How Classical Music Came From Television

John Vincent Lawless Hogan’s dream of television turned into a dream of something else.

By April, 1929, two companies had licenses to operate “visual broadcasting stations” in New York City. One was RCA. The other was Mr. Hogan, whose W2XR was licensed at 2000 to 2150 kcs. at 500 watts (see list below). The license had been issued the previous month for a variety of frequencies¹ then assigned from Hogan to his company, Radio Pictures (Inc.), in May². The station changed frequencies several times, then changed locations, moving its transmitter from 140 Nassau Avenue to 3104 Northern Boulevard on Long Island in January 1930 “with understanding that should interference result with other stations, applicant may be required to move to a less congested area”³.

What Hogan did with the station prior to the move is unclear. The Long Island Daily Star picks up developments in its edition of April 4, 1930, referring to another of Hogan’s companies.

A laboratory, where electrical engineers are experimenting with television, has been established on the second floor of the building occupied by the Ford Agency, on Northern boulevard, near Thirty-first street, not far from the Bridge Plaza, Long Island City.
For several weeks television tests have been quietly conducted in this laboratory in connection with the radio.
The laboratory has been established by the Radio Inventions Corporation, at 41 Park Row, Manhattan, of which M. E. Tucker is the head.
Speaking of the Astoria laboratory, Mr. Tucker said that the company was not ready as yet to give out any information.
In the Astoria workshop are numerous radios used for experimental work. So are there motion picture machines and slides and the men making the experiments are working on an invention by which motion pictures may be broadcast over the radio, it was declared.
While Mr. Tucker would give out no statements, one of the workmen said the device was already successful as far as operations were concerned.

Three days later, the Star was reporting Radio Pictures, Inc., had applied for a construction permit for a new station in Long Island City. It was granted by month’s end. The reason for the new station is this one would broadcast sight and sound simultaneously.⁴

The station’s call letters were changed in May W2XAR⁵; apparently this applied to an audio transmitter only.⁶

The New York Sun had an excellent Saturday radio section during the era of Nipkow-disc, mechanical television. In the May 10, 1930 issue, C.H.W. Nason, in an article on television, tells readers a bit about W2XR and what else was available. It also points out a problem which viewers mentioned in QSL reports to the Sun—that if a scanning disc operated at 48 lines, it couldn’t pick up signals from stations operating at 60 lines. And the lack of national standards for electrical current affected reception, too. This one reason the New Jersey station packed up and moved to New York City. The same situation was the reason Canadians could not pick up American television as late as 1947.

At present here in the metropolitan area we have two stations transmitting programs on regular schedule. W2XCR in Jersey City, the Jenkins station, is on the air daily from 3 to 5 and from 8 to 10 P. M. with radio movies in silhouette and half-tone and with "direct pick-up." In the evenings these programs have an audible outlet through W2XCD in Passaic. The latter station is on a wave length of 187 meters and is within the tuning range of most of the modern broadcast receivers.
In Long Island City another station, W2XR, is broadcasting from film on regular schedule. W2XBS of the Radio Corporation is broadcasting experimental material with sixty line scanning. All these stations lie in the band between 100 and 150 meters. [. . .]
When one says a certain system employs a 48-line scanning mechanism this mechanism may be an actual disk such is will be shown later or some mechanical or optical equivalent may be employed for various reasons. The changeover would not necessitate a revision of any of the receiving equipment already in the field. Hogan, for example, recently changed over from a 24 to a 48-line system by merely changing the speed of a driving motor. In this instance those who had been receiving the signals merely changed their 24-hole scanning disk and carried on. The two New York stations are employing 48-line scanning, while the General Electric station at Schenectady employs 60 lines. Should the stations in this neighborhood decide at a later date to change over to the latter figure the only change necessary will be in the scanning disk and in a few mechanical parts as we will bear this eventuality in mind throughout our period of development. [. . .]

The method of scanning shown in Figure 1 is known as "direct pick-up" where the actual scene to be transmitted appears before the camera and is broken up, transmitted electrically and synthesized at the receiving point. At the receiving end the electric impulses are treated in a manner exactly reversed from that described. A scanning disk or its equivalent similar in all respects to that at the transmitter is rotated in synchronism with that at the transmitting point. This means that at every instant the receiving spiral must be in a position identical with that of the transmitter. Where the transmitter and receiver are both operated by synchronous motors fed from the same supply lines this is simple of accomplishment. This situation obtains here in New York for those of us who have A. C. In so far as the Long Island City transmissions are concerned. Those of us residing in Jersey are in the same position as regards the Jenkins signal. Some of us, however, reside in D. C. areas and have not this advantage with regard to either signal. In any case it is necessary to resort to some means of manual or automatic synchronization if both signals are to be received.

