In December 1946, the FCC finally handed out six commercial licenses, creating the landscape for much of today’s television in Los Angeles. One went to W6XYZ, which would become commercialised KTLA within weeks. W6XAO was the one applicant that didn’t get a commercial license because of some concerns about Don Lee’s radio business (anchored by KHJ). That would be rectified soon.
The FCC’s other concern was the perennial battle between CBS and colour TV with NBC and black-and-white TV. Hearings began. More hearings would take place in the new year. That sums it up.
More and more sets were being sold but the big money would still be in radio for a few more years. To give you an idea of the difference in quality of the two media, one trade paper named Bob Hope’s counterpart in TV. It was the guy who later played Marlo Thomas’ father on “That Girl.”
The news about news in December 1946 wasn’t good news. Esso cut back from two to one sponsored newsreel on WNBT, while Milo Fournier decided he could make more money on radio news sponsorships, and was replaced on the Gulf news report on WCBS by reporter Larry LeSueur. Doug Edwards wasn't too many months away.
Increasing sales (that is, if you could find a store where sets weren’t sold out) prompted the Chicago Tribune to start providing television listings in the last week of 1946. The Los Angeles Times would do the same beginning in the middle of the following March.
And we note the hiring of Dwight Hemion, who became a noted director and producer through television’s Golden Age.
Sunday, December 1
WCBS-TV Channel 2
8:15 News with Tom O’Connor.
8:30 “Shorty,” cartoon show with Syd Hoff, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste.
8:45 “Sports Almanac” with Bob Edge, sponsored by Vitalis.
9:00 General John H. Kilpatrick, interview.
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 Football at the Polo Grounds. N.Y. Giants vs. Los Angeles Rams.
8:00 “Face to Face,” with cartoonist Bob Dunn, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea.
8:15 “Geographically Speaking” with Mrs. Carveth Wells, sponsored by Minit-Rub/Trushay.
8:30 “Television Screen Magazine.”
Monday, December 2
WNBT Channel 4
7:50 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley, relayed to WPTZ.
8:00 “Voice of Firestone Televues.”
8:10 Short subject.
8:30-11:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing at St. Nicholas Arena. Kid Gavilan vs. Johnny Williams, welterweight, ten rounds. Five preliminary bouts.
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 Film: “The Westland Case” with Preston Foster. (Universal, 1937).
9:00-11:00 Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
Tuesday, December 3
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 Continuous INS news, music, test pattern.
8:00 “Play the Game,” charades with Harvey Zorbaugh, sponsored by Alexander Stores.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
Variety Show
Reviewed Tuesday (3), 9-9:30 p.m. Style—Variety. Sustaining over W6XYZ (Paramount), Hollywood.
Well-balanced fare and Dick Lane's top-drawer emseeing made Para mount's vaude-styled revue a living room treat. Seg opened with honeyed harmonizing by Basin Street Boys. Foursome's expressive song-styling soothed the ear, while their easy relaxed screen manner added to voice-blenders' appeal.
Dorese Midgely, trim terpstress, held the eye in the next slot with three dances.
Weakest on the bill was Two Esquires, acro act. Pair went thru time worn routines, tending to slow down an already leisurely revue.
Featured act was "Willie the Wizard," a lad whose photographic mind and ability to add, subtract and multiply large sums at a glance gave show a Bob Ripley twist. Studio audience participation gimmick was used to prove everything was on the up and up. Couple of seat warmers were pulled before the cameras and asked to write down strings of numbers to test Willie's unusual talents. These were written on a large sheet of paper held in scanning position in an easel, with the hope that the cameras could catch the figures. However, participants turned their backs to the lens during the writing process, blocking the view, and what was written was too small to distinguish. Since this was the feature act and its complete success hinged more on the visual than the audio, it is difficult to understand why these problems were not realized and hurdled during rehearsal. Show was further weakened by bringing Willie on in the next to last rather than last slot.
Lane's glib emseeing can spice any show and easily covers not too serious shortcomings. While mishaps stole the polish from an otherwise fine revue, the fairly good talent and Lane's smooth-as-silk patter made it thoroly satisfying. Particularly commendable, was show's wind-up. Basin Street Boys were brought back for an encore. Lad's pic slowly faded into test-pattern, their toned-down singing serving as background for Lane's closing commentary. (Billboard, Dec. 14)
Wednesday, December 4
WCBS-TV Channel 2
8:15 Hockey at Madison Square Garden: Rangers vs. Canadiens, sponsored by Ford.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 “The Jewelry Case,” fashion drama sponsored by Coro, Inc.
8:30 Film short.
9:00 Dramatic Serial: “Far Away Hill.”
9:30 Boxing at Jamaica Arena. Jimmy Corollo vs. Sandy McPherson.
The Marshall Field Theater
Reviewed Wednesday (4), 8-8:30 p.m. Sponsored by Marshal Field & Company on WBKB, Chicago. This program continues to be one of the worst video shows aired here. It's so bad it ought to be taken off or revamped completely. At the end of tonight's airing, an agency man in the audience at WBKB was heard to remark: "Well, that ought to set television back another 10 years."
Sad part about series, which has now been on long enough to have had bugs ironed out, is that it is sponsored by one of the top department stores here, which did not hesitate to pay Don McNeil, famed conductor of the ABC Breakfast Club, a top salary (rumored to be $500 a week) and which is spending about $65,000 for a 26-week video series.
Show proves that top-notch radio talent, doesn't necessarily constitute good video material.
Tonight's program started with McNeil interviewing members of the WBKB studio audience. This had no entertainment value. It continued with sequence in which McNeil was supposed to be dreaming about effort of Santa Claus to save his toy factory from the "Goblin King" of the South Pole. After the "Goblin" had blown up Santa's factories, day was saved by a gnome, who arrived with toys from Marshall Field's. This commercial was weak and insipid.
Some one should tell McNeil, Marshall Field and WBKB that their reputations are being ruined by this show. (Billboard, Dec. 14)
Pointing up the big league baseball owners' contention that television will not hurt their gate receipts, exclusive video rights to the 77 home games of both the N. Y. Giants and Yankees were sold this week to complete the commercial video pattern for N. Y. baseball.
Yankee games went to DuMont, with NBC signing a similar deal for the Giants. Brooklyn plum had already been seized by CBS, with board chairman William S. Paley personally handling the deal that gave the web rights to Dodger home games on a three-year contract.
Col. Larry S. MacPhail is reported to have asked $30,000-$40,000 from DuMont for the Yankee games, with the price to be boosted to $80,000 if DuMont succeeds in getting a sponsor. Terms between NBC and the Giants have not yet been set, with Giants' prexy Horace Stoneham deciding to wait and see whether NBC would televise the games on a sustaining or commercial basis.
CBS execs have declined to state the terms of their contract with the Dodgers. It's understood, however, that the web has already made overtures to Ford Motors and the J. Walter Thompson ad agency for Ford to pick up the tab on at least 50 of the 77 homes games. Ford is currently the top bankroller of sports events on video and already has a deal with CBS to sponsor many events from Madison Sq. Garden this winter.
John F. Royal, NBC tele chief, reportedly wanted to sign with both the Yanks and Dodgers and made several visits to MacPhail's office waving a check for $80,000 in his hands. MacPhail, however, after first holding out for more money from NBC than he accepted from DuMont, finally decided he wanted to sell to a station that had no other team, so signed on with DuMont. Royal is assertedly satisfied with his Giant pact, though, figuring N. Y. is basically a Giants' town and that the club should eventually perk up to emulate its league-leading tendencies of several years ago.
NBC Carried Ball
All three tele nets covered baseball on an experimental basis last year, with the big league prexies willing to let them in for nothing then. NBC carried the brunt of the schedule, scanning two or three games a week of at least one of the three teams all during the season. Web got a taste of things to come during the final playoff series between the Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals when it was forced to pay $6,500 for rights to the game played in N. Y.
Specific plans for selling baseball to television stations are expected to be made at the baseball owners' meet Dec. 31. Since the television scene varies with each city in accordance to the number of sets on the market, it's believed the owners will allow sale of video rights to be the prerogative of each local manager. WBKB (Balaban & Katz, Chicago), for instance, experimented with picking up several home games ot the Chicago Cubs last year but, with the few number of home-owned sets in Chi, the station couldn't afford to pay high prices to the Wrigley club.
Team owners are expected to pay strict attention to the effect of television on their gate receipts. Most of them, however, believe that video will tend to boost attendance at ball parks in much the same way radio did by creating fans out of people who hadn't previously paid much interest to the game. MacPhail, for instance, predicts that he'll gain two new customers for each old fan who decides to watch the game from the comfort of his own easy chair. (Variety, Dec. 4)
Hollywood, Dec. 3.—Television newsreel deal, the first of its kind here, has been worked out between Don Lee's experimental station, W6XAO and Ansco. Arrangement calls for the latter to process reels shot by a special Lee crew and time allowed runs from five to 48 hours, depending on circumstances and material.
Special crew is being set up by Don Lee which will cover public events and record them on silent 16m film. Stuff will then be rushed to Ansco for handling and on delivery telecasted on the station's regularly scheduled Monday night program.
