Variety radio directory (1939)

FEDERAL RADIO REGULATION— Continued of television broadcast stations., and the resulting pressure for a liberalization of the Commission's regulations on the subject, have led to important developments not yet reflected in regulations, resulting in a report submitted to the Commission on May 22. 1939, by a committee of its members, consisting of Commissioners Craven, chairman. Brown and Case. This document, constituting Part I of a complete report on the subject, was adopted by the Commission June 27th. The remaining portion of the report. Part II. is to be completed at an early date but probably will not be acted on by the Commission until September. For over a decade television licenses have restricted their holders to purely experimental operation. In addition to the prohibition against commercial features, the regulations have required each licensee to contribute to the technical advancement of the art by conducting regular laboratory experiments and by submitting periodical reports. The sort of experimentation which would consist in carrying on operations to gauge public reaction and to mold program technique would require a change in the regulations. By way of contrast, television was introduced to the public in Great Britain some three years ago by the British Broadcasting Corporation operating in London. From the point of view of geographical location and distribution of population, the London station is operated under extremely favorable conditions, since there are approximately 14,000,000 persons within range of the station. While technically the results seemed satisfactory (the British system being practically the same as the American), the public reaction, as expressed in the purchase of receiving sets, has not been overly encouraging. Recent estimates, referred to in the Committee's report, indicate that not more than 14,000 sets have been sold. As of November 1, 1938, there were 19 authorizations in effect for experimental television transmission in the Lnited States, some of them. however, representing licenses issued to the same licensee to operate on more than one channel. In reality, there were 10 concerns actually in the television field, with two more holding construction permits. The Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and its subsidiary, National Broadcasting Company (NBC), have been operating an experimental station on top of the Empire State Building in New York for some time. Columbia Broadcasting System has recently purchased a transmitter, which, with other equipment, represents an outlay of $650,000, which it expects to place in operation on top of the Chrysler Building in New York. Early in the fall of 1938, RCA announced a plan to open the television held to others through sale of standard 1 kw. transmitters along with experimental receivers. On January 27, 1938, began what was described as "television's first road show" at Washington, D. C, consisting of a seven-day public demonstration by RCA and NBC. On April 30, with the opening of the New York AVorld's Fair, the public was afforded a large-scale demonstration of highdefinition television broadcasting by stations located in New York. The Crosley Corporation, which had filed an application in March, announced that it had leased the 48th floor of the tallest building in Cincinnati for television studios. During April the Don Lee Broadcasting System announced plans to erect a television station on one of the highest peaks overlooking Hollywood. During this period, broadcasters throughout the country manifested increased interest in the subject and a desire to engage in 957