W2XR was apparently popular in Rhode Island. QST magazine for September 1930 has this cute note from ham C.N. Kraus (W1BCR): “Television pictures are received at the Radio Club of R.I. clubhouse nightly from W2XCR, W2XCD, W3XX, W2XR, W2XCW, W1XAV, W2XBS and W3XBV. Hams driving through Rhode Island are invited to drop in.

The Sun’s first listing for W2XR wasn’t until the issue of September 26, 1930. This was repeated in subsequent weeks:

M139—W2XR—2160K
Radio Pictures, Inc., an experimental television station located in Long Island City, broadcasts motion pictures and half-tone films daily except Sundays and holidays from 4:30 to 6:30 P. M. and from 7:30 to 10 P. M. The transmitter is synchronized with public lighting service in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Westchester (as far north as Peekskill, Queens and Nassau counties. The usual 48 lines 15 frames per second at 900 r. p. m. are employed.

The Federal Radio Commission reassigned frequencies on December 15, 1930 for the 19 TV stations in existence to prevent interference. W2XR was given between 2850 and 2950 kcs. at 500 watts but was also permitted to operate between 2100 and 2200 between 5 and 7 p.m., subject to shared operations after 10 p.m. and before 2 p.m. by agreement with other stations within 150 miles of W2XR⁷. This included NBC’s W2XBS and GE’s W2XCW in Schenectady.

Editor Hugo Gernsback wrote in the March-April 1931 edition of Television News that W2XR was broadcasting silhouettes. The station didn’t appear in the Herald Tribune’s television listings until March 18, 1931. It was broadcasting 2950 kcs. from 5 to 10 p.m. The listings say “Film subjects” but that’s all. The station expanded its programming; the Herald Tribune of April 3rd reads “4:00-10:00 p. m.—Experimental Hour [on 2920k]. 5:00-7:00—Experimental program of animated cartoons (on 2150k).

We know something about the cartoons the station was showing. Film Daily reported in its May 5, 1931 issue:

A series of 12 animated cartoons exclusively for television broadcast is being made by the John R. McCrory studios. The drawings, which are in silhouette, will be broadcast daily and nightly by station W2XR operated by Radio Inventions of Long Island City. The first six subjects have been completed.

The problem of W2XR not being picked up on sets that could pull in NBC and Jenkins’ W2XCR was partly solved in early April when the station began broadcasting at 48- and 60-line pictures alternating at different hours during the day.⁸ It went completely to 60-line transmissions on May 18.⁹

The station made a technological advance, reported in the Sun, January 2, 1932.

What is probably the first television transmitter to scan 16-millimeter "home movie" film has been placed in commission by engineers of W2XR in Long Island City. This new machine is said to scan either half-tone or black and white views, and to give results entirely comparable with the larger and more complicated film scanners that work with standard 35-millimeter theatre size film. One novel feature of the small machine is that it projects the pictures from the home films up to the same enlarged size that is used for scanning the 35-millineter views. It involves the same optical and electrical principles as the larger scanner end has been developed by engineers of Radio Pictures, Inc., from the basic inventions of Harold P. Donle.
Donle, the inventor of the alkali-metal detector tube, has been concentrating on television for the last three or four years. His inventions have been coordinated with those of John V. L. Hogan as the basis of the letter's television system.
Both of these men claim that the amount of detail transmitted to home televisors from 16-millimeter film is as great as can be transmitted from 35-millimeter film, or even from direct pickups. This, they say, is because the standard 60-line scanning recognizes only about 4,500 theoretical elementary areas in any picture and the small film carries as many as 100 times this number. That means, as Mr. Hogan points out, that it will be necessary to make television detail more than 100 times as good as it is now before everything that is shown on a home movie film can be sent over the air. The standard theater film carries about four or five times as many recognizable picture points and so is more than 100 times ahead of even 120-line scanning which recognizes about 1,600 theoretical picture scanning.
Engineers of W2XR state that the 16-millimeter film is likely to become prominent in the preparation of television programs. They say it is cheaper and easier to handle than the 32-millimeter.

Despite all this, the station simply wasn’t all that entertaining. Philip De John of Flushing told the Sun’s radio column “W2XR comes in good, but this station only shows film.”¹⁰ And M. Miller of Long Island City griped “W2XR comes in good but his pictures are more or less the same every week. Of course they alternate the pictures but it becomes tiresome when on[e] sees the same pictures over and over week in and week out.”¹¹ The schedule for the week beginning Monday, November 21, 1932 read, as it did every week around this time.

5:00—Experimental programs.
7:00—Cartoons.
8:00—Films with sound.
9:00—Cartoons.
(Sight on 179 meters, sound on W2XAR 193 meters).

Viewer K. L. Carlton of New Brighton on Staten Island revealed “On W2XR one sees the swinging pendulum and other moving objects together with the words ‘Radio Pictures, 41 Park Row,’ which are run through occasionally.”¹²

Hogan seems to have preferred film to studio programming; his engineers worked on cutting the shadows from the “flying spot” lights then in use (and soon to become obsolete), but he was quoted as saying the backbone of syndicated television programmes would likely be movies.¹³

The audience annoyance of repetitious programming was taken care of easily, though unsatisfactorily. A couple of viewers wrote the Sun on February 4, 1933, wondering why W2XR had disappeared from their screens. The radio editor replied “W2XR has cut down its time schedule and now is on the air daily except Sundays from 5 to 6 P. M. According to information from its engineers, the station may go on the air outside of its regular schedule period, but no set of fixed hours could be obtained.”

The end was drawing nigh for television in New York. CBS unexpectedly pulled W2XAB off the air later that month, saying there was nothing more to learn from experimental TV. NBC did the same with W2XBS roughly about the beginning of 1934. When the Sun eliminated its TV listings on February 10, 1934, Hogan’s station was the only one outside of Chicago on the schedule. It was broadcasting on 1670 kcs. (179 metres), with pictures from 4 to 6 p.m. and sound from W2XBR on 1550 kcs. from 5 to 6 p.m. The station was off the air weekends and holidays.

Hogan believed there was a future for W2XR—but not at as a television station. The New York Times of April 22 reported on some experimental fax transmissions, but he hit on another, far more successful idea. He realised he had been attracting viewers, not through the repetitious moving pictures and cartoons, but the light classical music that accompanied the non-film shows.¹⁴ He received an experimental high-fidelity radio license and began broadcasting Beethoven, concerts from the Julliard School of Music, and the like, commercial-free, 5 to 7 p.m. weekdays (except holidays). The classical-music-and-opera version of W2XR received an incredible positive reaction.¹⁵ The station switched call letters to WQXR on December 4, 1936¹⁶ to end any confusion that it might not be a regular broadcast station.¹⁷ Radio Pictures still held a television license, W2XDR, and got approval in 1940 to use it for audio purposes¹⁸ but was, as far as viewers were concerned, out of the TV business.

Meanwhile, almost a month earlier on November 6, the Incomparable Hildegarde, the Ink Spots and announcer Betty Goodwin beamed out in a greenish hue from W2XBS, now using electronics instead of a spinning disc. NBC was getting prepared to give television another shot.

---

1 Radio Service Bulletin, U.S. Commerce Department, March 1929^↩
2 Radio Service Bulletin, May 1929^↩
3 United States Daily, Jan. 14, 1930^↩
4 United States Daily, Apr. 29, 1930^↩
5 Radio Service Bulletin, May 1930^↩
6 Heinl Report, June 11, 1931^↩
7 United States Daily, Dec. 9, 1930^↩
8 New York Sun, Apr. 4, 1931, pg. 24^↩
9 Sun, May 16, 1931, pg. 27.^↩
10 Sun, June 11, 1932, pg. 22^↩
11 Sun, Nov. 19, 1932, pg. 23^↩
12 ibid^↩
13 Sun, Dec. 19, 1931, pg. 23^↩
14 The First Television Boom, Joseph H. Udelson, University of Alabama Press, pg. 63^↩
15 Broadcasting, Oct. 1, 1934^↩
16 New York Daily News, Dec. 5, 1936, pg. 30^↩
17 Broadcasting, Dec. 1, 1936, pg. 73^↩
18 Radio Craft, March 1940, pg. 519^↩

October 1947 Part 3

At the end of October 1947, television owners in Baltimore didn't need to tune in to the three stations in Washington, D.C. about 40 miles away. They got their own station when WMAR began broadcasting.