Sound effects will be added later where necessary via the special crew consisting of announcer, lensman and sound effector. (Variety, Dec. 4)
NEW YORK.—Demonstration of its new color television receiver by Bendix Aviation Corporation Wednesday (4) prompted renewed expressions of opinion on the part of black and white advocates that tinted video is strictly for the future-and not the near future. Bendix showing, tipped exclusively in last week's issue of The Billboard, suffered from transmission difficulties, with reception not too good either on sound or video. Show, which included both live talent and film shots transmitted by Columbia Broadcasting System, was marred by a definite flutter. (Billboard, Dec. 14)
Thursday, December 5
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 “CBS Television News” with Milo Boulton, sponsored by Gulf.
8:30 All-New York Junior High School Quiz.
WNBT Channel 4
7:50 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley, relayed to WPTZ. (sustaining on Thursdays after this broadcast).
8:00 “Hour Glass,” variety, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea/Chase and Sanborn Coffee.
9:00 “American Business On Parade.”
9:10 Foreign newsreel.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 Vera Massey Show.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Cash and Carry,” game show with Dennis James.
Detect and Collect
Reviewed Thursday (5), 8-8:30 p.m. Style--Quiz. Sponsored by Hirshon-Garifeld Advertising Agency thru the American Broadcasting Company over WABD (DuMont), New York.
ABC's quiz show, with emsee Lew Parker, is one of the best of this type seen in a long time. Show is fast, full of laughs, interesting to watch and is the kind of well-produced program that should attract a sponsor. Bobbie Henry, ABC video director, did an excellent producing job.
Only weak spot was fade-in, commercial-wise, of the agency office, designed to show how an ad agency operates and how it prepares copy. Cut-away showed Sydney Garfield, agency prexy, sitting in office explaining agency functions. Idea was interesting and was worked out pretty well, but Garfield wasn't well rehearsed. It was here the program began to slip. Fortunately, however, after a few minutes program again switched back to the quiz.
Emsee Parker proved good video material by throwing a fast line of gags and patter as he interviewed and questioned program participants. Typical was gag he pulled at opening. Parker appeared with a bandaged face, saying that he had just seen The Razor's Edge. He's one of few emsees to date who seems capable of handling a program to the point where it's fun to watch.
Format is the typical humorous quiz show. Parker asked questions—most too tough to answer—and gave contestants only a few seconds to answer. Failing to give correct reply, participants go thru comic gimmick or routine to win awards, consisting of chickens, wrist watches and oil paintings. (Billboard, Dec. 14)
Hollywood.—New, ambitious program schedule of six nights weekly goes into effect Thurs. (5) on Television Productions' (Paramount) station W6XYZ here. Replacing the erstwhile two nights weekly sked" the blossoming will put station on programming par with all other stations in nation, including NBC and DuMont in the cast.
Being brought here for the expansion move by W6XYZ are two RCA Image Orthicon cameras, first ever consigned to the coa.st. Gadgets are now en route by air express, and will be used for remote pickups, as station's new programming includes considerable sports coverage. (Variety, Dec. 4)
Friday, December 6
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 “Television Quarterback” with Lou Little, sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
8:15 “You Are an Artist” with John Gnagy.
8:30 “I Love to Eat” with James Beard, sponsored by Borden’s.
8:45 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
9:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing from Madison Square Garden. European Middleweight champ Marcel Cerdan vs. Georgie Abrams.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:15 Western Film: “Feud of the West” with Hoot Gibson (Diversion, 1936).
9:15 Wrestling from Jamaica Arena.
You Are an Artist
Reviewed Friday (6), 8:15-8:25 p.m. Style—Art instruction. Sustaining over WNBT (NBC), New York.
NBC worked out an interesting art session for this program, which features Jon Gagny, artist. Format aims at showing viewers that with proper instruction, they too can learn to draw. Gagny explained certain art fundamentals, illustrating, with charcoal, each point. Handled simply and concisely, it added up to an impressive educational feature.
Starting Thursday (12), program will be sponsored by Gulf Refining. Howard Cordery directs. (Billboard, Dec. 14)
Let's Rumba
Reviewed Friday (6), 8:25-8:30 p.m. Style—Dance instruction. Sustaining over WNBT (NBC), New York.
This five-minute Arthur Murray competition program is okay provided one can watch a video set and dance at the same time. Terper billed as D'Avlos, shows various rumba steps and Director Howard Cordery has worked out a nice pattern, showing the dancer's feet, then panning into a long shot. D'Avlos showed several steps in the routine, explained' them, and them demonstrated the steps several times with his partner. Program can easily become a popular little show. (Billboard, Dec. 14)
Saturday, December 7
WCBS-TV Channel 2
7:30 “King’s Party Line” with John Reed King.
8:00 “Saturday Revue.”
8:30 Basketball at Madison Square Garden. N.Y.U. vs. Connecticut, Manhattan vs. Western Michigan, sponsored by Ford.
WNBT Channel 4
8:30 Feature film.
WABD Channel 5
12:00-2:30 Children’s Christmas Show.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
With Jack O'Reilly, Bob Edge, announcers
Producer: Herbert Bayard Swope, Jr.
15 Mins.; Sat. (7) 8:30 p.m.
FORD MOTORS
WCBS-TV-CBS, N. Y.
(J. Walter Thompson)
Swinging into high gear on its winter sports program from Madison Sq. Garden, N. Y., the CBS television-Ford Motors team is currently, televising at least one night of basketball weekly from the Garden, with CBS carrying through on a sustaining basis other times when Ford doesn't come in. Web has apparently capitalized on the experience gained in the few times it picked up basketball from the Garden last year and is doing a good job to date.
Taking advantage of the fact that the two men behind the lenses of his Image Orthicon cameras are well-versed in sports, producer Herbert Bayard Swope, Jr., missed little of the action. As with boxing, basketball is well-suited to video through the fact that all the action takes place in a small area. Rapid tempo of the modern college game, however, kept Swope and his leasers on their toes. Producer concentrated on a medium closeup shot for best results, keeping his long shots to a minimum and using a closeup only at time-out intervals.
Present play-by-play announcing could be improved. Bob Edge, CBS sports director, does okay but leans too much to the standard clichés used by the majority of lesser-known sportswriters throughout the country. Jack O'Reilly, former sportscaster for several N. Y. radio indies, demonstrated again that radio announcers can't make the switch to tele in easy style. Besides talking too much, O'Reilly also talked down to the viewers, with his commentary resembling that of a grammar-school teacher talking to her kids.
Ford commercials were well-handled, consisting of both films and slides and short oral spots. Films, for some reason, showed the Ford engine without giving a picture of the car itself but maybe that's what the J. Walter Thompson agency wants. Stal. (Variety, Dec. 11)
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 7.—Don Lee television outlet W6XAO will round out its 15th year of telecasting with a special video show December 23. Said to be the oldest tele station in the country, Don Lee will have been on the air more than 7,330 hours by the end of the year.
Television director Harry Lubcke, who has headed video operations since its inception, will do a two- hour live and film show, reviewing highlights of past operations. Pro- gram will include film clips of special events previously covered by W6XAO's camera crews, plus special live show scripted by True Boardman. (Billboard, Dec. 14)
Sunday, December 8
WCBS-TV Channel 2
1:30 Football at Ebbets Field, Dodgers vs. Cleveland
8:15 News with Tom O’Connor.
8:30 “Shorty,” cartoon show with Syd Hoff, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste.
8:45 “Sports Almanac” with Bob Edge, sponsored by Vitalis.
9:00 U.N. General Assembly.
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 Football at the Polo Grounds. N.Y. Giants vs. Washington Redskins.
8:00 “Face to Face,” with cartoonist Bob Dunn, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea.
8:15 “Tele-Varieties,” sponsored by Minit Rub/Trushay.
8:30 “Television Theatre Presents: The Magic of Electronics” with Gordon Volketant.
TELE-VARIETIES
With Tommy Farrell, Herb Howard, Betty Barto, Ann Crowley
Producer: Wes McKee
Director: Ed Sobol
Writer: Richard Straus
15 Mins.; Sun., 8:20 p.m.
BRISTOL-MYERS
WNBT-NBC, N. Y.
{Young & Rubicam)
With the promise of 1,000,000 television sets on the market by the end of 1947, Bristol-Myers is hanging on to its 15-minule Sunday night slot on WNBT (NBC, N. Y.). Mrs, Carveth Wells, who formerly held down the spot with her travelogs on the "Geographically Speaking" shows, finally ran out of film and was forced to discontinue the program to start another worldwide trek in search of new material. As a replacement, B-M ran in its new "Tele-Varieties," which preemed last Sunday (8).
If the teeoff program is any indication, even the cream time slot isn't going to do B-M any good. Even the present set owners, commonly alluded to as raving television enthusiasts, can be expected to switch over to their radios unless something is done about this.
Talent on the show isn't bad, which would leave the responsibility for its faults chiefly in the laps of scripter Richard Straus and producer Wes McKee, both of the agency staff. Gags are corny to the extreme, continuity is lacking and the commercial is the kind to make viewers squirm in distaste. Camera work under the direction of NBC's Ed Sobol is as good as can be expected under the circumstances.
