte broad- casters," both AM and FM, compete for footholds. "They'll probably be offering dishes to attract time sales," 'Asch asserted. ." :/\-y Hogan thought AM broadcasters using shared channels had better get into FM because he foresaw the ultimate elimination of smaller sta- tions to make their frequencies available for clear channel service. Hirschmann advised broadcasters to prepare for FM's challenge to im- prove programming standards and he called on set manufacturers, who "loaded up on AM and now are in trouble," to grab the chance now to get low-priced FM sets speedily on the market. In a panel on "the music situation, WOR's (N. Y.) prexy Ted Streibert, chairman of the music advisory committee, reported that a recent meeting with ASCAP had discovered only secondary problems to be ironed out in connection with the proposed nine-year renewal of contract with the society at the end of 1949. Ques- tions of program licenses and tele- vision rights will be discussed fur- ther in another meeting between TEXAS NAB GROUP TO DEAW UP ETHICS CODE Houston, May 6. The Texas Regional Assn. of Broadcasters has appointed a com- mittee to draw up a code of ethics and standards for news broadcasts. Action was ta^en following the con- clusion of the regional convention Of the NAB here. Clyde Rembert, manager of KRLD, was elected 13th district director of the NAB, replacing Martin Camp- bell of WFAAt Dallas. ASCAP and the broadcasters May 12-13, he said. "ASCAP is working with us in good faith," Streibert de- clared, "and we hope to report to the NAB convention in September that the situation is' settled and ready for approval." Carl Haverlin, new BMI president, and Sydney Kaye, BMI veepee and general counsel, appealed to the broadcasters to support their or- ganization. Show of hands by station men at- tending a session with Frank Pelle- grin, NAB director of broadcast ad- vertising, indicated' the majority favored standardization of time rates in two categories, "retail" and "gen- eral," and approved a definition of "retail" advertising submitted by an NAB committee. IP, CSS Tele Continued from page 46 ming was also dictated by financial •reasons. CBS officials revealed that at least half of their total tele budget went into studio shows and, with only two of them sponsored, it was considered unwise to bear the heavy costs until such time as video begins to show a profit. Stanton declined to state when studio pro- gramming would resume, except to state the concentration on "actual- ity" shows would be "for the time being." Until the web does resume, jit's believed the station (WCBS-TV) will get its house in order by re- modeling the studio and possibly throwing some of its budget .into new equipment. Station is currently programming only four hours of live shows week- ly and, if the web carries through on its promise to boost remotes and film, it's probable that there will be no reduction in the total number of broadcast hours. Bristol-Myers and Gulf, sponsors of two live shows, along with various watch companies that bankrolled time sig- nals, have all been notified of the new policy. Ford and General Foods, who sponsor CBS telecasts of the Brooklyn Dodgers' home gcfmes, are expected to continue with their com- mercials. Belief that the CBS move might have serious repercussions on po- tential small station operators is based on the action bf many ap- plicants before the color question was settled in March. FCC then ac- cepted almost as many withdrawals from the field of applicants as it received new applications, with most of the withdrawals declaring they preferred to wait for the color de- cision. When that came through with its consequent green light to black and white tele, all looked rosy, but the smalltowners now are ex- pected to question whether they'll be able to show a profit on their operations if a network outlet, with" all the financial resources of the web behind it, is forced to drop live programming because of the heavy costs involved. Among those dropped from the payroll were some of the top pro- duction talent in the new industry, including CBS program director Ben Feiner, Jr., director ■ Paul Belanger and set designer Jim McNaughton. Future plans of them all are still indefinite but all expressed hope they'd be able to continue in tele- vision. &MeGMd by most-. . . by most in the BUYING Ark-La-Tex Write for Availabilities saaaa watts KTLA Starts Regular Semi-Weekly Fite Tele Hollywood, May 6. Los Angeles viewers will get reg- ularly scheduled professional fights and wrestling matches on their tele- vision receivers under deal made here between Paramount's KTLA and Olympic Stadium. Localites fol- low example set by New York oper- ators in latching on to the two sports as tops among come-ons to set buy- ing. Coin exchanged, if any, was not revealed. Deal went into effect tonight (Tues.> with the airing of a State welterweight championship tussle between Carlos Chavez and Harold Dade. It will be furttier implemented tomorrow night (Wed,) with the cov- erage of the first wrestling match, and thereafter both will be regularly scheduled for Tuesday and Wednes- day nights. Par claims it. has a long-term deal, but this is moot since other prospec- tive operators are sure to pressure the Stadium, among them the Los Angeles Times arid other radio sta- tions, both of which can hurt or help the stadium with their double-bar- reled coverage. Nearly all seven of the prospective video ops should be in action by next year. At that time there should be considerable action on the question of exclusives. Hollywood Legion Stadium, con- siderably smaller, also opens itself to bidding this week. Don Lee station, W6XAO, will carry one fight on a special event basis, but thereafter the Stadium is open to all comers. It's possible that the Par station will also be in these pitching with others. Radio Eils Continued from page 33 Tile lewlew Continued from page 46 1 looking at old photo album of fam- ily bathing beauties. Next frame is a fade into an old time nickelodeon. Clever idea was the Use of small studio and as the audience is watch- ing films in the nickelodeon, with actors sliding into seats and com- menting during the break between pictures. Audience comment and chiming in on vocals hypoed illusion. Usual slide announce- ments ■ were funny, but apt to the times, with many chuckling about the "ladies, please, remove your hats" sigh; Could be an excel- lent way to work in commercials. Kit Carson, director, did a fine job of cutting the old pics and integrat- ing the flashbacks. Dorothy Spero in writing the script used fine re- straint in not .hoking the material, letting the viewers make their %wn comments. Screening was clear and prints used were very sharp. Only negative feature to the program was Garroway's reading all the title's. The audience can read and his re- marks tended to break show pattern. Comments should be kept to pic action and intermission. discussed by Hazel Kenyon Markel, educational director, WTOP, Wash- ington, and Luke Roberts, educa- tional director, KOIN, Portland, Ore. Saul Carson, radio editor of the New Republic, was chairman. Formation of Radio Critics' Circle was advocated by Ranson, who also delivere* list . of commandments for radio editors' guidance. Pack gave forth with qualifications for radio editors, and Roberts charged some radio editors with being prima donnas more interested in criticize ing than analyzing. Commissioner Durr, in response to question from chairman, indicated that "we ought to have more radio editors, so they can disagree with each other." . -Franken charged publishers with deliberate attempt to keep down radio columns despite polls which reveal radio columns have high reader interest. He cited John Crosby's column as good influence on radio criticism. Ladd said his responsibility is primarily to readers of his paper, Stephan said his job is to point out to readers what are the listenable programs on airlanes. "I try to be moderate and honest," he said, add- ing, "and I'm not syndicated." He also described how he helped Or- ganize strong listeners' council in Cleveland. Highlight situation on radio pages could be improved, Ferris asserted, pointing out that editors had tend- ency to list same old features, ignor- ing many new, deserving programs. He also thought radio eds should be slapping comics for their off-color British Video Continued from page 46 Representee by The Bfsnham Co ■ •>.) since the stations are being built on very high ground, this is practically impossible. Understood that it is imperative that the relay stations should be visible one from the other. It's be- cause of this that the White Horse Hill relay is a key link since a large television broadcast station is sched- uled to be built at Bristol. Objec- tions from country lovers are being met in advance by taking every pre- caution to disguise eyesores. If White Horse Hill could not be used it would be necessary to build sev- eral more relay stations. The ultimate plan is to have a series of rebroadcasting stations like those proposed for Birmingham and Bristol with intermediary hilltop re- lays. In less than three years Brit- ain hopes to become the only.coun? try in the world with a nationwide visual broadcasting system. Arrangements have been made, when experimental stage is com- pleted, for neat oblong brick and tile buildings to be shrouded in groves of spruce trees to prevent