Those set owners had to content themselves with on-location broadcasts and films as the station didn’t have a studio.

Variety brought to light a disgraceful situation near the end of the month, as racists complained to DuMont about a programme where a black man danced with a white woman. Producers, whom I suspect leaked the news, threw the vile letters in the garbage.

WPTZ in Philadelphia aired a paid political broadcast, perhaps not the most desirable of distinctions.

WBKB’s relay system from Chicago to South Bend, Indiana, worked and the station began airing Notre Dame football games. And President Truman appeared live from the Oval Office during a special late-evening broadcast picked up by stations along the coaxial cable and relayed to Schenectady from New York City.

Below are schedules, now including Baltimore. We still don’t have Cincinnati or Detroit, but a couple of sports sponsorship stories from Detroit are included. Television got mentioned in a Blondie comic strip, so it’s included.

Wednesday, October 22
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
7:30 Kraft Television Theatre: The Man Who Changed His Names.
8:30 In the Kelvinator Kitchen, with Alma Kitchell.
8:45 New York Herald Tribune Forum at the Waldorf Astoria.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35 Film shorts.
6:45 Walter Compton, news (from WTTG Washington).
7:00 Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30 to be announced.
8:00 Film shorts.
8:15 Sylvia St. Clair, songs.
8:45 Know Your New York, quiz on famous landmarks in New York with Don Roper, sponsored by Bonded U-Drive-It.
9:00 Feature Film.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
3:00 Chicago Television Showcase.
5:00 Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
7:30 Frank Wood, Private Detective.
8:00 Film, short subjects.
8:10 The Singing Smiths, sponsored by Terman Television Sales.
8:30 Wrestling from Rainbo Arena with Russ Davis.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
1:45 INS Television News.
2:00 Television Matinee, sponsored by Philadelphia Electric.
7:30 INS Television News, sponsored by Superfine Appliances.
7:45 Sports Scrapbook with Stoney McLinn and Bill Campbell.
8:00 Selection motion pictures.
8:30 NBC program.
8:45 Selected motion pictures.
WRGB (all networks) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:30 NBC; 8:30 Coffee with Carters; 8:45 Film short; 9:00 Cutup Capers; 9:20 Film short; 9:30 Man About the House.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington

5:00 Playtime, Junior League show (debut); 7:20 Illustrated News; 7:30 NBC.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
6:35 DuMont; 6:45 Walter Compton, news; 7:00 DuMont; 7:30 Film: Melody Master (aka New Wine), with Ilona Massey and Alan Curtis (UA, 1941).
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:30 a.m. Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
11 a.m. Live: “Queen for a Day” from the Earl Carroll Theater-Restaurant, Hollywood.
11:30 Test Pattern and Martin Block Show (transcribed).
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood

October 1947 Part 2

You could count on one hand the number of regular daytime television shows there were at the start of October 1947 (not including test patterns). Tex and Jinx, followed by a newsreel, appeared on Friday afternoons on NBC. W6XAO in Los Angeles broadcast “Queen For a Day” on weekday mornings.

That was it until WBKB decided to include afternoons in its schedule. The intention was to have someone on the tube to help stores sell TV sets (especially the RCA variety) but what actually happened was a beloved children’s programme signed on. It starred a pair of puppets and their human friend, a Chicago radio actress named Fran Allison. The puppets, as you have guessed, were Kukla and Ollie. The internet says they appeared on TV before the war on the experimental Zenith station but this was their permanent debut. Their show lasted ten years but they appeared on occasion on television much longer than that.

On the topic of children, KLTA adjusted its schedule, moving ventriloquist Judy Dinsdale to the start of its evening programming to accommodate youngsters. And at the other SoCal station, Martin Block of “Make Believe Ballroom” fame began to appear on W6XAO, or at least a transcription of one of his radio shows did, accompanying the late-morning test pattern.

Also in mid-October 1947 The Cincinnati experimental station continued to add programming but was not ready to go commercial just yet.

The usual schedules and reviews are below. We still can’t find anything for WWJ-TV in Detroit. There’s also a nice summary on NBC’s network programming, while CBS was starting to line up affiliates. The Schenectady station began airing “Darts for Dollars,” which strikes me as a funny concept, while one NBC producer showed some live-TV inventiveness with a guest. Oh, and Petrillo was still being a pain with his "no-music-on-TV" nonsense.

