Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

NEW SERIES VOL. 3, No. 41 TELEVISION DIGEST-5 "Who should control commercials?" That question was debated last week at N.Y. International Film Festival, drawing these opinions: Actress Monique Van Vooren— impartial board of judges, with no TV connections, should be appointed by broadcast industry to screen all commercials, with special controls imposed on drug advertising. Adman Fred Papert— suggested possibility of appointing TV advertising "czar," attacked "lies & half-truths" in some advertising, singling out cigaret advertising as "great, howling, semi-crooked bore. " TvB Pres. Norman (Pete) Cash— "The best policing of TV commercials is in the pocketbooks of the public." NAB Code Authority Mgr. Stockton Helffrich— supported NAB Code, opposed govt, influence, saying govt, could best serve industry by "active support of the self-regulatory effort." "Dialogue" & "debate" with FCC members, instead of "negativism," is suggested for broadcasters by John L. McClay, T^t Bcstg. dir. of operations. In Oct. 4 speech to Missouri Bcstrs. Assn., he said commissioners "want to be argued with" and "the public is better off and broadcasters are better off, if these ideas can be subjected to debate before they become hard-nosed conclusions, or become votes. " He suggested that each state association form committee to respond to public proposals by Commissioners, particularly those advanced in speeches. McClay said that broadcasters' replies to proposed FCC rules usually are little more than "you can't do it." "It would be a very uncommon group of men indeed," he said, "who could avoid becoming somewhat insensible to such a chorus." ABC was pleased with first 30 -market Nielsen ratings since debut of most new network shows. In top 10, ABC captured 4 places, vs. 5 for CBS, 1 for NBC. Covering week ended Oct. 6, top 10 list had only 2 new shows both of them ABC programs— "Patty Duke Show" and "The Fugitive." CBS's "Beverly Hillbillies" was No. 1, followed by Patty Duke and "Donna Reed Show"— both ABC— tied for 2nd. For all nighttime shows during week, CBS had average rating of 19. 5, and 32. 7 share of audience; ABC 17. 1 & 28. 6; NBC 16. 3 & 27. 3. World-Wide organization of broadcasters to serve, in part, as an information center for available live & recorded programs was suggested by NBC Chmn. Robert Sarnoff in Tokyo last week. There to sign exclusive TV deal for 1964 ^mmer Olympics, he said satellites will bring in 5-10 years a global audience of billions watching same program, same time. He said at least 19 separate Olympic programs covering minimum of 14 1/2 hours would be telecast in U. S. by tape. Second "Town Meeting of the World" by CBS via Telstar n will be presented 8:30-9:30 a. m. Oct. 15, repeated via tape 7:30-8:30 p. m. Oct. 16. "The Christian Revolution" will be discussed by clergymen in Rome, London & U.S. Aug. network billings were up 3.1% over last year, TvB reports. ABC had $16, 271, 600, up 1. 2%; CBS, $26, 883, 700, up 7.7%; NBC, $23, 068, 700, down .4%. TvB's 9th annual membership meeting will be held Nov. 19-21 at Chicago's Sheraton-Blackstone. Theme is value of TV to advertisers "Beyond the Numbers. " TvB of Canada signs CTV Network as member. House approved 1964 appropriations for FCC & FTC last week. It voted $15.8 million for FCC, $849, 450 more than 1963's $14,950,550. Commission had requested $16.5 million. FTC was voted $12. 1 million, up $627,500 from 1963's $11,472,500. It asked for $13, 028, 000. FCC's increase is slated for 20 new employes, 15 of which are ticketed for Common Carrier and Field Engineering. Appropriations Committee report said it expects FTC to produce "better results than in the past and action on more significant cases." It denied FTC's request of $100,000 for general questionnaire & economic study of intercorporate relations. FCC testifies before Senate Appropriations Committee Oct. 14, is braced for quiz by Sen. Allott (R-Colo.) on commercial ceiling, fees, etc. NAB Fall Conferences start Oct. 14-15 at Hartford's Statler Hilton. Main concern will be threats of federal intrusion into broadcasting affairs, reports NAB. There'll be separate TV-radio workshop sessions, plus joint meetings to hear: (1) Report on ratings problems by Group W's Don McGannon. (2) "Controversy on Your Station and How to Deal With It," panel moderated by Howard Bell, NAB planning & development vp. Pres. Collins will address opening of each conference, including Minneapolis, Oct. 17-18; Pittsburgh, Oct. 21-22; Miami Beach, Oct. 24-25; Nashville, Nov. 14-15; Fort Worth, Nov. 18-19; Denver, Nov. 21-22; San Francisco, Nov. 25-26. Sen. Moss (D-Utah) assailed FCC’s commercial ceiling proposal last week. "Establishing in detail the amount of time which a broadcaster may use for advertising would be an indefensible intrusion of government into the every day activity of broadcasters," he said. He called it "first step" on "road to complete economic regulation," said industry should be allowed to "remedy present deficiencies on its own" rather than have forced on it "public utility concept" regulating charges & costs. He added that House & Senate deliberations on 1927 Radio Act & 1934 Communications Act "convinces me" FCC doesn't have such authority. Rep. Rogers (D-Tex. ) addresses Texas Assn, of Bcstrs. at Dallas Oct. 21; he's Communications Subcommittee chmn. , will shortly set hearing dates for his & other's bills that would prohibit FCC from setting limits on commercials. Another bill (HR-8729), similar to Rogers', was introduced by Rep. Broyhill (R-N. C. ) last week. It’s not govt.'s role to anticipate tastes & cultural desires of public and then enforce its judgment, Paul Comstock, NAB govt, affairs vp, told Alabama Bcstrs. Assn, last week. He said issue has been raised by govt.'s efforts to define fairness doctrine, its attempts to place artificial limits on commercial time, its desire to change "vast wasteland" into "verdant vineyard of culture and education." "How many steps do we take along this road before we abdicate our integrity as citizens?" he asked. ETV WNDT N. Y. has received $25, 000 from Louis Calder Foundation & $12, 500 from Rockefeller Brothers Fund, original contributor to station's acquisition by ETV group. Pay TV in Hartford will show 2 Yale football games, Oct. 26 & Nov. 2. RKO General also plans to present pro basketball & hockey from Madison Square Garden & Boston Garden this season, to its 3, 400 homes. "A Law to Outlaw Pay-TV" is called for in ads paid for by Southern Cal. Theater Owners Assn. It asks public, in state -wide referendum, to vote pay TV down.