What's on the air (Nov 1929-Feb 1931)

WHAT'S ON THE AIR Page 43 WT)R Newark {N.J.) Station, February 7, 14, 21, 28 FRIDAY Seeks "Scoops" and Finds Them OPERATING a broadcasting station is analogous to getting out newspapers. And this is particularly true of WOR, from its director, Alfred J. McCosker, down to the youngest page on the staff. In fact, Mr. McCosker and several of his associate executives have held down editorial positions on metropolitan dailies. "Scoops" is the watchword, and every potential means of developing them is explored. In broadcasting, a "scoop" means extraordinary talent or feature that will attract a greater audience just as an exclusive piece of news means the sale of more newspapers. All papers have reporters stationed in strategic districts, so as to avoid missing anything. WOR has representatives, in places which, it thinks, hold potentially feature broadcasts, on constant lookout for feature material. Since Mr. McCosker instituted the system of putting "spot news" broadcasts on the air — that is, events of great public interest — other stations have followed suit, but not before WOR had attained a position of tremendous prestige. Then followed plans for entrenching our position. These have had many ramifications. No expense is spared to "sign up" personages in the public eye. Often it is done by cable. Often it is done by wireless, if the person sought happens to be aboard ship. True, there are many disappointments for one cause or another. Usually the reason is an exorbitant demand for money. And the reason for this is the Munschausenistic tales of fabulous sums paid for short broadcasts. Mark Twain's "Gross Exaggeration" would be mild compared to the claims made. Aside from the "scoops," Mr. McCosker's idea is to present a well-balanced program with a sufficient number of interest-evoking features to make it unusual and original. It was for that reason he established what the station calls the "directorate," composed of all the executives of the station over which he presides. The meetings are interesting. Every potential program idea presented brings an avalanche of criticism from the colleagues of the sponsor. Much of it isn't merited, but it puts the "burden of proof" on its originator. He or she must prove it is good, or it is rejected. The regular features of the station have justified this method in the praise listeners have bestowed. So many good ideas have been offered by the "directorate" that it spurs continuity writers to work harder on their features, for fear that they will be displaced. All the continuities are now being written by staff members. ALFRED J. McCOSKER, Director of WOR. © Planters Pickers Hallelujah singers; negro quartet; Billy Artz and his orchestra. Announcer, Edward Thorgersen. © Mystery House Melodrama with musical cntre-actes. Announcer, Neel Enslen. © Hotel St. Regis Orchestra Announcer, Marthin Provensen; dance music. O Armstrong Quakers Lois Bennett, soprano; Mary Hopple, contralto; male quartet; orchestra direction, Victor Arden. © Slumber Music © The Pepsodent Program (First 15 min.) Amos 'a' Andy. 1U 30 U 30 EASTERN TIME 0|© WGR BUFFALO 1 N.Y. 0| D P O WKBW BUFFALO 93 © © © *WMAKBUFFAL0 36 WABC NEW YORK 32 © 0 0 © © © WEAF NEW YORK 12 O © © WJZ NEW YORK 22 © D © © WHAM ROCHTER 61 *WHECrochter 90 w G © WGY SCHENDY25 © 0 © O *WFBL SYRACUSE 36 o WBT CHARLOT 54 N.C. WPTF RALEIGH 14 0 © O WWNCashevle 3 © 0 WADC AKRON 78 OHIO © X © © *WFJC AKRON 91 © 0 D O WKRCdNClNNATI 1 WLW CINCINNATI 16 o X P W o WSAI CINCINNATI 79 © 0 O ND WHK CLEVEL'D 85 MY WT D O WTAM CLEVEL'D 53 WAIU C0LUMBS10 *WCAHcOLUMB'S89 © X 0 0 © © O O O D WSPD TOLEDO 80 *WKBNY0'NGSTN3 KFJF 0KLA.CITY93OKLA. O X © WKY 0KLA.CITY36 o *KV00 TULSA 60 *WHP HARRISBG 89 PA. © 0 R R WLBW oil cm 72 © 0 © D WCAU PHILAD. 63 *WFAN PHILAD. 7 *WFI PHILAD. 2 © *VVLIT PHILAD. 2 KDKA PITTSB'GH 44 o © © © 0 WCAE PITTSB'GH 68 © 0 © WJAS PITTSB'GH 75 o o 0 © X O N WEANpR0VIDNCE24 R.I. WJAR PR0VIDNCE35 D o 0 © O WDODCHATTA. 74TENN. WMC MEMPHIS 24 X © © *WREC MEMPHIS 6 V o 0 *WLAC NASHY'LE 95 WSM NASHY'LE 11 E *KRLD DALLAS 50 TEX. *WFAA DALLAS 26 *WBAP FT.W0RTH26 KPRC HOUSTON 38 *KTSAs.ANT0NI0 75 WOAIs \NT0NI0 65 © o o © o D X p o © X D X P N D © © D O 'WTARnORFOLK 24 VA. WRVA KICHM'D 57 WDBJ toANon 39 © 0 © O ♦WEBC SUPER* 74 WISC *WISNmILWAU. 58 O X T WTMJ MILWAU. 8 9 91Q10 •J 30 IV/ 30 CENTRAL TIME :': Divides Time with Another Station