By the way, if you click on the photo above-right, check who is endorsing Philco TV sets. He was heard in theatres at the time and later on TV, but never credited on screen. He's known for the words "Here I come to save the day." Roy Halee was the singing voice of Mighty Mouse.

Saturday, October 11
WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
1:45 Football at Baker Field, Columbia vs. Yale, sponsored by Knox Hats, pre-game sponsored by Better Cars.
8:00 Tom O’Connor, news.
8:15 Scrapbook, Senior Edition, with Gil Fates.
8:45 Documentary Film.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
1:45 Football at Yankee Stadium: Army vs. Illinois, sponsored by American Tobacco.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
12:45 INS Television News, sponsored by Wilf Bros.
1:00 NBC.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
1:10 Football at Baltimore: Navy vs. Duke. Don Kellett and Tom Moorehead play-by-play.
8:00 Inquirer Television News.
8:10 Better Sports, with Don Kellett.
8:25 Film featurette.
WRGB (all networks) Channel 4, Schenectady
1:45 Football from NBC.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
1:45 NBC; 4:15 Washington Home Show.
WMAL-TV (ABC/CBS) Channel 7, Washington
8:00 CBS.

KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 News and Views; 3:15 Film short; 3:20 Amadee's cartoon quiz; 3:35 Film short; 3:45 Man On the Street; 4:00 Film, “It’s Wanton Murder,” road safety film narrated by Lowell Thomas (William J. Ganz, 1946)
7:45 Beaumont-Southwest high school football game.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 to 5:00 World Wide News and music.
7:00 “You’ll Be Sorry” with Beryl Wallace, sponsored by Philco.
7:30 “Uncle Phil,” for kids from 6 to 60 with Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:40 Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
8:00 Western Film.
9:30 “Ice Follies of 1948,” on stage and back stage, from Pan Pacific auditorium.

CHICAGO, Oct. 11.–In an attempt to strengthen its afternoon programing and help sell television receivers, WBKB, local B&K video station, will begin airing two new series next week. One series, a co-operative effort of AFRA, the station, and RCA, Philco, GE and Crosley distributors, will be presented Monday thru Friday from 3 to 4 p.m. The other, a high budgeted show sponsored by the RCA-Victor Distributing Company, will be aired Monday thru Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. Altho execs at the station and the agency involved, J. Walter Thompson, would not reveal exactly what the budget on this 13-week series would be, estimates of those connected with the program indicate it could be a package costing as much as $50,000 for the series.
Co-operative series, it has been estimated, will cost about $800 to $900 a week. Low cost will be possible because AFRA members and other talent appearing on the show will work for nix and the station will charge less than its card rate for time. Don Meier and Lorraine Larson will direct this series.
Co-op shows, to be titled Chicago Television Showcase, will each day feature a well-known local AFRA member who will act as emsee of fashion showings, interview well known personalities and conduct man on the street airings. On Tuesdays the 3 to 3:30 p.m. seg will be utilized by the Commonwealth Edison home economics show, Jane Foster Comes To Call.
RCA-Victor series, directed by Lewis Gomavitz and Beulah Zachary, will be titled Junior Jamboree. This series will be aimed at the high school and junior high school audience and will feature Fran Allison, featured comedienne on ABC's Breakfast Club, and Burr Tillstrom and his puppet, Kukla. Interviews with celebrities from sports and entertainment fields, dramatic bits and instructions in hobbies will be included. It is also planned to have the Chicago Board of Education Radio Council co-operate in this series and provide top students of public schools who will make appearances on the series periodically. (Billboard, Oct. 21)

Sunday, October 12
WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
7:30 Children’s Films.
8:00 This Week in Review, news highlights.
8:10 Feature Film.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
2:15 Pro Football at Griffith Stadium: New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins, sponsored by Pabst beer, pre-game by BVD (from WNBW).
8:00 Author Meets the Critics, moderated by John McCafferty, Dr. George Lawton, guest.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 NBC Television Theatre with Ginny Simms and the Little Singers.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
2:00 Pro Football at Yankee Stadium, N.Y. Yankees vs. Brooklyn Dodgers, Bill Slater play-by-play, assistant director Harry Coyle, pre-game sponsored by Lektrolite.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:55 Football at Wrigley Field, Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles, sponsored by Canadian Ace Brewing.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
1:45 INS Television News, sponsored by Wilf Bros.
2:00 Midget Auto Races.
7:45 INS Television News.
8:00 NBC.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
1:30 Sunday Inquirer Comics.
2:00 Catholic High School Football, LaSalle High vs. St. James High. 8:00 Inquirer News Review.
8:30 Let’s Pop the Question.
9:00 Travel Film.
9:10 Religious program.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
8:00 NBC.

