Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

NEW SERIES VOL. 3, No. 28 TELEVISION DIGEST— 11 Motorola Radio & Stereo: Motorola introduced to dealers last week its longest phono line in years, and a lengthened radio line — both featuring some unusual items. Stereo pitch this year will be “Wide Spectrum Sound System,” using Motorola’s 3-amplifier principle. Center bass speaker in more expensive consoles is concealed by acoustical wood baffle, designed to provide damping eifect for truer bass reproduction, and permitting use of more pliant speaker cone. Motorola also continues to feature reverb (“Vibrasonic”) and has new phono pickup arm with IV2 grams pressure. Popular coffee table stereo line is expanded this year and now starts at $99.95. New to line is upholstered window-bench stereo at $429.95. In portable line, there are 2 all-transistor units, at $179.95 (swing-down) and $229.95 (with fold-away mobile cart). Consoles are priced from $149.95 to $995, include variety of cabinets by Drexel & Heritage at upper end. Radio line features 2 new concepts — “Tandem” transistor AM clock radio, whose radio can be detached and used as portable on own self-contained batteries ($39.95) ; AM-FM multiplex radio which folds into “occasional chest” when not in use ($225). Clock radios are $19.95$39.95, with transistor clock radios at $44.95 & $49.95, AM-FM-clock at $69.95 & $79.95. Table radios start at $14.95, topped by open-list long-distance AM radio. New AM-FM portable is $59.95; AM-FM table radios (4 models) are $49.95-$79.95. Program for 3rd all-channel clinic sponsored by Committee for Full Development of All-Channel Bcstg. was announced last week. Scheduled at 8:30-10:30 a.m. July 22 during NAMM Music Show at Chicago’s Palmer House, keynote address will be presented by FCC Comr. Robert E. Lee. Panel discussion will be moderated by W. T. Hamilton of WNDU-TV South Bend. Panelists: Robert G. Weston, Lee’s engineer; Jack Beever, Jerrold Electronics; John J. Frick, Frick Electronics & TV Inc.; Garth Heisig, Motorola; Harold Isenring, Sears, Roebuck. In afternoon meeting following clinic, CAB’s Consumer Information Committee, temporarily headed by EIA Exec. Vp James D. Secrest, will meet to consider whether to schedule additional clinics and whether to conduct a consumer information program. First OE.M version of 3M-Revere tape-cartridge changer will be introduced by Ravenswood next week at Music Show in Chicago, as optional feature in its console line. At same time, 3M will introduce 3 new models, designed to be sold through same franchised outlets as its original $450 tape-cartridge unit. Two are tape decks — one a recorder-player, the other a playback-only unit — designed to be used with buyer’s existing stereo amplifier. Third new model is self-contained portable tape-cartridge player — similar to original model, except that it lacks recording feature. Prices haven’t been disclosed. Coofl-business reports: Zenith first-half sales set new record, according to ads placed in trade papers, with b&w sales at all-time first-half high “with greatest share of industry ever;” color sales doubled those of first-half 1962, putting “Zenith in very dominant 2nd place — and still gaining;” radio sales were higher than year-ago and stereo sales set new record . . . Packard Bell reports sales to dealers at its 1964-line showing in June “exceeded the all-time high sales of last year’s showing by 113%.” Distributor Notes: Motorola Consumer Products Div. names Robert E. Hanrahan, pres, of R. E. Hanrahan Inc., Gary, Ind., “Distributor of the Year” for top performance in 1962 among 92 distributors • Motorola names Billings, Mont.-based Taylor Distributing Co. distributor for eastern Washington, northern Idaho & Montana, succeeding Sunset Electric. Taylor, which is discontinuing Sylvania TV & electronics lines, will service new territory from its Spokane, Wash, branch. • Emerson appoints 4 distributors for Telectro tape recorders: Steve Jordan Inc., 1117 N. Sante Fe, Wichita, Kan., for central & western Kansas; W. B. Lloyd Co., 160 S. 4th West, Salt Lake City, for Utah; Mason Distributing, 2000 Baltimore St., Kansas City, Mo., for western Missouri & 15 northeastern Kansas counties; National Mill Supply, 207 E. Columbia St., Fort Wayne, Ind., for 13 northeastern Indiana counties. Color will account for virtually all TV set sales by 1970, RCA Chmn. David Sarnoff predicted in lengthy profile in July 7 N.Y. Herald Tribune. He also believes field of communications has been “barely scratched,” discussed with enthusiasm new personalized frequencies which will enable anyone to see & speak with anyone else anywhere in world via wallet-size or even watch-size TV-radiotelephone device. “This may sound like a fuzzy dream, but it’s the most realizable of all the things we’ve been discussing,” Sarnoff told Tribune business & financial editor Donald I. Rogers. “It doesn’t require any startling invention. The principle already exists.” Device was among various electronic developments forecast by Sarnoff in next 10-20 years. Field of industrial control is next major area of continuing industrial revolution, noted Gulton Industries Chmn.-Pres. Dr. Leslie K. Gulton in July 7 N.Y. Times profile. Electronic & electrical components now account for some 27 % of Gulton’s total sales, test & control instrumentation 25%, power sources & power conversion equipment 23%, cordless consumer products, optical scanners, datahandling equipment & similar products 25%. Gulton operates 9 divisions, employs more than 2,000, boosted earnings 36% to $1.4 million on 23% sales rise to $30 million in 1963 fiscal year ended Feb. 28. “The most important catalyst in any type of work is enthusiasm,” he said. Retailers foresee average 10% profit rise on 5% sales gain in 1963’s 2nd half compared with year earlier, concluded National Retail Merchants Assn, after survey of 195 retail executives representing more than 2,000 department, specialty & variety stores. Findings: 68% anticipate profit increases, 4 out of 5 see sales rise; 57% expect prices to remain stable; 42% anticipate higher fall prices; only 27% anticipate rise in inventories; 44% plan to increase private labels, 38% will use more national brands. Talk about warranty problems — a Communist Party commission investigating Russia’s TV manufacturing industry reported that 30-50% of 5 makes of Soviet TV sets failed during first hours of use. Some 65% of all sets sold were returned for repairs within first 6 months of use. Reporting in Pravda, commission said more than 60,000 complaints were received last year about unreliable TV sets. Plant vacation shutdowns (cont.) : Philco Consumer Products Div. manufacturing plants, July 15Aug. 5 (Philadelphia & Watsontown, Pa. facilities), July 15-Aug. 12 ( Connersville, Ind.).