New York.—“Operation Underground,” a documentary film made by underground cameramen in Paris during the war, had its first New York showing over the NBC Television network yesterday [8]. The program was seen on WNBT, WPTZ and WRGB. (Hollywood Reporter, Dec. 9)
Milton Caniff, creator of Terry and the Pirates, introduced his new comic strip characters on WNBT Sunday (8). (Billboard, Dec. 14)
Monday, December 9
8:00 Film: “Wild Horse Rustlers” with Bob Livingston, Fuzz St. John (PRC, 1943).
9:00 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley, relayed to WPTZ.
9:10 “Voice of Firestone Televues.”
9:20 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing at St. Nicholas Arena. Herb Kronowitz vs. Billy Walker, middleweight, ten rounds.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 Film: “Danger on the Air” with Donald Woods, Peter Lind Hayes, Lee J. Cobb. (Universal, 1938).
9:00-11:00 Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
Christmas Spirit of 1946
Reviewed Monday (9), 9-9:20 p.m. Style—Dramatic, with film inserts. Sustaining over W6XAO (Don Lee), Hollywood.
This was one of the poorest Don Lee video offerings in some time, with sloppy production completely negating what might have otherwise been an acceptable pre-holiday show. Students of UCLA's tele class took over the live portion to dramatize the story of why Americans have much for which to be thankful this Yuletide, but didn't quite make the pitch.
Seg was swollen with boners of all kinds, from opening without switching on sound channel to closing without proper fadeout. In between, were inexcusable flaws, evident to the most inexperienced video viewers.
Errors were embarrassing and made the entire production rough and amateurish. Yet there was nothing wrong with the show that couldn't have been solved with more thought, planning and rehearsal. Such careless errors as running film inserts on the reverse side of the film with words photographed backwards, and shots of actors dashing from sets at end of sequences have no place in television at this stage of the game. (Billboard, Dec. 21)
THE HEARING to decide whether color television goes commercial or retains its experimental status will open this morning (Dec. 9) before the FCC en banc.
While the hearing itself—based on the CBS petition for commercial color operation in the ultra-high frequencies—is expected to be largely an engineering battle, it appeared likely that the Commission also will get an on-the-scenes look at the respective color video systems of CBS and one of its major opponents in the hearing, Allen B. Du Mont Labs., before the proceedings are completed.
The Commission accepted an invitation to go next Monday to witness a demonstration of Du Mont color television at Passaic, N. J., and a further demonstration of CBS color at New York. The Commissioners, to be accompanied by some of their top staff men, frequently have made similar trips, but this is the first time in recent months that they have scheduled a tour at the beginning of the week. (Broadcasting, Dec. 9)
Tuesday, December 10
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 Continuous INS news, music, test pattern.
8:00 “Play the Game,” charades with Harvey Zorbaugh, sponsored by Alexander Stores.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
Music for You
Reviewed Tuesday (10), 8-8:15 p.m. Sustaining on WBKB, Chicago.
This show represented an attempt to put on good video musical fare while still adhering to the dictates of the American Federation of Musicians. It was not successful. Movies, recorded music, a singer and a commentator were used in an all-Gershwin program. Altho each component was okay in itself, the aggregate did not represent a smooth, interest-holding stimulating production.
Principal reason was that selection of movie and music played had no correlation at most times. Scenes of the movie, a Paris travelog, had little motion that accentuated or added to theme of the music, Gershwin's An American in Paris. At only one point (when the music was trying to depict movement of taxis and the travelog had a shot of cars moving down a Pairs street) was the proper mood correlation attained.
Best of show was when Robert Spiro, top-notch baritone, sang some Gershwin Porgy and Bess tunes, accompanied only by recordings. His vocalizing was in perfect synchronization with the recordings. Lesson here, especially since Spiro had to rehearse only one hour with the recordings, is that more and more video producers ought to use this gimmick as long as musicians aren't permitted to perform. (Billboard, Dec. 21)
Wednesday, December 11
WCBS-TV Channel 2
8:15 Hockey at Madison Square Garden: Rangers vs. Canadiens, sponsored by Ford.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 “Make Way For Music.”
8:30 Film short.
9:00 Dramatic Serial: “Far Away Hill.”
9:30 Boxing at Jamaica Arena. Tony Janiero vs. Pete Geno, welterweights.
Wolves Vs. Monarchs
Reviewed Wednesday (11), 8:30-11 p.m. Style—Ice hockey remote. Sustaining over W6XYZ (Paramount), Hollywood.
That sportsfare is ideal for tele, Paramount tonight proved without doubt. Bringing its image orthicon cameras (first on the Coast) to the Pan-Pacific Rink, station gave home-viewers an exciting video night.
In covering hockey, outlet tackles one of the more difficult games in the sports book. High speed blade work keeps viewers on edge, but makes it rough going for the lensers. Station's camera crew met the challenge and demonstrated fine lensing technique. Seldom was a shot missed. Lads kept up with the puck thruout and exhibited a thoro knowledge of the game by knowing what to shoot, when and where.
Fortifying the lenswork, Paramount's hockey announcer, Bill Welch, added considerably to the enjoyment of the scanning. He knows his game and tailors his commentary so that . it supplements rather than duplicates what's on the screen.
Station will find what to do with its cameras between periods. Following the ice-scraper around the rink or shooting the scoreboard wastes time and falls flat. (Billboard, Dec. 21)
Television gets its most pretentious audience participation show to date, next Sunday (15), night when Borden's tees off its "Let's Celebrate" program over WNBT (NBC, N. Y.). Young & Rubicam is the agency.
Since the show is considered too large for the regular NBC tele studio, Y. & R. plans to stage it in NBC's radio studio 8G. Deprived of the tele studio's lighting system, consequently, the agency will utilize three Image Orthicon cameras, marking the first time that I.O.'s have been used in a live studio show. Wes McKee of the agency is producer, with NBC's Ed Sobol directing.
Bristol-Myers, which formerly sponsored the "Geographically Speaking" show on Sundays at 8:15 p.m., has replaced it with a new variety show titled "Tele-Varieties." U. S. Rubber, sponsor of the "Television Quarterback" on Friday nights at 8, has decided to continue in that slot, but with the emphasis on basketball following the close of the football season. Clair Bee, Long Island U's basketball coach, has been tentatively set as a replacement for Lou Little, Columbia grid coach, on the show.(Variety, Dec. 11)
WGNA will be the call letters of W-G-N’s new sister television station, Frank P. Schreiber, W-G-N general manager, announced yesterday. The use of the call letters was authorized by the federal communications commission in Washington, D. C. W-G-N’s frequency modulation station has the call letters WGNB assigned to it. W-G-N’s mobile transmitter, which has been operating under the call WONA has been assigned WGNM.
WGNA will telecast on channel 9 (196-192 megacycles) with an effective video (sight) power of 18.1 kilowatts and an audio (sound) power at 11 kilowatts, Carl J. Meyers, director of W-G-N engineering announced. The new television station expects to be programming by next May or June after necessary cameras and other equipment, flow on order, are delivered. Preliminary construction work is already proceeding, Meyers said. WGNA’s transmitter will be located on the 29th floor of Tribune tower. The antenna structure will be placed atop Tribune tower, rising 505 feet above street level. (Chi Trib, Dec. 11)
ABC’s new television station in Detroit has been assigned the call letters WDLT. A 350-foot transmitting tower already is available in Detroit and will be used for both standard radio and television signals. ABC will use a 5000-watt television transmitter and has two television studios now ready for use in downtown Detroit in the same building where standard radio programs originate. (Hollywood Reporter, Dec. 11)
Thursday, December 12
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 “CBS Television News” with Milo Boulton, sponsored by Gulf.
8:30 All-New York Junior High School Quiz.
9:00 “Judge For Yourself: The Case of the Stolen Velvet.”
9:30 Basketball from Madison Square Garden. Long Island U. vs. Oklahoma A & M, N.Y.U. vs St. Francis, sponsored by Ford.
WNBT Channel 4
7:50 Television Newsreel.
8:00 “Hour Glass,” variety, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea/Chase and Sanborn Coffee.
9:00 “You Are an Artist” with John Gnagy, sponsored by Gulf.
9:10 International newsreel.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 Vera Massey Show.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Cash and Carry,” game show with Dennis James.
Judge for Yourself
Reviewed Thursday (12), 9-9:30 p.m. Style—Jury trial. Sustaining over WCBS-TV, New York.
Steve Marvin, CBS video director, can take a bow for producing a show that was tops from beginning to end. Format was simple. A court case was dramatized, with defendant, plaintiff, prosecuting attorney, defense counsel and jury all being realistically played. Following final pleading of case by lawyers at the end of the trial, the jury members, consisting of three persons selected from the studio audience, stated reasons for their verdict of guilty or not guilty. Then the judge in the program read the actual verdict handed down at the original trial. Member of the jury who came closest to the reasoning of the original verdict received a $25 Victory Bond.
Story in tonight's show concerned a gal, a kleptomaniac, who worked in a department store where she stole bolts of cloth and sold them to a fence. Fence was arrested and tried for receiving stolen goods. Defendant, however, pleaded that altho he knew gal worked in the department store, he had no idea that the cloth he bought was stolen. Logically he was guilty, but technically he was found not guilty.