WMAL-TV (ABC) Channel 7, Washington
1:30 Meet Me Under the Tree; 1:45 Football at Griffith Stadium, Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants; 4:30 Film Fun.
KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis
8:00 News comment by Dr. Roland G. Usher, "The New Position of the Island of Malta"; 8:15 Film short; 8:25 Songs by Russ Severin; 8:40 Film short; 8:50 Ernie's Miniature Circus; 9:05 Film short; 9:15 News and Views; 9:30 Film short; 9:40 City Art Museum program, Jaquelin Ambler will discuss and illustrate Chinese art.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00-5:00 and 8:00-8:30 World Wide News and music.
[L.A. Times has 1:00 Baseball, though season is over; Pasadena Star-News has 2:00 Dons vs. Buffalo Bills.]
8:30 Cartoon.
8:40 “Shopping at Home” with Keith Hetherington and Harrise Brin, sponsored by the Pep Boys, Schwabacher Frey, Sears Roebuck.
8:55 Cartoonews.
9:00 “Philco Football Scoreboard” with USC coach Dean Cromwell, sponsored by Philco. 9:15 Feature Film: “Shadow of Terror” with Richard Fraser, Grace Albertson, Cy Kendall (PRC, 1945).

Monday, October 13
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
8:00 NBC Television Newsreel.
8:10 Film: Round Trip—The U.S.A. in World Trade.
8:40 Boxing at St. Nicholas Arena, Sandy Saddler vs. Al Pennino.
[Daily News: WNBT will present films of the Columbus Day parade up Fifth Ave. tonight at 9.]
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35 Film shorts.
6:45 Walter Compton, news (from WTTG Washington).
7:00 Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30 Doorway to Fame, with Jackie Bright, sponsored by Bucknell Shirts.
8:00 Film Shorts.
8:15 The Magic Carpet, sponsored by Alexander Smith Carpets.
8:30 The Music Album (from WTTG Washington).
8:45 Swing Into Sports, with Vincent Richards, sponsored by Transmirra Products and DuMont Marine Service.
9:00 Sports Names to Remember, sponsored by Moquin Wine.
9:06 Amateur Boxing from Jamaica Arena with Dennis James, sponsored by Winston Radio and TV. Corp.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
3:00 Chicago Television showcase.
5:00 Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie (debut), sponsored by RCA.
8:30 Wrestling from Midway arena.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
1:15 INS Television News.
1:30 Penna. Week Banquet, with Gov. Duff, Mayor Samuel, Jimmy Stewart.
2:15 Television Matinee, sponsored by Philadelphia Electric.
7:45 INS Television News, sponsored by Superfine Appliances.
8:00 NBC.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
8:00 Inquirer Television News.
8:10 Magic Made Easy, with Tom Osborne.
8:30 Film featurette.
9:00 Temple University Forum: Penna. Week.
9:30 Wrestling, George Becker vs. Vic Holbrook, Skyhigh Lee vs. Tony Martinelli, Abe Coleman and Dutch Schweigart vs. Fred Carone and Michel Leone, Rudy Dusek vs. Fritz Wallich.
WRGB (all networks) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:30 Music for the Moment; 7:40 Children’s Bedtime Story; 7:50 Music; 8:00 NBC to signoff.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
6:35 DuMont; 6:45 Walter Compton, news; 7:00 DuMont; 8:30 The Music Album, with Joby Reynolds; 8:45 DuMont; 9:00 Step ‘n’ Fetch It, audience participation show.
KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 News and Views; 3:15 Film short; 3:25 Stamp collectors program, with George V. J. Godwin, president of the Mound City Stamp Club; 3:50 Man on the Street, Frank Eschen, m.c; 4:20 Film short.
8:00 Tele-Quiz-Calls, with Harry Gibbs and Dottye Bennett, sponsored by Union Electric; 8:30 Film short; 8:40 Sports Closeups, with Harry Caray and Gabby Street, sponsored by Griesedieck Brothers Brewery; 9:00 Film; 9:15 Man on the Street; 9:35 Film; 9:45 News and Views.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:00 a.m. Queen For a Day.
8:00 Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