interference with thieT English coun- tryside. So considerate is the gov- ernment of the possible objections of country lovers that the insulators on the aerials are to be colored green. The screens of spruce trees will be planted on three sides with the open side facing the station which is re- ceiving or passing on the broadcast from London. The three experimental stations between London and Bristol are for the present to be housed in Nissen huts with power supplied by baby- car engines. Wauhillau LaHay, radio pub head of N. W. Ayer, speaking from audi- ence and directing her remarks at Stephan, said she regarded out of town eds as important as New York scriveners. She also cuffed around 'certain New York fourth-estaters for "chic, effete" critcism. Labor Slighted Sss Continued from page 36 ^ radio delegate, immediately asked if Mutual was planning to provide weekly time to labor. Kobak an- swered that it was not up to him alone to answer that question. Mark Haas, of WJR, Detroit, as- serted local businessmen refused to go on the air with labor leaders be- cause they immediately were "vili- fied." Carey answered that respon- sible business spokesmen were be- coming inarticulate and leaving it to their lawyers. Johnny Johnstone, of the NAM, contested facts with Carey, asserting he personally had supplied speakers for a Town Hall program. Carey pointed out that the last such pro- gram with an NAM man on the air was last June, in which he partici- pated. mirirsueie IEA hi Participation . . Hollywood, May 6. First known tele cpntest in which winner was selected by home view- ers was given here Thursday (1) 0 n Paramount's KTLA. "Miss Valley Television" was chosen by viewers who submitted selections via phone from among 10 participating duties The winner, 24-year-old Gina Lotita of North Hollywood, coloratura, wM * be contracted for regular appear- ances on the station's once-weekly variety show. The contest was worked in con- junction with a newspaper, the Val- ley Times, which conducted the elim- inations. Only viewers who regularly receive KTLA's weekly mailed pro- gram were eligible to vote to elim- inate family and friend frauds to hypo scores. JWT Script Hunt- 55 Continued from page 46 55- shows, but the agency so far is able to plan only four weeks in advance. Ed Rice, JWT staffer and head writer on the show, is leading the search for new scripts. Teeoff show tonight will be 'Double Door," penned By Elizabeth McFadden and adapted for video by Rice. Show played on Broadway several years ago. Featured in the cast are Eleanor Wilson, last on Broadway in "The Eagle Has Two Heads," and Romola Robb, currently playing the nurse role in the Broad- way production of "Harvey." Live commercials will plug MacLaren's Imperial Cheese. , Kraft has picked up the 7:30-8:30 Wednesday night slot on WNBT so as not to conflict with its "Kraft Music Hall," radio show currently aired over the NBC web. Firm has taken an option on the- Thursday night 9-10 slot, however, and may eventually stage its tele and radio shows opposite each other. San Antonio—A five day, 40-hour week has been adopted by all KABC office employees, according to an announcement made here by Charles W. Balthrope, station manager. Making the best even better! Writers Strike ^Continued from page'35; the networks and the Radio Writers Guild in connection with the free- lance jurisdiction issue are as fol- lows: For the Radio Writers Guild: Peter Lyons, Roy Langham, Har- old Gray, Sidney Fleischer, Elaine Sterne Carrington, Welbourne Kelly, Robert Newman, Julian Funt, Dave Driscoll, Stuart Hawkins, Robert Santinella. For ABC: Robert Kintner, Joseph A. McDon- ald, John C. Turner, Helen Guy. For CBS:" Frank White, I. S. Becker, Howard Housman, Robert J. Landry, Henry Howard. For Mutual: . Phillips Carlin, Leo Lauterstein, H. L. Fishel. For NBC: Frank Mullen, Clarence Menser, John H. MacDonald, Richard Mc- Donough, Edmund Souhami, Ernest de la Ossa. Pittsburgh—WCAE's newest an- nouncers, Charlie Nuzum and Ray Scott, have already landed a com- mercial. It's a five-times weekly 7 p.m. platter show called "Win Place and Show." Phil Cavezza's crew has been taken on as the staff band at new McKeesport station WMCK. Cavezza is also at William Penn Tavern for the summer. Paul Long, at KDKA, being bankrolled by Studebaker for newscasts every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:05. NOW- along with "The Texas Rangers" A sure-fire give-away or self-liquidating offer! At- tractive 48-pages of Original Songs The Texas Rangers Sing and scrap-book album. Provided sponsors of "The Texas Rangers" at cost! Write for full details. The Texas Rangers AN ARTHUR I. CHURCH PRODUCTION PICKWICK HOTEL, KANSAS CITY 6, MO.