What made the whodunit tops was the professional quality of the actors, the variety of good camera shots—close-ups, long shots and panned shots. Marvin also worked in some interesting and novel shots which threw the show into high gear. Typical was scene of lawyers arguing. Instead of showing the lawyers together in the scene, Marvin shot each alone and looking into the camera—giving the effect that they were facing each other. Entire production was worked so well that it could have been a remote from the Court of Special Sessions. (Billboard, Dec. 21)
TANIT IKAO, Hindu fakir who features the hypnotism of alligators and reptiles, appeared for Standard Brands on the NBC television show in New York Thursday (12). Arrangements were made by Ted Farden, of the Lawrence Golden office. Miss Ikao, who has been playing RKO theaters, uses a male and two fem assistants. (Billboard, Dec. 21)
Basketball
Reviewed Thursday (12), 9-9:30 p.m. Style—Basketball remote. Sustaining over W6XYZ (Paramount), Hollywood.
To a fan, there could be no better sales pitch on why he should buy a tele set than this pick -up from Pan-Pacific. Home-viewers could follow the game with ease, seeing all shots and following all plays, and at times getting more out of his game via tele than if in the live audience. Thanks to the image orthicon tube, numbers on players' jerseys, baskets, foul lines, etc., could be easily distinguished. Jack Latham's announcing capably filled the bill, weaving in background info on players while calling the shots. Camera work for the most part was to station's credit.
Viewers were annoyed, however, whenever cameras swung from the game to the scoreboard or from one extremity of the court to the other. When swift plays necessitated such violent camera sweeps, they they excusable. But in instances where the second camera could have been previously trained on desired spot (such as scoreboard) and then switched on relying on one camera was hard to take. Viewers' eyes tire when they are dragged back and forth across the court. Shortcomings should be eliminated as the outlet gets more basketball under its belt. (Billboard, Dec. 21)
Friday, December 13
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 “Television Quarterback” with Lou Little, sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
8:15 “Let’s Rhumba”
8:30 “I Love to Eat” with James Beard, sponsored by Borden’s.
8:45 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 “The Magic Carpet” by Bud Gamble, sponsored by Alexander Smith Carpets.
8:15 Western Film: “Lucky Terror” with Hoot Gibson (Diversion, 1936).
9:15 Wrestling from Jamaica Arena.
Saturday, December 14
WCBS-TV Channel 2
7:30 “King’s Party Line” with John Reed King.
8:00 Basketball at Madison Square Garden. St. John’s vs. Loyola, C.C.N.Y. vs. Westminster, sponsored by Ford.
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 Feature film.
9:00 Heisman Award, Downtown Athletic Club.
WABD Channel 5
12:00-2:30 Children’s Christmas Show.
Television departments of ABC, CBS and NBC pulled a clean scoop on the commercial newsreels with on-the-spot coverage of the disastrous Washington Heights tenement fire last Thursday (12). ABC dittoed the following Saturday (14) by showing viewers the first pictures of the Pennsylvania Railroad train wreck in Mansfield, O. on Friday.
Speed with which the tele stations edited their film and got it on the air is good indication, according to video execs, that the medium will offer increasingly stiff competition to newsreels. Competition probably won't be felt too much for the next year but it's something that the reels will have to take into consideration when tele receiving sets become as numerous as the country's motion picture theatres.
Although ABC cameramen were the first on the scene at the tenement fire, getting there at about 4:30 a.m., NBC succeeded in getting its film on the air first, running about five minutes of pictures at 7:50 Thursday night. Taken under the supervision of Paul Alley, the film was carried on a sustaining basis. NBC also took followup shots on Friday, getting them on the air Friday night.
ABC gave the event the widest coverage, shooting at the scene all day and hitting the air (via WABD-DuMont, N.Y.) at 8:30 Thursday night. Bud Pearce directed the ABC cameramen. In a rapid deal, ABC tele chief Paul Mowrey succeeded in getting U. S. Rubber to sponsor the pictures, with the sponsor agreeing to only a mention on the credits. CBS got its pictures on the air at 8:15 p.m. as a sustainer, tieing the film in with a live interview of Thomas J. Hughes, housing consultant of the city's welfare department and in charge of finding homes for the displaced persons.
ABC's films of the train wreck were carried on WABD Saturday afternoon. Web's radio affiliate in Mansfield, WNAM, broadcast a request for film the day of the wreck and succeeded in rounding up several hundred feet, which were rushed to N.Y. by specially-chartered plane. WJZ, the web's N. Y. key radio station, broadcast several plugs that the film would be telecast. (Variety, Dec. 18)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.—Battle of downstairs black-and-white video versus upstairs color television will be resumed here before the Federal Communications Commission sometime after January 6 as a decisive follow-up to this week's hearing on standards, with signs pointing to an answer by the FCC within three or four months.
Commission is believed to be convinced that no further field testing or propagation studies will be needed for an early decish on the issue. (Billboard, Dec. 21)
In explaining why it was reinstating its black and white application, station said, "Chief among the factors which influenced the Journal's reapplication were developments which indicated that black and white television receiving sets will not be made obsolete by color, network advancement in programing and the stepped up production of transmission facilities." (Billboard, Dec. 21)
DWIGHT HEMION and Bob Noack have joined ABC as assistants on production. (Billboard, Dec. 14)
Sunday, December 15
WCBS-TV Channel 2
8:15 News with Tom O’Connor.
8:30 “Shorty,” cartoon show with Syd Hoff, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste.
8:45 “Sports Almanac” with Bob Edge, sponsored by Vitalis.
9:00 Hockey from Madison Square Garden. Rangers vs. Canadiens, sponsored by Ford.
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 Football at the Polo Grounds. N.Y. Giants vs. Chicago Bears.
8:00 “Face to Face,” with cartoonist Bob Dunn, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea.
8:15 “Tele-Varieties,” sponsored by Minit Rub/Trushay.
8:30 Film musical.
8:40 “Let’s Celebrate,” audience participation with Mel Allen, sponsored by Borden.
8:30 “Television Screen Magazine.”
PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY
With Win Elliott, announcer
Director: Herbert Bayard Swope, Jr.
90 Mins.; Sunday (15), 9 p.m.
FORD MOTORS
WCBS-TV-CBS, N. Y.
(J. Walter Thompson)
As the second phase of the CBS-Ford deal for television coverage of sports events from Madison Sq. Garden, N. Y., CBS is now televising weekly pro hockey games from the Garden arena. Besides offering further proof that sports events today still offer the best form of video entertainment, the hockey remotes also demonstrate, just as did basketball pickups, that the CBS crew has sports coverage down pat.
Director Herbert Bayard Swope, Jr., did a top job on the N. Y. Rangers-Montreal Canadiens game last Sunday (15) night. Using two Image Orthicon cameras, Swope brought viewers all the action of the ultra-fast ice game by having his cameramen put their lenses at the right speed to follow the puck but not fast enough to give viewers a squeamish stomach. An excellent bit of camera work was turned in at one point in the game, when Swope cut from the ice to the penalty box to show one of the Rangers returning to the game, and then reverted immediately back to the arena without missing a thing. For best results, Swope concentrated on a medium shot for most of the action, using a closeup only in rare instances.
Nice job of narration was also turned in by Win Elliott, about the only radio-trained announcer who's made the switch to video successfully. Since hockey is so fast Elliott's play-by-play in this case resembled that of a radio announcer, but the system is necessary in order to help viewers follow the action.
Ford filmed commercials, turned out by, the motion picture department of the J. Walter Thompson agency, showed improvement over those recently used, being much more interesting than the previous slides. Stal. (Variety, Dec. 18)
LET'S CELEBRATE
With Mel Allen, emcee; Calgary Bros., guests
Producer: Wes McKee
Director: Ed Sobol
25 Mins.; Sun. (15), 9 p.m.
BORDEN'S
WNBT-NBC, N. Y.
(Young & Rubicam)
If television viewers are going to be subjected to the same type audience participation shows as are radio listeners—and from all previous indications, they are—it's to be hoped that the programs measure up in quality to "Let's Celebrate." Young & Rubicam agency staged the show on a one-shot experimental basis. Whether they'll continue it as a regular series hasn't yet been decided but, since it doesn't seem to have an exorbitant budget, that probably wouldn't be a bad idea.
Show was undoubtedly the most elaborate of its kind ever staged for video. In order to take full advantage of a large-size studio audience, Y&R producer Wes McKee put it on in NBC's radio studio 8G, the web's second largest. Since the studio wasn't equipped with a tele lighting system, this necessitated the use of Image Orthicon cameras. I.O.'s worked well in their first studio assignment but faltered near the end, forcing viewers to tune up the brightness dials on their sets.
Show's format resembled that of "County Fair," Borden's radio program. With announcer Mel Allen handling the emcee chores, various and sundry members of the audience were induced to come up on the stage and let themselves in for the usual kind of inane parlor jokes. In a fitting climax, Allen brought in one blindfolded guy, introduced him to his date for the evening and then removed the blindfold to show him Elsie the Cow in person. After the audience had its laugh, of course, the guy was presented with an attractive young actress for a night at the Diamond Horseshoe.
McKee also pot in a plug for the new RCA video sets by presenting one to a paralysis-ridden Brooklyn boy via a two-way phone conversation. This gave Allen a chance to introduce the Calgary Bros., vaude comic team, who went through their slow-motion boxing paces to the audible ooh's and ah's of the kid. Place of such a sequence on the show will undoubtedly be questioned by some viewers but it went off well.
