Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1962)

NEW SERIES VOL. 2, No. 31 WEEKLY JULY 30, 1962 Television Di © 1962 TELEVISION DIGEST Albert Warren, Editor & Publisher, 911 -13th St., N.W., Washington 5, D.C., Sterling 3-1755 David Lachenbruch, Managing Editor, 625 Madison Ave., New York 22, N.Y., Plaza 2-0195 Harold Rusten, Associate Editor, 111 Beverly Rd., Overbrook Hills, Philadelphia 51, Pa., Midway 2-6411 Michael H. Blake Jr., Assistant Editor. Washington. Charles Sinclair, Contributing Editor, New York The authoritative service for executives in all branches of the television arts & industries SUMMARY-INDEX OF WEEK'S NEWS Broadcast CROSS, COX, COLLINS, MEYERS— STILL SPECULATION. Guessing persists that Cox will replace Cross who'll move to another govt, job from FCC. Collins NAB renewal expected. Meyers likely to head international TV project if Administration accepts his ideas (p. 1). THEATER-SIZE COLOR TV now practical, as TNT demonstrates excellent compatible pictures with Philips projector. Compatible Eidophor color next (p. 2). UHF PUMP-PRIMING BY EDUCATORS pointed up by latest ETV channel reservations — 12 in Fla., 6 in Ga., 9 in Ky. (p. 2). TV-TYPE ALLOCATION FOR FM provides 3 zones, 3 classes of stations, more power, protected service ranges, minimum spacings, city-by-city channel assignments, list of priorities (p. 2). FINAL LICENSE DENIAL IN 'SMUT' HEARING ordered by FCC. Duluth TV CP on skids for "misrepresentation." Revocation and fines ordered in other radio cases (p. 3). TELSTAR'S 'GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH' July 23 was rousing transatlantic-TV success cheered by estimated 200 million viewers in 18 countries; less successful is Administration's communications satellite bill which ran into Senate filibuster (p. 4). Consumer Electronics RECTANGULAR COLOR TUBES seen appearing in sets in 1964 on basis of Corning Glass timetable. RCA, Zenith & Sylvania indicate they'll stick to plans for 90-degree round tubes first. Motorola expects to be first with rectangular-tube sets (p. 7). UHF PUSHBUTTON TUNER to be available in year from General Instrument, which is already producing nuvistor tuner claimed to provide 4 times greater tube life, less drift (p. 8). GE CHOOSES IRELAND over Japan for production of "competitive" parts for U.S. transistor radios. Will it start new trend? (p. 8). JAPANESE TO PAY ROYALTIES on transistor radio circuits, as long negotiations are concluded with Regency, U.S‘. transistor radio pioneer (p. 9). CROSS, COX, COLLINS, MEYERS — STILL SPECULATION: White House's strange silence on FCC appointment may someday be explained — but it isn't winning friends for Administration now. President's intentions, if he has any yet, are known to mighty few people — and they aren't talking. Belief of those whose information & judgment have been good in such matters is generally this: Comr. John Cross, whose term expired June 30 and who remains on job until his successor is sworn in, is earmarked for good job in govt. — and Broadcast Bureau Chief Kenneth Cox will replace him. Next June, Comr. T.A.M. Craven steps out. With Cross & Craven gone, there would be no commissioner with engineering background. Traditional practice is to have at least one engineer, and it's assumed one would be named. Talk of Craven as member of proposed satellite communications board has faded. If Cross is to remain in govt., there's speculation that he might be given job in international telecommunications matters. That's what he did at State Dept, before joining FCC. Speaking of State Dept., FCC Chmn. Minow's admin, asst. Tedson J. Meyers has submitted to President a program for using TV (and radio) to further our foreign policy objectives. Details aren't available, but it's believed State Dept, is considered logical focus of such activity. If Administration buys Meyers recommendations, it's assumed he'd go to State to run project. State Dept, spokesman expects favorable action in 10 days. NAB Pres. LeRoy Collins' 3-year contract runs until Jan. 1964, provides for review by end of this year. It's understood that Collins and review committee, headed by NAB Chmn. Clair McCollough, give every evidence of getting together on contract renewal.