Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

2-TELEVISION DIGEST JULY 29, 1963 1 "Size of FCC? Five members minimum, 9 maximum. Maybe a little more efficient with 5. The chairman has just about the right amount of power." "It's very hard to generalize about FCC's programming powers. The 'public interest' standard is . nothing more than a cheer — ^for home-loving, upright, good old American ideals. To some extent, it means that govt, has got to move on a case-to-case basis. I think the 1949 statement on 'fairness' is a pretty sound statement. I don't think FCC should go much beyond that." "Suppose 10 applicants for a station in New York all want to put on Spanish-language programs — none English. I think we have a right to expect someone to put on English." . "I don't agree that asking questions is the same as making accusations or interfering. On income tax, asking questions isn't an accusation. How else can FCC know what's going on? Should FCC & its t staff monitor everything? Should FCC blind itself to what's going on? I believe we shouldn't try to influence * programming. However, we shouldn't be wholly indifferent to what's being broadcast. It's like all legal \ problems. Nothing is completely unlimited — like Justice Holmes' statement about yelling 'fire' in a crowded ^ theater. But we should use restraint." ^ "I believe that the greatest diversity of ownership of stations is best — other things being equoL I | tend to favor those with fewer communications interests than those with more. But you can't come in and say that one can't own more than one station. Which is more concentrated — five 250-watt stations or one * 50,000-watt? I don't know yet. My inclination is to think that the five 250-wotters are better. But I need a | specific situation to judge. I believe in local single ownership — other things being equal." ^ "Regarding CATV & stations, since a station is an originating point I would think that the station I is more socially desirable. But I haven't given it enough thought yet." I "I think the expression 'local live' is an anachronism, an absurdity. I understand when something > is 'local,' but is it 'live' when it's broadcast as it happens? If something 'local' happens when few people can watch it, doesn't it make more sense to record it and broadcast it when there's an audience? I'd like to see that cleared up." There you have the flavor of Lee Loevinger. We think he'll add spice to the proceedings on Pennsylvania Ave. DROP-IN ORAL ARGUMENT SET: That tight issue of whether to add vhf channels to 7 more cities, ’ at short spaces, goes to FCC oral argument Sept. 19, some 3-5 hours devoted to it Action hasn't been announced yet, but it's understood Commission believes argument is best way to wrap whole thing up finally — and to give new Comr. Loevinger fullest opportunity to come to grips with case in which he'll probably ,* have deciding vote. Commission also voted short-spaced move of KOCO-TV (Ch. 5) Enid to Oklahoma City, over vigorous opposition of MST & others. This hasn't been announced yet, either, will be released this week. Whether Comr. Cox will participate further in drop-in case won't be known definitely until FCC returns after Aug. recess. Parties get 13 days to oppose MST's motion that he withdraw (Vol. 3:29 p5). If any of you wonder why there's so much to-do about 7 channel assignments — answer is simple: Each CP is automatically & almost immediately worth millions, each being 3rd vhf in a substantial market. GO-AHEAD FOR PINPOINT ETV: New point-to-point ETV service in 2500-2690 me bond has been finally established by FCC, effective Sept. 9, in time for new school year. Full text of rules should be available soon, but Commission's announcement makes it clear that service will have substantial flexibility, allowing more than straight school-to-school teaching. NAEB Pres. William Harley commented: "I think there will be quite a demand. It's more limited than broadcasting, but it will be a valuable supplement. I believe that MinneopoUs & Boston ore among locations where educators are among the most active in this area." Stations will be 10 watts normally, though more will be granted in special cases. Service is in band now used by "operational fixed stations" — but there are only about 90 of these; no more such will be granted for 3 years. Said Commission regarding new service: