Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1960)

4 NOVEMBER 28, 1960 FOREIGN TV BOOM: TV set-buying abroad just about doxibled in the 4 months from June 1 to Oct. 1, 1960 compared with the 5 months Jan. thru May. The surge brought the foreign total to 38,650,000. During the same period, the number of overseas TV stations went up 116 — from 1,237 to 1,353. Expansion of more than 4 million sets in overseas TV in June-Oct. period vs. 2.5 million in earlier port of year (Vol. 16:25 p20) was noted by USIA in report prepared for its overseas posts. Of the total sets-in-use, 32,650,000 were estimated in countries outside Communist bloc, 6 million inside Iron Curtain. Non-Commimist countries added 97 new stations since June, Communist countries 19. "Statistical data must be viewed with caution," USIA said, since — as usual — it lacked official figures from some bloc countries and had to rely on "consenus of a variety of unofficial sources." But set & station count took in all countries excluding U.S. & territories and Canada (see p. 6). Other highlights of USIA report: (1) Castro govt.'s takeover of TV in Cuba became "complete." (2) Japanese TV "continued rapid growth." (3) Norway officially opened its TV network. (4) Albania started first experimental TV tests. (5) USSR & United Arab Republic signed 5-year TV-program exchange agreement. (6) USIA's own TV service now has estimated viewing audience of 135,250,000 in 51 coimtries. The FCC PUBLIC-NOTICE & PRE-GRANT RULES; Issuance of FCC’s new procedures implementing certain sections of the Harris-Pastore Act (Vol. 16:47 pi) has drawn a variety of reactions from the industry — but we haven’t talked with anyone who can discern any public value to the public-notice & pre-grant provisions. Some believe that the public-notice procedure — requiring local publication & broadcasting of applications for new stations or major changes — could open wide a swinging door for cranks, sharpshooters and even blackmailers. Others doubt that such results will develop. They point out that there is frequently local publicity about applications, and that the lunatic or greedy fringe tends to get its licks in anyway. Here are typical comments of station operators and their attorneys: “Another nuisance for the applicant. I can’t visualize any public benefit in it. Who reads the legal notices in the paper? I think these will fall into the same category.’’ “It won’t make a bit of difference. The people who are really interested know about applications already by following FCC activity. I don’t think it will produce much increase in crackpot complaints.” “The station operator is placed in the unfair position of having to prove he is not guilty. It’s in the French courts — not the American — that you are guilty until you prove yourself innocent.” “It may produce some frivolous objectors — but the serious people know what’s going on already.” The FCC issued the text of the new rules last week as Public Notice 60-1381. The rules attempt to spell out the kinds of applications which require public notice. For AM, the rules apply to changes in frequency, power, hours of operation or station location. For TV, it’s any change in channel or station location — or any change in power, height or antenna location which would produce a difference of 50% or more in area within the station’s Grade B contour. For FM, it’s any change in frequency, station location or class — or any change in power, height or antenna location which would produce a difference of 50% or more in area within the station’s 1 mv/m contour. In addition, the FCC may tell the applicant that “a major change” is involved even if it doesn’t fall within the foregoing categories. The rules also apply to applications for renewals & transfers. The publication must be made at least twice a week for 2 weeks in a daily newspaper. In addition, if an operating station is seeking a modification, assignment, transfer or renewal, it must also broadcast that fact twice weekly for 2 weeks, between 10 a.m. & 10 p.m. Here’s what the notice must contain, the rules say: “(1) The name of the applicant, if the applicant is an individual; the names of all partners, if the applicant is a partnership; or the names of all officers & directors and of those persons holding 10% or more of the capital stock or other ownership interest if the applicant is a corporation or an unincorporated association (in the case of applications for assignment or transfer of control, information should be included for all parties to the application). “(2) The purpose for which the application was filed (i. e., construction permit, modification, transfer or assignment of control, renewal, etc.). “(3) The date when the application or amendment was filed with the Commission. “(4) The call letters, if any, of the station, and the frequency or channel on which the station is operating or proposes to operate. “(5) In the case of an application for construction perm.it for a new station, the facilities sought, including type & class of station, power, location of studios, transmitter site and antenna height. “(6) In the case of an application for modification of a construction permit or license, the exact nature of the modification sought. “(7) In the case of an amendment to an application, the exact nature of the amendment. “(8) In the case of applications for a permit pursuant to section 325(b) of the Communications Act, the call letters, and location of the foreign radio broadcast station, the frequency or channel on which it operates and a description of the programs to be transmitted . . .” The new rules also spell out how parties may file objections to applications. Up to the day before FCC acts on an application, a “party in interest” may file a petition urging denial. “The petition,” the rules state, “shall contain specific allegations of fact sufficient to show that the petitioner is a party in interest and that a grant of the applications would be prima facie inconsistent with the [Tublic intei’cst, convenience, and necessity. Such allegations of fact shall, except foi tho.se of which official notice may be taken, be supported by affidavit of a person or persons with personal knowledge thereof.”