Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

10-TELEVISION DIGEST JULY 15, 1963 IMPORTS UP, EXPORTS DOWN: Japanese TV exports to U.S. for first 5 months of 1963 totaled more than 4% of U.S. black-&-white TV production for same period. In first 5 months of 1962, Japanese sets sent to U.S. were equivalent to only about 1% of American factory output. Japanese TV exports to U.S. during the 1963 period were 3 times as great as in first 5 months of 1962. For the 1963 period, total was 121,380 sets, compared with 30,382 one year earlier. Breakdown by type of set for 1963 period (1962 figures in parentheses) : Over 21-in., 5,267 (2) ; tube-type sets smaller than 21-in., 67,221 (23,213) ; transistor TV, 48,892 (7,167). During May 1963, Japanese TV exports to U.S. held at the same 4% of domestic production; in May 1962 they totaled 3% of U.S. output. May 1963’s exports were 19,145 sets, compared with 13,838 one year earlier. Breakdown: Over 21-in., none; tube sets, 9,229 (12,218 in May 1962) ; transistor, 9,916 (1,620). Significantly, May 1963 saw shipments of transistor sets exceeding tube sets for first time. Year’s first 5 months saw sharp decline in Japanese exports to U.S. of tube radios and “toy” transistor radios (fewer than 3 transistors). Perhaps reflecting softness in U.S. radio market. May shipments in all categories were lower than May 1962, although 5-month shipments of transistor radios were up 13%. Here are 5-month figures for Japanese radio exports to U.S. (comparable 1962 figures in parentheses) : With 3 or more transistors, 2,785,632 (2,463,954) ; tube radios, 619,074 (408,629); others (mostly “toys”), 939,894 (1,323,219). For May 1963 (vs. May 1962): Transistor, 575,713 (639,591); tube, 84,316 (150,592); others, 174,755 (210,206). As TV shipments to U.S. increased, American TV exports showed decline of 28% in dollar volume & 27% in units for first 3 months of 1963 as compared with 1962’s first quarter. Preliminary reports from Commerce Dept, place first-quarter U.S.-TV exports at 27,000 units worth $3,283,000, compared with 37,000 at $4,568,000 year earlier. Imports of TV sets exceeded exports during first quarter. Commerce Dept, reporting imports of $4,679,000 in TVs (of which $4,636,000 came from Japan). Other first-quarter imports (comparable 1962 figures in parentheses, where available) , as reported by Commerce Dept. : Transistor radios, 2,194,000 units at $13,542,000 (2,272,000 at $13,950,000) ; radio-phonos, 40,000 at $3,239,000 (43,000 at $3,609,000); recorders, $7,475,000; receiving tubes, 17,371,000 at $6,891,000 (11,991,000 at $4,759,000). Automatic Radio Mfg. is suing Ford Motor for $15 million in triple damages, charging anti-trust violation in latter’s sales policy on car radios. In action filed in Boston Federal Court, Automatic accused Ford & unnamed others of conspiracy to “monopolize interstate trade & commerce in the sale of automobile radios designed for installation in cars made by Ford.” Suit complained that Ford since 1957 compelled certain auto dealers to sell only Ford radios for installation in Ford cars. Automatic also charged that Ford acquired Philco “for the purpose of manufacturing car radios for the Ford car line as part of a plan to monopolize.” Ford said Philco makes no car radios. Trade Personab Charles H. Colledge, division vp & gen. mgr. of RCA Broadcast & Communications Products Div., elected a dir. of RCA Victor Co. Ltd., Montreal. William P. Hilliard appointed pres, of General Precision’s GPL Div., succeeded by J. Frank Price as pres, of subsidiary Pleasantville Instrument. Andrew D. Farrell, former Bendix rep in Washington, appointed head of IIT Research Institute’s new Washington office, 1755 Massachusetts Ave. (phone: 234-6880). Edward J. Carney, onetime RCA Semiconductor Products & Components ad mgr., joins ITT’s Distributor Products Div. as ad & sales promotion mgr. Kenneth W'. Bilby, RCA public affairs exec, vp, has been named chairman of the Manufacturing II Unit of the Publicly Owned Corporations Div. of the Greater N.Y. Fund, directing 1963 fund campaign among approximately 150 firms and their employes in N.Y. area. Donald N. Ivombardi, ex-Bro-Dart Industries, named personnel dir.. Pilot Radio Corp. Robert V. Jordan appointed mkt. planning mgr. for Sylvania’s Electronic Tube & Microwave Device Divs. Ron Sanderson named pres, of Newark Electronics subsidiary Newark Herrlinger Distributing, succeeding Cal Callaghan, resigned; William Little replaces Sanderson as pres, of Newark Industrial Electronic Supply, another subsidiary. Michael D. Roman appointed Bulova Watch national sales mgr. for radio & stereo products, Accutron timepieces, and watches; Mort Smit named consumer electric products sales mgr. Both are new posts. Sylvania Pres. Gene K. Beare returned to his home July 11 to recuperate from injuries suffered in July 2 airliner crash in Rochester in which Controller Roy E. Drew was killed (Vol. 3:27 pl2). His condition was described as excellent, with complete recovery anticipated after several weeks at home. He sustained fractures of left leg & several ribs and injury to shoulder. David K. Elwell, new product planning dir., is still in Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, where he was reported making good progress in view of his extensive injuries. In addition to amputation of his left leg, he suffered multiple fractures of face & jaw, ribs and right ankle. Dr. Lee Davenport, pres, of GT&E Labs, also injured in crash, is now back at work, having been released from hospital July 3. Obituary Frank E. Smolek, Zenith Sales Corp. national service dir., died July 7 at West Suburban Hospital, Oak Park, 111. He joined Zenith in 1928, had been national service dir. since 1932. He is survived by his widow and son. James F. Lillis, 54, ITT vp & controller, died July 7 of heart attack at the Norwood Inn, Avon, N.J., which he recently purchased. He lived in N.Y.C. Prior to joining ITT in 1959, he had been vp & controller of Burroughs Corp., Detroit, for 10 years. He is survived by his widow & daughter.