McKee could have perked up the show by giving viewers a chance to see the participants in their hike from the audience to the stage. As it was, the cameras cut from one scene to another with no apparent reason, NBC director Eddie Sobol handled his cameras competently. Stal. (Variety, Dec. 18)
Monday, December 16
WNBT (NBC) Channel 4
8:00 Film: “The Bad Men of Thunder Gap” with Dave O’Brien (PRC, 1943).
9:00 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley.
9:10 “Voice of Firestone Televues.”
9:20 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing at St. Nicholas Arena. Freddie Russo vs. Willie Beltram, lightweight, ten rounds.
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 Film: “Little Men” with Kay Francis, Jack Oakie and Elsie as Buttercup. (RKO, 1940).
9:00-11:00 Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WBKB Channel 2, Chicago
12:00-3:00 Special Program for RCA Victor TV dealers (studio, film, remote).
7:30 Minor Opinion, Gary Public Schools.
7:45 Short subjects.
8:00 Judy Talbot’s Variety Show Case.
8:15 Short subjects.
8:30 Behind the Headlines.
8:45 Short subjects.
9:00 “Adam vs. Eve,” audience participation.
WRGB Channel 4, Schenectady
7:30 American Indian Lore, Museum of Natural History.
7:50 “Lapland No. 2,” travel film with Mrs. Carveth Wells.
8:00-11:00 NBC programs.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
8:00-11:00 NBC programs.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
8:30 “The Christmas Spirit of 1946,” live, cartoons, film shorts.
Tuesday, December 17
WABD (DuMont) Channel 5
1:00-4:00 Continuous INS news, music, test pattern.
8:00 “Play the Game,” charades with Harvey Zorbaugh, sponsored by Alexander Stores.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
WBKB Channel 2, Chicago
12:00-3:00 Special Program for RCA Victor TV dealers (studio, film, remote).
7:30 “Midwest Tele-Topic Forum” with Howard Williams.
7:45 Short subjects.
8:00 Clay Modeling with Ego Weiner.
8:15 Short subjects.
8:30 “Tommy Bartlett Time,” variety.
7:30 A Dance Program.
7:50 “A Glance at the Headlines,” with Don Patrick.
8:00 “A Date With a Tank” (UK Govt, 1944).
8:15 The Jolly Three.
8:25 Film: “Statue Parade.”
8:40 “Picture Puzzles.”
WTTG Channel 5, Washington
8:00-9:30 DuMont programs.
W6XYZ Channel 4, Hollywood.
8:30 Paramount News (film slides).
8:40 “Your Town—Testing for Better Streets,” forum.
9:00 Basketball at Pan Pacific Auditorium, 20th Century Fox vs. Salt Lake Deserets.
Hollywood, Dec. 17.—A charter will be requested of the state by the now forming Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Decision to form a non-profit organization was reached at the second meeting of the sparking interested parties here, Dec. 11.
The meeting also resulted in the naming of steering, membership, publicity and program committees, and the setting of the next meeting date for Jan. 7. Thereafter it's hoped to meet once monthly. The ATAS will, at least for the time being, remain independent of others and will seek no affiliation with others, including the American Television Society which, incidently, has asked its local rep here to investigate and report on the ATAS.
Attending the second meeting were reps of the motion picture industry, 16 and 35m'ers; educators, prospective video operators, et al. (Variety, Dec. 18)
Hollywood, Dec. 17.—Televising of the high Christmas mass of the Roman Catholic church will be attempted here by Television Productions, Inc.
Arrangements have been completed by Klaus Landsberg, director of Teleprod, with pastorate of the Blessed Sacrament church for the placing of cameras and crews in the church on Xmas day. The event will be aired at noon over Teleprod's station. (Variety, Dec. 18)
GRANT for the 46th U. S. commercial television station was issued by FCC last week to Radio Sales Corp., licensee of KRSC Seattle. Commission spokesmen said six television stations have licenses and 40 construction permits are outstanding. The Seattle grant authorizes use of Channel 5 (76-82 mc) with visual power of 18.95 kw, aural power of 9.79 kw, and antenna height of 408 feet. It was issued Dec. 17. KRSC also has FM grant. (Broadcasting, Dec. 23).
Wednesday, December 18
WNBT (NBC) Channel 4
8:00 Santa Claus at Gimbel’s Store.
8:35 Feature film.
WABD (DuMont) Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 “The Doll Theatre,” children’s variety show at Wanamaker’s Store.
8:30 Film short.
9:00 Dramatic Serial: “Far Away Hill.”
9:30 Boxing at Jamaica Arena. Tommy Houston vs. Rocco Rossano, welterweight, eight rounds.
WBKB Channel 2, Chicago
12:00-3:00 Special Program for RCA Victor TV dealers (studio, film, remote).
7:30 Associated American Artists.
7:45 Short subjects.
8:00 “Marshall Field Theatre” with Don McNeill.
8:30 Hockey at Chicago Stadium, Black Hawks vs. Red Wings, sponsored by General Mills.
WRGB Channel 4, Schenectady
7:30 “On the Job” with Red Levy.
7:50 “Keep Fit Through Wrestling” and “Land of Eternal Science” (film).
8:15 WRGB Hoe-Down Night.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
8:15 ABC Sports. Hockey from Philadelphia Arena, Rockets vs. Springfield Indians.
WTTG Channel 5, Washington
8:00-11:00 DuMont programs.
W6XYZ Channel 4, Hollywood.
8:30 Hockey at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium, Los Angeles Monarchs vs. Oakland Oaks.
Doll Theater
Reviewed Wednesday (18), 8-8:30 p.m. Style—Children's program. Sponsored by Wanamaker's Department Store over WABD (DuMont), New York.
Bob Emery proved again on this show that he's first-rate on children's programs. Story of dolls coming to life featured an assortment of talented kids singing, dancing and reciting, and from the way they worked they apparently were well rehearsed.
Only drawback was that a number of the kids did take-offs on adult entertainers, and kids shimmying or making with the "c'mon up and see me some time" biz did not come off, nor did a kid chorus line doing a take-off on the Folies Bergere register. Emery did, however, work in some good camera shots. Altho stage was small, he trained the kids to keep within camera range. Wanamaker commercials were worked into program only at the opening and closing thru title cards. (Billboard, Dec. 28)
NEW YORK, Jan. 4.—Thru an inadvertent error, a television review in The Billboard's December 28, 1946 issue, erroneously credited Bob Emery as being director of Dolt Theater, sponsored by Wanamaker's on WABD, New York (DuMont).
The producer of the program, which was rated in the review as "first rate," was Eleanor Wells, assisted by Charles Lowe, who directed the dance numbers. Mrs. Wells also is producing Young Americana, to be sponsored by Wanamaker's on WABD, January 15, 8-8:30 p.m. (Billboard, Jan. 14)
Larry Lesueur, former CBS radio war correspondent and now the web's United Nations reporter, has been named to replace Milo Boulton as commentator on the Gulf News show over CBS television on Thursday nights. Boulton has been forced to leave the show because of his heavy radio commitments.
Lesueur takes over tomorrow (Thursday). Show has just been re-pacted by Gulf for another 13 weeks. (Variety, Dec. 18)
DuMont Television Station WTTG in Washington, now completing preparations to go on the air with a complete sports schedule from Uline’s Arena, has announced the signing of Bob Wolff of WINX as sports announcer for their sports programs.The sports coverage, which will include hockey, basketball and other Uline events, is expected to begin in the immediate future.
In addition Wolff will continue his Sports Review and play-play coverage on WINX and WINX-FM. (Washington Post, Dec. 18)
Thursday, December 19
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 “CBS Television News” with Larry Lesueur, guest Herbert Bayard Swope, sponsored by Gulf.
8:30 All-New York Junior High School Quiz.
9:00 Basketball from Madison Square Garden. St. Francis vs. Louisiana State, C.C.N.Y. vs. Bowling Green, sponsored by Ford.
WNBT Channel 4
7:50 Television Newsreel.
8:00 “Hour Glass,” variety, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea/Chase and Sanborn Coffee.
9:00 “You Are an Artist” with John Gnagy, sponsored by Gulf.
9:15 “American Business on Parade.”
9:30 Christmas on Films.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 “Detect and Collect” with Lew Parker, sponsored by Spiedel. (return)
8:30 Video Report to America, ABC program.
9:00 “Cash and Carry,” game show with Dennis James.
WBKB Channel 2, Chicago
12:00-3:00 Special Program for RCA Victor TV dealers (studio, film, remote).
7:30 Over Shoemaker’s Shoulder, cartoon drawing.
7:40 “Winners of the West,” Episode 11.
8:00 “Cavalcade of Medicine,” A.M.A. presentation.
8:15 Short subjects.
8:30 Variety.
WRGB Channel 4, Schenectady
7:30 G.E. Appliance Commercial.
7:35 Christmas Playlet: “Santa’s Whiskers.”
7:50 to sign-off NBC programs.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
7:50-9:00 NBC programs.
9:00-9:30 Sears Visi-Quiz.
WTTG Channel 5, Washington
8:00-9:30 DuMont programs.
W6XYZ Channel 4, Hollywood.
9:00 Basketball from Pan-Pacific Auditorium. Los Angeles Shamrocks vs. Salt Lake Deserets.
