Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

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"—Television Digest with The authoritative service for executives in all branches of the television arts & industries NOVEMBER 4, 1963 NEW SERIES VOL 3, No. 44 nab LIBRAm* NOV 4 1963 Broadcast ARY-INDEX OF WEEK^S NEWS Consumer Electronics FCC'b BIG-TICKET AGENDA defers action on drop-ins & CATV rules. Progress report on network program ownership, station program form, deferred renewals, station-sale processing, CATV-station joint ownership (p. 1). FTC CHECKS NIELSEN; NAB & RAB AGREE; Consent order requires Nielsen to refrain from alleged monopolistic practice, to open up patents to anyone royalty-free for 4 years, to refrain from acquiring any rating company for 10 years. NAB & RAB come to terms on radio methodology study (p. 2). NEB. PULLS RUG ON TIME SALES: State Supreme Court rules that interest charges on time sales are loans, voids all contracts since 1959 in which rates exceed state's 9% simple usury maximum. Retailers & financing agencies face loss of interest, principal & products estimated at some $1 billion (p. 7). FM MARKET BIGGER than most people realize— survey indicated production & imports of FM receivers will exceed 5 million this year, 6.4 million next year, compared with about 3.3 million in 1962; imports surprisingly high, could pass domestic output in '64 (p. 8). BILL QUARTON'S 'DEAR ROY' RE COMMERCIALS calls for Exec. Committee meeting on Code, says Code Board Members 'won't give up their policy making authority to anyone' (p. 3). ROGERS TO WEIGH FCC POWERS: Commission testi mony prepared for Nov. 6 hearing claims 'broad authority' to deal with over -commercialization. Rogers thinks differently, says view is indicative of FCC staff attitude (p. 3). CRICHTON DISSECTS WASHINGTON: AAAA pres, tells IRTS that FCC should let industry handle over-commercialization, says radio overpopulation has helped create problem, hopes FCC won't repeat with uhf, urges reconsideration of option time niling (p. 4). HOME TV RECORDER to be shown to TV manufacturers by Fairchild Camera, which may build it for OEM sales only; no details revealed, but Fairchild also plans professional unit at $3-$5,000 (p. 9). 8 -MONTH SALES FIGURES reflect healthy TV business, though all -channel sets are only 14% of output; FM & car radio are high spots in drab radio picture; phono sales come close to record Aug. '62 figure (p. 10). BOOM TV BUSINESS continues into Oct. , while portables increase share of market; Magnavox discontinues low-end color consoles & combo due to tube squeeze; Ed Taylor predicts TV sales; Pilot to start color sales this fall (p. 11). FCC'S BIG-TICKET AGENDA; FCC had some heavy items on agenda last week, didn't get to all of them. Here's what happened, we've learned: (1) Vhf drop-ins & CATV rules weren't considered, probably won't get action this week either. Apparently, Commission doesn't consider speed mandatory. (2) Network program ownership practices were discussed Oct. 28, with upshot that Commission decided to ask networks for more data on their revenues & profits from program sales & syndication. (3) Adoption of new program form for radio was given high priority, and it's expected quite soon. Also, stations will be required to file renewal applications more than present 90 days before expiration, to give FCC staff time to process; 5-6 months are expected. (4) Deferred renewals for Md. , D. C. , Va. & W. Va. were discussed, and Commission agreed with staff that more data on virtually all is needed. Most had non -program problems— technical, incomplete applications, etc. Of 77 deferred AMs, 9 have program problems, 7 have program & other problems. All 14 FMs have non-program angles. All 10 TVs are being questioned on "local -live" issue. Copyright 1963 by Television Digest, Inc. Reproduction in any form, without written permission, prohibited.