Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

NAB LIBRARY -'““ Television Digest with Consumes* Electronics . . . The authoritative service for executives in all branches of the television arts & industries NOVEMBER 11, 1963 NEW SERIES VOL. 3, No. 45 SUMMARY-INDEX OF WEEK'S NEWS Broadcast FCC COMMERCIALS PLAN STUMBLES ON HILL: Commission testimony bombarded. Henry called ’mischievous young man.' Congressmen, except Moss, question FCCs authority & objectives. Harris advises it to find another , way. Commissioners insist they have jurisdiction— even j those who don't favor plan (p. 1). I BELL NAMED CODE DIR. IN PEACE-PIPE MEETING I between Exec. Committee & Pres. Collins. Latter assures group he didn't intend that Code Dir. usurp Board powers (p. 3). CBS’S FOOT IN CATV DOOR— loan & option to buy in Vancouver, B. C. System has 17, 000 subscribers, aims for 70, 000 -plus in 2 years. Network has no plans for U. S. acquisitions, is exploring more foreign possibilities (p. 3). NAEB PUSHES COMPUTER-BUILT UHF PLAN, claims more & better assignments than FCC proposal, more flexibility, provision for growth. Commission engineers say added channels placed where no demand exists (p. 4). NIELSEN TRIES TO STOP RATING LEAKS. NAB&RAB to confer this week on next step in radio study. ARB encounters few 'hold-outs' in price increase. Pulse to use diary technique (p. 5). Consumer Electronics MOLECULAR CONSUMER PRODUCT due in 1964-integrated-circuit hearing aid to be first of revolutionary consumer items which use no conventional components; uhf tuner may be next, with molecular radios possible in 1965 (p. 7). ’WINDFALL' TO IMPORTERS could result from 'error' by Tariff Commission which EIA claims has cut picture tube duty from 30% to 12%, with possibility of further reduction in new tariffs; legislation would provide remedy (P. 8). ZENITH REPORTS best 3rd quarter, best 9 months in sales & profits, aU-time records in TV & stereo, color sales nearly double 1962 (p. 11). i NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS: We call your attention to the copyright notice at the bottom of this page. Television Digest is a service for the exclusive use of its subscribers. Partial or complete reproduction without permission, for internal or external distribution, is expressly prohibited as a violation of copyright. ' Most major organizations take advantage of our group rates to provide key executives with , their own copies of Television Digest promptly and at reasonable cost. We will be pleased to supply information on a group package tailored to your company’s needs. FCC COMMERCIALS PLAN STUMBLES ON HILL: FCC ran into no pleasant surprises at House hearI ings last week on its plan to set limits on commercials. Except for one member (Moss) , Subcommiti tee chaired by Rep. Rogers (D-Tex. ) was hostile to idea, challenged Commission’s authority. Perhaps I most significantly, members wondered where it would all end if FCC ever traveled this road— "program I control," "profit control," etc. I Height of Subcommittee annoyance was reached when Rep. Cunningham (R-Neb. ) called Chmn. Henry a "mischievous young man." Squeezing maximum out of phrase, Cunningham said Henry was ■ "mischievous" in Omaha, he’s "mischievous" now and it's time "somebody’s wings were clipped." He » said that perhaps Communications Act should be rewritten because it’s a "shame” that people have to i go to trouble & expense of coming here to "defend their right to make a living. ’’ I Exclusive defender of FCC stand was Rep. Moss (D-Cal.), who called Henry’s statement "care■ fully reasoned & responsible." He said to enact legislation— by Rogers & others prohibiting FCC from I Copyright 1963 by Television Digest, Inc. Reproduction in any form, I without written permission, prohibited.