Video Reports to America
Reviewed Thursday (19), 8:30-9 p.m. Style—Documentary film. Presented by the American Broadcasting Company in co-operation with the Automobile Manufacturers' Association over WABD (DuMont), New York. ABC and the AMA have come up with a film on the auto industry, which is interesting and informative, making a good program out of a subject which could be—and usually is—dull. Program, first in a series of documentary films to be presented by ABC, presents an over-all picture of the automobile industry with special emphasis on the reasons for the delay in the production of cars and the steps taken by automobile manufacturers to overcome production obstacles.
Program teed off with a bird's-eye view of the auto industry immediately after the war, charts showing what original production plans were and how production fell below planned output. Following scenes showed materials used in car production and how shortages affected production. There were some interesting animated diagrams showing how cars are assembled and how shortages bottle-necked the assembly line.
Harvey Marlowe, ABC's executive video producer, in charge of the film's production, can take credit for doing a top job in not only film editing, but in turning out a well co-ordinated program. Final result showed that the $15,000 or $18,000 involved in costs has not gone to waste. Program was scripted by John Pival, of ABC, and Harry Cushing, of the AMA. John Tillman did an excellent job as narrator. Film was done on 35mm. with sound track added. (Billboard, Dec. 28)
Friday, December 20
WNBT Channel 48:00 “The American Home,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber Co.
8:15 “Let’s Rhumba”
8:30 “I Love to Eat” with James Beard, sponsored by Borden’s.
8:45 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
9:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing from Madison Square Garden. Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Tommy Bell, welterweight title bout, 15 rounds
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 “American Television Society Show: Date With Destiny.”
8:15 Western Film: “Silver Devil” with Hoot Gibson, Stepin Fetchit (Allied Picture, 1931).
9:15 Wrestling from Jamaica Arena.
WBKB Channel 2, Chicago
12:00-3:00 Special Program for RCA Victor TV dealers (studio, film, remote).
7:30 Tele-Chats: The Fair (news).
7:45 Short subjects.
8:00 “Telequizzicalls,” sponsored by Con Ed.
8:30 Boxing Bouts, Rainbo Arena, Lew Jenkins vs. Nick Castiglione.
WRGB Channel 4, Schenectady
7:30 Play: “What Men Live By.”
8:00 “The American Home.”
8:20 “Let’s Rhumba,” from NBC.
8:30 “Susan Christmas Town,” musical.
8:45-11:00 NBC programs.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
4:00 Film: “Sears Matinee For Youth.”
8:00 ABC “Rumpus Room” with Johnny Olsen, audience participation.
9:00 NBC programs.
W6XYZ Channel 4, Hollywood.
8:30 Hockey from the Pan Pacific Auditorium. Hollywood Wolves vs. Oakland Oaks.
Date With Destiny
Reviewed Friday (20), 8-8:30 p.m. Style—Dramatic. Presented by the American Television Society, over WABD (DuMont), New York.
ATS' first video show of the season was a sad but brave attempt. Poor casting, hammy actors, badly built scenery and poor direction all contributed to a complete waste of time. Since the program laboratory's policy is to experiment with various types of programs and techniques, this particular production might be excused on the basis that it's only a very minor experiment.
Ho-hum story concerned a young man who has a premonition that he's going to die. Story unfolds via a series of flashbacks. More interesting than the story or show were the "travel" film shots integrated into the program. Anyway, it was a sad story and the young hero finally wanted to die—and he did. So what?
Program was directed by Jonathon Edwards. Production aids were Ray Gross, Natalie Flatow and Jack Levine. Written by Jack Barefield. (Billboard, Dec. 28)
The Fair, Chicago department store, added a "Christmas Shopping Service" for the five weeks preceding Christmas to its regular weekly "Tele-Chats" newscast over WBKB. Igloo labeled "The Fair Christmas Annex" set the stage, with Pat Murray, the television shopper, sitting on an ice cube (imitation, of course!) at the entrance. Each week televiewers were shown the gifts which Miss Murray selected, and were given an invitation to call or write her at the Fair if they wanted her to do their shopping for them. Audience bait was provided by asking the viewers to write in their gift problem, including an idea of what they'd like for Christmas and why. Gift awards of $25 were presented to the winners on the last show. Tie-in between the "Tele-Chat's" news program and shopping segment was provided by having newscaster Bill Hamilton interview Santa Claus via radio just before Santa left the North Pole in a jet-propelled plane (give us back the reindeers, please!) for the Fair. Camera picked up Santa outside his igloo as he talked with Hamilton. (Television, Jan. 1947)
Washington.—A half-dozen companies won FCC approval to operate television stations in the Los Angeles-Hollywood area last Friday (20) when grants were distributed to NBC, ABC, the Times-Mirror Co., Television Productions, Inc.; Dorothy S. Thackrey, and Earle C. Anthony.
FCC did not act on an application of the Don Lee Network for the seventh available tele channel. FCC officials reported that the commission would not act on that request pending outcome of a January hearing on the renewal licenses of the net's four o. & o. stations. Don Lee is on the hot seat for alleged violation of the chain broadcasting regulations.
A split FCC vote of 4-to-2 was cast on the Anthony grant, with Commissioners Clifford J. Durr and Rosel Hyde voting to defer action until the commission decides whether or not to renew the license o£ his station KFI, Los Angeles. KFI is on the hook because of protests against its firing of six commentators in 1945 and a new policy requiring all commentators to be station employees.
FCC made the grant to Television Productions, Inc., a Paramount Pictures subsidiary, with several reservations. Reference was made to the pending anti-trust suit against Television Productions, General Precision Instrument Co., and Scophony, for alleged attempts to monopolize tele patents. Commission said it saw no reason to deny a grant to Par now on this count, but reserved the right to question its license renewal should the court find Tele Productions guilty of the charges. In any event, the radio act requires FCC to refuse a station license to anyone convicted by a court of attempting to create a monopoly.
No date has yet been set for trial of the Scophony suit. The Justice Dept., it is understood, is trying to decide whether or not to appeal to the Supreme Court against the New York court's finding that it has no jurisdiction over the British correspondent, Scophony, Ltd. (Variety, Dec. 25) Commission gave American Broadcasting Company Channel 7; Earl C. Anthony (KFI) applied for Channel 4, got Channel 9; Los Angeles Times asked for 5 but got Channel 11; National Broadcasting Company requested Channel 5, got 4; Dorothy S. Thackrey (KLAC), also asked for Channel 5, was assigned 13, and Television Productions, Inc. (Paramount) asked for and was granted Channel 5.
Commission postponed action on Don Lee's application pending special hearing to be held here January 14 before Commissioner Rosel H. Hyde. ...
Of the seven applicants for this area only Paramount's W6XYZ, which will take call letters KTLA, and Don Lee's W6XAO are now on the air. None of the remaining five expect to start beaming sight and sound before early 1948 or at best, late 1947. (Billboard, Dec. 28)
Washington.—Rosy plans of Paramount Pictures and the Allen B. DuMont Laboratories, Inc., for a coast-to-coast independent network of television stations were shattered once and for all by FCC last Friday (20).
As predicted by VARIETY a year ago, FCC cracked down on the interlocking ownership of Paramount in the DuMont television Lab's and Interstate Circuit, Inc. of Dallas, Tex., an exhibitor company, in which Par holds 50% interest. FCC told the pic company bluntly it would have to shave down its sizeable holdings in DuMont and Interstate or stand to forfeit some of its pending tele applications and jeopardize others on file from the latter two companies.
Commission made the announcement as it gave Par's Television Productions, Inc., a tele station in Los Angeles. Company already is licensee of WBKB, Chicago, through subsidiary Balaban & Katz. (Variety, Dec. 25)
Saturday, December 21
WCBS-TV Channel 2
7:30 “King’s Party Line” with John Reed King.
8:00 Film.
8:10 Variety Showcase.
8:30 Basketball at Madison Square Garden. Long Island U. vs. Tennessee, St. John’s vs. Kentucky, sponsored by Ford.
WABD Channel 5
12:00-12:30, 1:00-1:30, 2:00-2:30 Children’s Christmas Show.
WBKB Channel 2, Chicago
12:00-3:00 Special Program for RCA Victor TV dealers (studio, film, remote).
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
8:00 Basketball from the U. of Palestra, sponsored by ARCO.
W6XYZ Channel 4, Hollywood.
8:30 Hockey from the Pan Pacific Auditorium. Los Angeles Monarchs vs. Hollywood Wolves, Bill Welch play-by-play.
Programs replaced include Shorty, with cartoonist Syd Hoff, and the Sports Almanac, with commentator Bob Edge. New stint will be for Ipana Toothpaste and Vitalis. Agency is Doherty, Clifford & Shenfield. (Billboard, Dec. 28
NEW YORK, Dec. 21.—American Broadcasting Company on January 7 will begin a Mr. and Mrs. sports program on WABD titled The Ike on Sports, featuring Bill Slater and his wife Marian, formerly a physical educational instructor in New York schools. Packaged by Bob Loewi Productions on a four-week contract with an option to renew for nine more. (Billboard, Dec. 28
Sunday, December 22
WCBS-TV Channel 2
8:15 News with Tom O’Connor.
8:30 “Shorty,” cartoon show with Syd Hoff, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste.
8:45 “Sports Almanac” with Bob Edge, sponsored by Vitalis.
