Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1962)

4— TELEVISION DIGEST AUGUST 13, 1362 Expansion of uhf allocation plan to about 3,500 specific assignments to cities is in works at FCC. There are approximately 1,550 now — somewhat more than original allocation at end of freeze in 1952. In devising original plan, Commission flew by seat of its pants, having no idea how much demand would develop. One of its guidelines was existence of radio station in community — assumption being that demand for TV would come first in such cities. Now, with educators asserting they'll need up to 1,200 assignments eventually, and with FCC hoping all-channel-set law will hike uhf demand, plans are being made to have assignments on hand waiting for takers. Approximately 180 of the 1,550 uhf assignments are now reserved for ETV, about 100 of the 675 vhf. "The 'Silent Powers' Behind TV" titles lead article in Aug. 8 Variety, in which TV-radio editor George Rosen points out men who exert great influence at networks but are little known to public: NBC — Senior Exec, vp David Adams, No. 3 man after Chmn. Robert Sarnoff & Pres. Robert Kintner, "upon whose judgment & discernment rest many of the top-level decisions." ABC — AB-PT Finance vp Simon Siegel, "with an undisputed ranking of No. 2 man & heir apparent to" Pres. Goldenson. Says Rosen: "If you ask anybody around ABC who 'runs the shop' and makes the flash plays, the answer is 'Si Siegel, of course.' " CBS — Gen. Counsel Thomas Fisher is a " 'muscle man' of distinction" and "the architect of corporate policy on all matters concerning Washington." Rosen states that CBS has less room for developing background men of influence because of "the dedication and inexhaustible energies of boss man Stanton as CBS' jack of all trades and inspirational spark." Proposal to lift ban on TV cameras in courtrooms was postponed until February by American Bar Assn., at annual meeting in San Francisco. Earlier in week, discussion on Canon 35 at meeting was held up for 25 minutes while TV cameras were ordered cleared from room. NAB General Counsel Douglas Anello explained: "We had hoped to put on a demonstration to show how modern techniques could be adapted to court proceedings without impeding the cause of justice." Colo. Chief Justice Edward C. Day, meanwhile, accused ABA of maintaining Canon 35 ban in face of all evidence, pointed out that in 6-year trial of broadcasting equipment in state courtrooms, no judge or defendant ever had complained. In other actions, ABA presented "gavel awards" for contributing to public understanding of the American system of law & justice to CBS-TV network and radio WRFB Tallahassee. NCTA expressed strong disagreement with Boise Federal Dist. Court Judge Sweigert's ruling that Cablevision Inc. violated contractual rights between KLIX-TV Twin Falls, Ida. and networks & film distributors, by distributing in Twin Falls the Salt Lake City programs duplicating those of KLIX-TV (Vol. 2:32 p3). NCTA Pres. William Dalton called decision "erroneous, and in any event of very limited application." Sweigert decision, he said, would give local broadcaster control over public reception and reception equipment public may use. He said ruling indicates that broadcaster can't interfere with CATV system outside city to which channel is allocated, and only to limited extent within city, and added: "This is a major clarification of the position of the community antenna industry. Nevertheless, every effort will be made to secure a final ruling that public reception of TV broadcasts may not be enjoined by a broadcaster because of the nature of the antenna used or for any other reason." Committee for Competitive TV, uhf-promotion group, has been reactivated. Officers: William L. Putnam, WWLP Springfield, chmn.; Fred Mueller, WEEK-TV Peoria, vice chmn.; John English, WSEE Erie, secy.-treas. Other board members: David Baltimore, WBRE-TV WilkesBarre; Robert W. Mack, WIMA-TV Lima; Lawrence Turet, WXIX Milwaukee; Warren P. Williamson, WKBN-TV Youngstown. Group plans to expand, retain Washington counsel, an exec. dir. & staff. New CATV system under construction — Elizabethton, Tenn. — being built by TV Cable Inc., Johnson City (R. M. Huntsman, mgr.), aims for start of service within 2 months. Largest worldwide TV film distributor is CBS Films, which leads in 4 major overseas markets accounting for over 70% of international sales potential, CBS reports. International sales dir. Ralph Baruch said CBS Films is tops in Canadian, Australian, UK and Japanese markets, also leads in Sweden, Norway, Italy, Hong Kong, Philippines and other countries. Samoan ETV system will be established under $1,869,000 gi'ant to Interior Dept, by Congress. Due on air in Sept. 1963, system will utilize 3 channels, employ 35 engineers & technicians, 28 supervisors, 12 experienced TV teachers. Samoan & U. S. officials said that ETV is preferable to importing large number of U. S. teachers.