Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

NEW SERIES VOL. 3, No. 46 TELEVISION DIGEST-5 PCC ACTS TO CRACK SALES LOGJAM; Pressured by Congress, which is pressured by broadcaster constituents, FCC last week told Hill what it's doing to speed station sales and what causes delays. (1) Increased staff delegation. (2) Temporary assignments of 5 additional attorneys to task. (3) Instead of handling cases as filed, "non-problem" applications are disposed of first. (4) Where deadline dates would kill sales, "timely" action is planned. These measures made It possible, Chmn. Henry said, to dispose of 64 cases in Oct. 1963, nearly twice as many as previous month, nearly 1-1/2 times 1963 monthly average. He noted, however, that this barely kept up with inflow of applications for Oct., about 65. There are 3 basic reasons for hold-ups, Henry said: (1) Sales involving exceptions to rule requiring licensees to keep station 3 years. (2) Increasing opposition to proposed station sales, as provided for in pre-grant protest procedure. (3) Closer review of financial qualifications. HARRIS SCORES 'FAIRNESS DOCTRINE': FCC's concept of "fairness," according to Commerce Committee Chmn. Harris (D-Ark.), would place intolerable burden on stations, result finally in no editorials at all. Addressing Assn, of Bcstg. Executives of Tex. in Dallas last week, Harris said foregoing would result because Commission indicates that stations must solicit variety of views every time it broadcasts controversial issues. He elaborated: "My feeling is that the judgment as to what 'contrasting' viewpoints a broadcaster should permit to be aired over his facilities should be left with the licensee, where the Commxmications Act put it in the first place. To these burdens that a concentrated effort to enforce the fairness doctrine would impose on licensees, should be added the additional burdens on the Commission itself. . . Our primary objective, as 1 see it, is to remove whatever obstacles we can that stand in the way of the freedom of a responsible broadcasting industry." Harris emphasized, however, that many people fail to realize that industry "has yet to cross the Rubicon." It's necessary that "some degree of regulation be imposed" because of limited frequencies, he stated. Sole responsibility for public obligations rests with licensee, Harris stressed, not advertising agencies or rating services— or FCC. Turning to ratings, Harris said: "Unless you recover your own responsible decision-making functions, you will have no one but yourselves to blame, should the federal government on behalf of the public imdertake to do something about it. " Network TV-radlo coverage, not live, of FCC's Dec. 9 commercial-limits oral argument, has been given goahead. CBS asked for coverage opportunity, was granted green light, provided pool arrangement is made if others wish to cover. Sale ol WAFG-TV (Ch. 31) Huntsville, Ala. by P. T. Gunn, James R. Cleary & associates for $509, 775 to Smith Bcstg. Inc., owner of Huntsville radio WAAY, has been approved by FCC. NEW & UPCOMING STATIONS: KJFL-TV (Ch, 6) Durango, Colo. , a real surprise, began programming Nov. 4 as independent. It's year's 13th new starter, raises operating TV total to 647 (115 uhf). KJFL-TV has 100-watt Gates transmitter, 60 -ft. tower with Dynair antenna on Montview Parkway. Owner is Floyd Jeter who also owns radio KFLI Walsenburg, Colo. He's gen. mgr. , operator & film buyer. To date he has staff of one— R. N. Dale, sales. Base hour is $60. Rep not chosen. Note: KXO-TV (Ch. 7) & KECC-TV (Ch. 9) El Centro, Cal. , held up by litigation, report they won't begin construction until Court of Appeals reaffirms CPs. * * * * In our continuing survey of upcoming stations, here are latest reports received from principals: KFME (Ch. 13 ETV) Fargo, N. D. now has Jan. 1 programming target, writes Dr. Clair R. Tettemer, gen. mgr. Work on studios has been completed, 10 -kw RCA transmitter is in place, and RCA Super Turnstile antenna has been installed on 426-ft. Blaw-Knox self-supporting tower. Clinton Olmstead, ex-KUAT Tucson, wiU be chief engineer; Bonita Vastag, traffic mgr. WITV (Ch. 7 ETV) Charleston, S. C. plans Jan. 1 tests, Jan. 15 programming, according to Chief Engineer Charles S. Morris. Used 5-kw DuMont transmitter arrives Dec. 1 from Visual Electronics. Transmitter house is ready and station will use 162-ft. former WCSCTV tower. Staff at S. C. Educational TV Commission's other station WNTV (Ch. 29 ETV) Greenville, S. C. wHl also serve WITV. WBGU-TV (Ch. 70 ETV) Bowling Green, O. has changed target to Jan. 13, according to Dr. Duane E. Tucker, gen. mgr. & dir. of broadcasting at Bowling Green ^ate U. It has 1-kw RCA transmitter on hand. Roof of University's new administration building is being prepared for tower. Worried about tobacco-health-advertising. Commerce Committee Chmn. Magnuson (D-Wash.) asked FCC what it's going to do if Surgeon General has strong anti-tobacco report— now expected about end of year. It's understood Commission told him, in effect little more than: "We're standing by, waiting, keeping liaison with HEW Dept. , FTC, etc." Report will be review of literature, contains no recommendations; these are due in another report, expected next year. In medical field, it's assumed this year's report will show that there's statistical indication that smoking contributes to cancer, heart ailments, premature childbirth. Public disclosure of network affiliation contracts, recommended in 1957 by Barrow Report, was up for FCC discussion last week. At the moment, indications are that Commission will propose it in rulemaking. Proponents argue that disclosure will promote competition. Greatest opposition was voiced by Comr. Ford, who asserted that competition will be reduced— all contracts becoming same. NAB & RAB will jointly survey radio stations on commercial recording techniques. Decision was made last week at N. Y. meeting attended by representatives of NAB, RAB, AAAA. Survey grew out of complaint by J. Walter Thompson agency, which said there's loss in quality when station transfers disc commercial to tape.