9:00 Hockey from Madison Square Garden. Rangers vs. Toronto, sponsored by Ford.
WNBT Channel 4
2:00 Football at the Polo Grounds. N.Y. Giants vs. Chicago Bears.
8:00 “Face to Face,” with cartoonist Bob Dunn, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea.
8:20 “Tele-Varieties,” sponsored by Minit Rub/Trushay.
8:35 Film of diplomats’ children’s Christmas Party in Washington.
9:00 Television Theatre: The Night Before Christmas.”
9:30 Christmas Carols.
WBKB Channel 2, Chicago
8:30 ABC Hockey from Chicago Stadium, Blackhawks vs. Toronto, Henry Lytton and Son.
WRGB Channel 4, Schenectady
8:00 to sign-off NBC programs.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
2:00-3:30 NBC program.
8:00-8:30 NBC program.
8:40 to sign-off NBC program.
W6XYZ Channel 4, Hollywood.
8:00 “Telefunnies,” comic strips read aloud.
8:10 “Paramount News,” film slides.
8:20 Christmas Shopping at Home.
8:30 “Hits and Bits,” variety hosted by Dick Lane.
9:00 Basketball from the Pan Pacific Auditorium, 20th Century Fox vs. Sacramento Senators.
Monday, December 23
WNBT Channel 4
9:00 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley, relayed to WPTZ.
9:10 “Voice of Firestone Televues,” film of Santa Claus, Indiana.
9:20 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing at St. Nicholas Arena. Chester Rico vs, Jusio Fontaine, lightweight, ten rounds.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 Film: “Beyond Tomorrow” with Charlie Winninger, C. Aubrey Smith, Harry Carey (Academy Productions, 1940).
9:00-11:00 Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
Blessed Are They
(Original Christmas Play)
Reviewed Monday (23), 8:55-9:25p.m. Style—Dramatic. Sustaining overW6XAO (Don Lee), Hollywood.
Radio writer True Boardman's script was a simply told story, appropriate to the Christmas season,dramatizing the faith of a small blind girl who dreams of a visitor who miraculously restores her sight—but only in her dreams. Boardman's skilled direction gave the play just the right amount of shading and interpretation.
Cast, culled from students of AFRA's refresher course, breezed thru roles with ease. It included Hall Ross, Alice Baccus, Stanley Frazer, Don Diamond and Tom McKee. Children's roles were carried with professional finesse by two Boardman kids, True Ann and Penelope. Moppets didn't fluff a cue or miss a line, and gave parts plenty of schmaltz.
Camera switches and pix composition were good, giving viewers the impression that each technician knew his job and did it. Reason for smoothness was the 15 hours of rehearsal allotted to the half-hour seg. Extra working time paid rich dividends.
Jack Stewart supervised production, with Redd Harper holding assistant directorial reigns under Boardman's planning. Ted Driscoll's lighting and four settings were highly effective. Special choral effects were under supervision of David Street. Kyle Thomas handled narration. (Billboard, Jan. 4)
Hollywood, Dec. 23.—NBC locked horns with Paramount's Television Productions and refused to let the firm make a live telecast of the Rose Bowl game, indicating the tack to be taken in future. Teleprod has asked for permission to do the video chore inasmuch as the net had no television outlet here. However, the nix was given by the net, which will carry the broadcast of the game and also make 16m prints to rush East for outlet over the skein's video station there.
NBC has controlled broadcast-television rights to the Bowl game for past 18 years.
With regard to the Tournament of Roses parade, however, three rival outfits will televise the Pasadena blossom strut simultaneously. Teleprod will handle the event as a live show, while Don Lee and NBC each will have films processed for rush job of showing, latter sending film East for outlet in New York. (Variety, Dec. 25)
Washington, Dec. 23.—Over 1,800 television receivers were turned off assembly lines in November, the largest number produced in any month since VJ-Day, the Radio Manufacturers Assn. reported today. November video set production was more than twice that of October, when only 827 sets were reported. (Variety, Dec. 25)
CONGRESS SESSION will be televised first time Friday [27] when 80th Congress convenes, with President Truman slated for first appearance before television cameras when he delivers "State of the Union" address before joint session either Jan. 6 or 7. CBS, Du Mont and NBC pooling to televise opening session of House at 12 noon EST, Jan. 3, for WABD WNBT WCBS-TV N. Y., WPTZ Philadelphia, WTTG Washington.
Two image orthicon cameras in House chamber, two outside Capitol to televise Congressmen on arrival. It will be second telecastpooled from Washington, first Feb. 12, 1946 when AT&T N. Y.-Washington coaxial cable inaugurated with telecast from Lincoln Memorial. (Broadcasting, Dec. 23)
MARSHALL FIELD & Co., Chicago (department store), at the end of this month is to cancel its television show, The Marshall Field Theatre with Don McNeill, telecast Wed. 8-8:30 p. m. on WBKB Chicago. Reportedly costing about $2,500 weekly, the series began Sept. 25 and was scheduled for 26 weeks. Robert Johnson, public relations director of Marshall Field & Co., said last week "We still believe television is a very powerful medium and will probably return to it in the near future." (Broadcasting, Dec. 23)
Tuesday, December 24
WNBT Channel 4
3:00-4:00 Films and Cartoons.
8:00 Play: “According to Joseph.
8:30 Christmas films.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 Continuous INS news, music, test pattern.
8:00 Kiwanis Christmas Party with Johnny Olsen.
8:30 Candlelight Carol Service from Grace Church.
9:00 “Serving Through Science,” sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
WCBS-TV Channel 2
8:00 Christmas Dream, Czechoslovakian film.
8:20 A Cappella Choir.
8:30 “The Desert Shall Rejoice,” Christmas drama with Bob Harris, Miriam Goldina.
9:00 Hockey at Madison Square Garden. Rangers vs. Canadiens, sponsored by Ford.
WNBT Channel 4
8:00 Santa Claus at Gimbel’s Store.
8:30 Feature films.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 “Music for a Christmas Night.”
8:30 Film short.
9:00 “A Goblin Christmas” with Marionettes.
Thursday, December 26
WCBW Channel 2
8:15 “CBS Television News” with Larry Lesueur, sponsored by Gulf.
8:30 All-New York Junior High School Quiz.
9:00 Basketball from Madison Square Garden. Long Island U. vs. Oregon State, N.Y.U. vs. Colorado, sponsored by Ford.
WNBT Channel 4
3:00-4:00 Films, Cartoons.
7:50 Television Newsreel.
8:00 “Hour Glass,” variety, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea/Chase and Sanborn Coffee.
9:00 “You Are an Artist” with John Gnagy, sponsored by Gulf.
9:15 “American Business on Parade.” or international news.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 “Detect and Collect” with Lew Parker, sponsored by Spiedel.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 “Cash and Carry,” game show with Dennis James.
9:30 Boxing from Jamaica Arena. Andy Peppe vs. Bob Isler, middleweight, eight rounds.
America's Town Meeting
Reviewed Thursday (26), 8:30-9:30 p.m. Style—Forum. Presented by the American Broadcasting Company over WRGB (GE), Schenectady, N. Y.
ABC's ace radio forum. with George V. Denny as moderator took to television as a duck to water. It was a smooth example of how some top radio programs can be adapted for television with little or no change in format and net an increase in audience interest. This show was televised at the same time, it was aired over the network. Format was unchanged.
Subject was "Would You Rather Live in a Small Town or a Big City?" and speakers included Charles Jackson, author of The Lost Week-End and The Fall of Valor; Granville Hicks, author of Small Town; Reagan (Tex) McCrary, radio commentator, and his wife, Jinx Falkenburg. Altho the subject itself was not particularly interesting to warrant a good verbal fight, discussion and arguments were handled well enough to create scanner interest. Jinx, in addition to being telegenic, pulled some good punches which gave the show interest and humor.
Denny's ability in guiding the program, along with a good sense of humor, kept the show from sagging and prevented those participating from windy soap-box orations.
Only bad part of show was studio lighting. Altho speaker's dais was well lit, it was difficult to see those in the audience asking questions. Bad lighting has always been one of WRGB's faults and has knocked out many a potentially good production. Camera action was good. Panning of the audience was good and there was enough variety in shots to create good scanning. Tele version of the program was produced by Bobbie Henry (ABC) and directed by Clark Jones of WRGB. (Billboard, Jan. 4)
Friday, December 27WNBT Channel 4
8:00 Campus Sugar Bowl, with Clair Bee, coach of the Long Island U. basketball team, on the current basketball season. Sponsored by U.S. Rubber Co.
8:15 “Let’s Rhumba”
8:30 “I Love to Eat” with James Beard, sponsored by Borden’s.
8:45 “The World in Your Home,” sponsored by RCA.
9:00 Paul Draper and Larry Adler from City Center.
WABD Channel 5
1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 “The Magic Carpet” by Bud Gamble, sponsored by Alexander Smith Carpets.
8:15 Western Film: “Roundup.”
9:15 Wrestling from Jamaica Arena.
Labor union bogey, one of the chief stumbling blocks in television's path, forced cancellation of another video show last Friday (27) night when stagehands at City Center, N. Y., members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, asked for allegedly exorbitant wages in an attempt to set a precedent for tele remotes of stage shows. WNBT (NBC, N. Y.) was reportedly unwilling to kick through with the money and so called off its scheduled telecast of the Paul Draper-Larry Adler concert from the Center.
