Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1961)

18 JULY 3, 1961 MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTION, FINANCE N.Y. CAUTIOUS ON FM STEREO: The biggest market of them all probably won't be opened to FM stereo until fall. Of course, there could be a sleeper, but a check of the 7 stations most likely to stereocast reveals a uniformly cautious approach, with more desire to "get it right" than "get it first." Although N.Y. Times' WQXR-FM has already received prototype RCA stereo generator (Vol. 17:26 pi 6), station officials say they plan to go through period of evaluation before starting stereocasts. Among objectives of WQXR-FM's stereo-testing program is close attention to main channel monophonic reproduction. "We want to make sure our monophonic listeners receive the full & complete signal." Also, station is interested in effect of stereocasting on its off-the-air-pickup QXR Network. "We look at stereo as a long-range addition to broadcasting rather than a promotion," a spokesman told us. ABC's o&o WABC-FM N.Y., which programs separately from the network's AM operation, is moving slowly, ABC engineering vp Frank Marx told us. "We've talked with all manufacturers of transmitting equipment, and a number of receiver makers," he said: "It won't be all beer & skittles. We're not jumping overboard, because this thing must be done right or it's no good. The program material has to be good and there must be adequate receivers available." WRVR, non-commercial station owned by Riverside Church, is acquiring stereo equipment, according to gen. mgr. Jack D. Summerfield, but won't be stereocasting before October and possibly not until first of next year. WRVR is one of organizers of upcoming non-commercial Montreal-to-Chapel Hill FM network being coordinated by National ETV & Radio Center, due to start next fall on limited basis. Much of the relaying will be done on multiplex subchannels, so WRVR already has invested in multiplex gear. Another non-commercial outlet, Pacifica Foundation's listener-supported WBAI is also "moving slowly," according to mgr. Gene Bruck. The station, which tested Crosby system on the air 2 years ago, is "talking to the Crosby people" about multiplex equipment, Bruck told us, but wants to "wait & see whether people will really listen." Added Bruck: "Much as we'd like to partake from the very first, it's unrealistic even to talk about it now." Municipally owned WNYC-FM plans to "move ahead as rapidly as we can" — which isn't very rapidly because of the nature of a city-owned operation— Dir. Seymour N. Siegel told us. Purchase of equipment will require municipal appropriation. "We'll be operating on stereo in time for next summer's season of live music." Concert Network's WNCN "will definitely be on the air with stereo in the fall," a spokesman told us. Station also has a multiplex background-music operation, and therefore must make adjustments in SCA subcarrier frequencies before it can start stereocasting. Fordham U.'s educational WFUV, which once participated in tests of Crosby system, is interested in installing stereocasting equipment, but has no target date. Because it operates on an educational frequency (unlike non-commercial WBAI, WNYC-FM & WRVR), it must wait until FCC issues rules for stereocasting by educational stations, expected soon, before it can firm up its plans. N.Y. FM operators share these common worries over stereo multiplexing: (1) Receiver availability & circulation. (2) Effect on coverage area. (3) Effect on off-air network operations or SCA multiplex activities. (4) Effect on monophonic broadcast quality. (5) Quality of available transmitting & receiving equipment. RCA shipped 2 more pre-production stereo multiplex generators, last week, meanwhile to WSPA FM Spartanburg, S.C., and KHGM Houston, Tex. These can't be used until type-accepted by FCC.