Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1960)

VOL 16: No. 41 OCT i The authoritative service for executives engaged in all branches of the television arts & industries SUMMARY-INDEX OF WEEK'S NEWS WITH THIS ISSUE: January-September 1960 Index to Television Digest FCC ALLOCATIONS— "HAVES" vs. "HAVE NOTS." 3,000 pages from 150 parties argue issue of vhf drop-ins (p. 1). MIAMI "FIX" RETRIAL STARTS with ex-FCC Comr. Richard A. Mack in hospital and Ch. 10 conspiracy co-defendant Thurman A. Whiteside in court alone (p. 5). FCC VIEWS ON "CENSORSHIP" elaborated in short-license decision. Wouldn't "jeopardize" freedom of speech guarantees (p. 6). Stations ROAD CLEAR FOR COLLINS as NAB pres., with Board expected to approve him and $75,000 salary. No dissents in sight, though some say they should have been informed earlier (p. 2). Advertising ANA-4A WATCHDOG COMMITTEE is formed. Representation from both ad groups will deal with offensive ads through self-regulation. It's first such joint effort by these associations (p. 2). NAB WIDENS UQUOR BAN on TV, review board stretching Code to cover non-alcoholic cocktail mixes. WNTA-TV N. Y. picks up challenged Holland House spots (p. 7). Technology FM STEREO REPORT due for completion this week by NSRC fieldtest panel. No recommendations to be made but all systems will be directly compared in comprehensive document (p. 3). Film S Tape HOLLYWOOD: "WHO? ME?" Makers of TV film are not impressed by their product this season — place responsibility elsewhere (p. 3). Consumer Electronics RETAIL TV SALES down 13% from 1959 in August — first month this year to show decrease. Eight-month retail sales still far ahead of last year (pp. 14 & 16). FLAT-SCREEN TV brought closer by new Sylvania developments in larger & brighter electro-luminescent panels, but engineers see 10 more years needed (p. 14). GE's COMPACTRON TUBES adopted by 13 consumer-electronics equipment manufacturers; CBS Electronics & Tung-Sol also will produce them (p. 15). JAPANESE TV SET draws "good" response in N.Y. sales debut. Delraonico plans complete 23-in. line next year (p. 1 5). TV RENTAL BUSINESS GOOD, NARDA finds in survey indicating more than half of TV dealers also rent sets, make money (p. 16). COMPONENT SALES continued at record high in first-quarter 1960, Commerce Dept, reports on basis of industry survey (p. 16). ELECTRONICS 'BUG' BBB: Consumer electronic products accounted for 1 of 10 complaints, BBB Pres. K. B. Willson tells EIA (p. 17). Programming GREAT DEBATE ROLLS ON, Political parties concern with "image" created by their candidates again points up enormous impact of the medium (p. 4). Fiiiaiice SKIATRON STOCK SALES BARRED to Pres. Arthur Levey & pay-TV licensee Matty Fox by SEC ruling banning public deals (p. 18). Other Departments NETWORKS (p. 12). CONGRESS (p. 13). PERSONALS (p. 13). ALLOCATIONS — 'HAVES' VS. 'HAVE-NOTS': We've leafed through many of the 3,000 or more pages filed by some 150 parties in FCC's "interim" allocation plan proceeding and found they're much the same as major filings we summarized earlier (Vol. 16:40 p2). Well-situated vhfs want things left alone — building their arguments on prospective loss of fringe service to public. Uhfs or prospective vhf applicants heartily endorse vhf drop-ins via mileage cuts — citing need for more competition in larger cities & local service in smaller communities. But the "haves," recognizing they may have to give some ground, strive vigorously to contain the "invaders," They argue for "specificity" and a single-package proceeding which would allow just so many drop-ins — and then slam door shut. Some also make it clear they'll try every legal device in the books to delay implementation of drop-ins. Even ETV vhf "haves" oppose service-area cuts; however, they say, if there are going to be drop-ins, they want them. Those urging drop-ins frequently included elaborate documentation to show need in their cities for more stations. They insist that added competition & full availability of 3rd network service outweigh any possible loss to fringe service of existing vhfs.