Following the cancellation of the Graziano-Cowboy Shanks prize fight from Madison Sq. Garden Friday night because of Graziano's illness, WNBT arranged to substitute the Draper-Adler pickup. Stymied at first by the American Federation of Musicians' ban on live musicians for tele shows, since Draper dances to a piano accompaniment, NBC got around this by arranging for Draper to dance during the half-hour the show was to be on the air to the accompaniment of only Adler's harmonica. Latter is excluded from the AFM ban since the union doesn't consider the harmonica a musical instrument.
Late Friday afternoon, however, the IA stagehands advised NBC of its wage demands, which NBC reportedly considered exorbitant. Since the show was to have been the first ever picked up from a professional stage, web officials reportedly figured the precedent would be too high to carry for the future and cancelled the program, shoving in as a second replacement for the original replacement a PRC western.
Previous instances of labor disputes in television have revolved around jurisdictional battles, where IA members have refused to work the same show If NBC's television cameramen, members of the independent National Assn. of Broadcasting Electrical Technicians, appeared on the scene. (Variety, Jan. 1)
Saturday, December 28
WCBS-TV Channel 2
7:30 “King’s Party Line” with John Reed King.
8:00 News Briefs.
8:05 Basketball at Madison Square Garden: St. John’s vs. Utah, sponsored by Ford.
9:15 Basketball at Madison Square Garden: C.C.N.Y. vs. Wyoming, sponsored by Ford.
Sunday, December 29
WCBS-TV Channel 2, New York
8:15 News with Tom O’Connor.
8:30 “Shorty,” cartoon show with Syd Hoff, sponsored by Ipana toothpaste (last show of series).
8:45 “Sports Almanac” with Bob Edge, sponsored by Vitalis (last show of series.
9:00 Hockey from Madison Square Garden. Rangers vs. Boston, sponsored by Ford.
WNBT Channel 4, New York
8:00 “Face to Face,” with cartoonist Bob Dunn, sponsored by Tender Leaf Tea.
8:20 “Tele-Varieties,” sponsored by Minit Rub/Trushay.
8:40 Film short.
8:45 Variety show.
9:15 News program.
WBKB Channel 4, Chicago
3:00 Chicago Television Showcase.
4:00 Junior Jamboree.
8:00 Chicago Photographers, discussion on best press baseball pictures of 1946, featuring Lou Boudreau, Bob Feller, John Rigney, Phil Carravetta, Rogers Hornsby and Herb Simons of Baseball Digest.
8:15 News.
Starting with the New Year today [1], THE TRIBUNE will add television programs to its daily radio listings. Counting both pre-war and new television receivers the total in the Chicago area is now around 1,000 receivers. Some 500 new sets have reached here since Nov. 1. As any television set owner can confirm, this means many thousands of televiewers. (Chi Trib., Jan 1). [Note: the schedule was actually published starting on this date.]
Monday, December 30
WNBT Channel 4, New York
8:00 Feature Film.
9:00 Esso Reporter, newsreel narrated by Paul Alley, relayed to WPTZ.
9:10 “Voice of Firestone Televues.”
9:20 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing at St. Nicholas Arena. Billy Arnold vs. Jerry Fiorello, middleweight, ten rounds.
WABD Channel 5, New York1:00-4:00 INS news wire, music, test pattern.
8:00 Film: “Tom Brown’s School Days” with Cedric Hardwicke, Freddie Bartholomew (RKO, 1940).
9:00-11:00 Amateur Boxing at Jamaica Arena.
WBKB Channel 4, Chicago
3:00 Jane Foster show.
3:30 Chicago Television Showcase.
4:00 Junior Jamboree.
7:30 Animal Crackers.
7:45 Behind the Headlines.
8:00 Civil Air Patrol.
8:15 Today’s World Picture.
BORDEN ENTERTAINS
With Lew Parker, emcee; Golden Gate Quartet, Florence Desmond, Arnaut Bros. Roberto & Alicia
Producer: Wes McKee
Director: Fred Coe
Set: Bob Wade, Ray Kelly
30 Mins.; Sun. (29), 9 p.m.
BORDENS
WNBT-NBC, N. Y.
(Young & Rubicam)
Borden Co., still experimenting with different programming techniques for the 9-9:30 Sunday night slot it's tied up on WNBT (NBC, N. Y.), presented what was probably the most ambitious and costly television variety show to date Sunday (30) night. Bolstered by some of the top talent currently available in N. Y., the show was highly entertaining. Insofar as television is concerned, though, all thoughts of what the medium could have done to add interest seemed to have been forgotten.
As with the first experiment several weeks ago, the show was staged in NBC's studio 8G, second largest in the web's N. Y. headquarters. This gave producer Wes McKee a chance to build a mammoth set under supervision of Bob Wade and Ray Kelly, which resembled something out of the lush atmosphere of Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe. Except for the first entry of two page girls to announce the show, however, all functional use of the set was completely disregarded, and it served for the rest of the show merely as a backdrop.
Director Fred Coe's camera work also left much to be desired. For the most part, he simply trained his cameras on the various acts and let things take their course. With so much apparent space in which to operate, it's difficult to understand why he didn't move the lenses more to add the necessary variety of shots obtainable.
Responsible almost entirely for the entertainment value in the show, consequently, was the talent. Actor Lew Parker made an affable emcee, with his teeoff monolog indicating he might become television's Bob Hope. Golden Gate Quartet, current at the Blue Angel. N. Y, did two spirituals in fine fashion: and the Arnaut Bros, elicited plenty of yaks from the unseen studio audience with their bird-whistle routines. Femme impressionist Florence Desmond was capital, and Roberto and Alicia, current at the Hotel Pierre's Cotillion room, presented a well-staged flamenco dance.
Commercials went off okay as long as they were confined to amusing spots by Parker. Lengthy middle plug, however, presenting what was supposed to be the average American family and its choice of the various Borden's products, was corny to the extreme. Stal. (Variety, Jan. 1)
Chicago, Dec. 30.—Attempt to televise a circus by WBKB last week, which would have made one of the best video shows yet from this outlet, petered out when a relay link between the mobile remote telecasting unit and the station failed to respond.
Some unknown obstruction in Chicago's Loop prompted engineers to erect a relay link atop the Morrison hotel. This figured to erase the obstruction and permit the show's being aired.
WBKB engineers at first were puzzled when the show was unable to be televised as the remote was considered a cinch, since the station televised a golf tournament during the summer from a distance of more than 18 miles. The circus, at the Coliseum, is only about two miles from the outlet. The station has been successful in televising sports events from all over the city.
Capt. Bill Eddy, WBKB topper, attributed the failure to a "cancellation phenomena effect of the ultra high frequency waves," which existed in one of the two relay links. (Variety, Jan. 1)
Hollywood, Dec. 30.—Watch-dogging its 18-year-old lights to Rose Bowl matters, NBC has turned down the DuMont interests' request for permission to film the traditional game, Jan. 1. Refusal was the net's second, having nixed Television Productions, Inc. (Paramount) last week when Teleprod asked to telecast the game live.
Though NBC is not yet telecasting here, having only last week been granted permission by the FCC to build, it won't let anyone else move in on it and cop some prestige. Story goes that the net has for many years sold the Bowl brass and Pacific Coast Conference on its singular ability. Only NBC can do broadcasts or televize well, is the theme they have reportedly sold the Bowl interests. Therefore, it cannot now lessen the glamour by admitting, in effect, that others are equally capable.
DuMont wanted only to film high-lights of the game in the manner of newsreel coverage. The film would have been shipped to New York for airing. However, NBC plans to telecast film of the entire game on its own station there. Telefilms, Inc., was to lens the event for DuMont but will now confine itself to a celluloid chunk of the accompanying Tournament of Roses.
Paramounters were plenty peeved, regarding the network as extremely selfish. (Variety, Jan. 1)
Tuesday, December 31
WCBS-TV Channel 2, New York
8:30 Hockey at Madison Square Garden, Rangers vs. Detroit, sponsored by Ford.
WNBT Channel 4, New York8:00-12:00 Film Features and New Year’s Eve at Times Square.
WABD Channel 5, New York
1:00-4:00 Continuous INS news, music, test pattern.
8:00 ABC variety program.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 New Year’s Eve Celebration from the Stork Club.
WBKB Channel 4, Chicago
3:00 Chicago Television Showcase.
4:00 Junior Jamboree.
Television Workshop will present a comedy stint titled It's All in the Cards on WRGB, Schenectady, New Year's Eve. (Billboard, Jan. 4)
CHICAGO.—WBKB, local video station, is making a determined pitch for remote shows in addition to its studio segs. This week station had lined up Sonja Henie's ice show at the Chi Stadium for four weeks beginning January 1; the midget auto races at the Amphitheater for eight weeks starting January 11, and the International Circus at the Coliseum December 31.
Bill Eddy, prexy of the station, said sponsorship of all three segs were definitely in the offing, with Sonja Henie shots almost inked. Eddy declared it was a question of choosing the sponsors rather than vice versa.
Prexy said difficulty of telecasting the ice show because of its talent being spread over many numbers which occur at the same time would be offset by use of two cameras with telephoto lens, plus an alert production crew. (Billboard, Jan. 4)
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