Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

, NEW SERIES VOL. 3, No. 30 TELEVISION DIGEST— 9 it if committee recommends such a drive, but "it would be extremely difficult to get anything like that through Congress." Dirring the NAMM clinic, Lee said that uhi CP-holders who procrastinate will be "pressed quite hard in the next few months." He ventured that uhf set saturation in 3-4 years will make station operation "economically feasible." Technical members of panel went over much of same material covered in similar N.Y, & Washington clinics — how to find best signal, master antenna conversion, landlord trouble, etc. TV-RADIO PRODUCTION: EIA statistics for week ended July 19 (29th week of 1963): July 13-19 Preceding wk. 1962 wk. '63 cumulative '62 cumulative Black & white TV 104,071 87,514 94,133 3,742,546 3,531,620 Total radio 261,989 252,805 295,773 9,372,541 10,087,841 Auto radio 84,004 92,950 116,182 4,075,595 3,586,826 MUSIC SHOWPIECES: Far more competitive 1964 is in store, judging from wide variety of new products displayed last week at Music Show in Chicago. In fine-furniture stereo consoles, for example, several new U.S. firms are entering field to compete with already established manufacturers. In addition, at least 4 Canadian firms are seriously bidding for share of this market, and 2 companies have introduced hybrid JapaneseAmerican console lines — Japanese electronics mounted in attractive U.S.-built cabinets. In radio, FM was becoming a star performer. Virtually every manufacturer & importer displayed at least one FM-stereo table radio, the most popular configuration being 2 or 3-piece wood-cabinet bookshelf design. High-powered battery-operated portable FM-stereo units from Japan (with as many as 25-38 transistors) are beginning to show up. And at least 4 importers showed shirtpocket AM-FM radios at prices around $40 & above. In TV, there was increased import activity, both from Japan & Canada, while German attempts to crack U.S. market have been virtually abandoned (except by Saba, which again showed projection set & 23-in. combo, both at $1,400). Tape recorders in all categories are increasing, and beginning to show up as features in many high-end stereo consoles. Magnavox introduced large quantity of new items, including: (1) Its first tape recorders — mono at $139.90, transistorized stereo unit at $298.50. (2) Brand new extensive radio line of 15 sets, all with 90 days labor warranty, from $19.95 AC-DC set to $125 two-piece AM-FMstereo, and including Magnavox’s first FM-AM clock radios. (3) Four stereo component systems featuring AstroSonic solid-state circuitry at $450-$650, with low-end units at $139.90 & $189.90 also transistorized. (4) Three color consoles, 2 with remote, at $695, three b&w combos and new 19-in. portable at $139.90. Zenith brought out 3 new color sets at distributor meeting July 23 — new low-end at $449.95 (see page 7) and 2 consoles at $499.95 — plus 19-in. portable at $179.95 & open-list 23-in. console. New Zenth stereo consoles are $149.95-$249.95. Pilot’s line includes 9 new consoles, bringing its range to $300-$2,000. Vp-Gen. Mgr. Roland J. Kalb announced “intensive campaign for restoration of fair profits” in industry and warned that “high-pressure selling, low-profit merchandising, indiscriminate distribution & over-saturated markets are quickly tightening the noose on the whole industry,” pledging Pilot would maintain its dealer franchise policy. Clairtone of Canada showed long line of furniture stereo consoles, including b&w combo (with TV made by Philips) at $799, and color combos (TV by RCA, U.S.) at $1,195 & $1,299. Clairtone expects more than 50% of its 1963 sales to be made in U.S., projects total 1963 sales at 32,000 sets. Electrohome of Canada showed its long line of TVs & phonos, including 5 color sets beginning at $495 (Vol. 3:29 p9). Fleetwood of Canada plans intensive marketing of b&w TV in U.S., and added to its stereo console line. Featured in Chicago were 23-in. lowboy (unpriced) and combos at $599.50 & $699.95. Phillips of Canada showed 3 stereo consoles (under Norelco label) at $575, $595 & $750. Both Matsushita (Panasonic) & Dehnonico devoted considerable space to their stereo consoles housed in U.S.made cabinets. Panasonic units contain Miracord (German) changers, list from $249.95 to $589.95. Delmonico is manufacturing own furniture. Fisher was back with enlarged console line, starting with drop-down table or wall model stereo unit at $249.95 ($349.95 with FM stereo), including TV combos at $795-$845 (remote control $100 extra). TV chassis reportedly is made by Emerson’s Du Mont div. Another oldline component hi-fi manufacturer, H. H. Scott, made debut in console field with 6 units at $995 & $1,295. American TV Corp., which occupied Majestic’s old space at Music Show (and which is planning merger with Majestic parent Wilcox-Gay, now in bankruptcy proceedings), showed TV & combo line in anticipation of more widespread marketing. Under DeForest brand name, it showed low-end 23-in. console and several 23-in. combos, including one with AM & stereo phono at $198, with high-end combo at $300 which has all of TV circuitry in pull-out drawer for easy substitution or repair.