8:25 Wrestling from the Hollywood Legion Auditorium, Danny McShain vs. Billy Varga (junior heavyweight title), Jan Blears vs. Gorilla Ramos (light heavyweight title), Bob Corby vs. Morris Shapiro, Gene Stanlee vs. Ali Pasha, Jack Terry vs. Ivan Kameroff.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
12:00 to 4:00 Hollywood and Vine.
4:00 Swiss Family Robinson.
5:00 Hollywood Salute.
6:00 “Uncle Phil,” with Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
6:10 Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
6:30 Kiddie Party.
6:45 “Star Views” with Lois Andrews, sponsored by Philco.
7:00 “Looking at Music” with Al Jarvis, sponsored by Philco.
7:30 Beryl Wallace.
8:00 Short subjects.
8:30 Amateur Boxing.
JUNIOR JAMBOREE
With Burr Tillstrom, Fran Allison
Producer: Beulah Zachary
Director: Lewis Gomowitz
60 Mins.; Mon. thru Fri., 5 p.m.
RCA-VICTOR DISTRIBUTING CORP. (J. Walter Thompson)
WBKB, Chicago
"Junior Jamboree," touted as the first 60-minute tele series on a five-day sked, is cued at kids in the 6-16 bracket. RCA-Victor dealers are urging youngsters to visit nabe stores and see the show, idea being that small fry may wheedle mom and pop into buying a receiver. All of which is smart promotion, even though some double-crossing parents may buy another brand.
Kukla, a puppet voiced by Burr Tillstrom, emcees J.J., performing on a stage that simulates screen in RCA receiver. Continuity includes film shorts, animated cartoons, demonstrations of juve hobbies, and interviews by Fran Allison. Mail pull has kids telling why they want a dog, with barker awarded weekly for best letter. Miss Allison also appears with lost dog for possible recognition by kid viewer.
Dialog, ad libbed from an outline, ran smoothly. Miss Allison, known to radio fans as Aunt Fanny of the "Breakfast Club," is a veteran at off-the-cuff repartee, while Tillstrom has been puppet chattering for more than a decade.
Show, which preemed Oct. 13, seems tailor-made for a juve audience, especially with format calling for grid stars and other kid heroes in interview spot. Sponsor might well consider use of dog trademark (His Master's Voice) somewhere in this stanza. Baxt. (Variety, Oct. 22)

Los Angeles — First entertainment motion picture made specifically for television got its initial airing on Paramount’s KTLA, October 13. Film is “North of The Slot,” 16mm quarter-hour short produced by Larry Finley under the firm name of Telestory, in association with John Parsons, Western division merchandising manager of Gough-Philco, which was the sponsor. Film will get general television trade distribution in the East by Philco as first in the series. Tt was made in seven days at a low cost of $1,500, with Parsons writing the script, Dorothy Hoffman, director, and James Healey as associate producer. NBC announcer Talmon Avery docs the narration, and cast includes Jan Hilton, Herb Ellis and Eddy King. Background music is dubbed from accompanying records. (Radio Daily, Oct. 22)

Tuesday, October 14
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35 Film shorts.
6:45 Walter Compton, news (from WTTG Washington).
7:00 Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30 Look Upon a Star, high school amateur talent, sponsored by Comet Candy.
8:00 Western Feature Film, sponsored by Chevrolet.
9:00 College of Style and Swing, sponsored by Jay Jay Junior.
9:15 Boxing at Park Arena, sponsored by Teldisco, pre-match ads by Packard-Bayridge.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago.
3:00 Jane Foster Show, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison.
3:30 Chicago Television Showcase.
5:00 Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
7:30 Behind the Headlines.
7:45 Short subjects.
8:00 Jack Payne.
8:15 Short subjects.
8:30 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia

7:45 INS Television News, sponsored by Superfine Appliances.
8:00 Motion Picture Feature, "The Prisoner of Zenda," starring Ronald Colman (UA, 1937).
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
8:00 Inquirer Television News.
8:10 Film.
8:20 Hockey (from WTTG Washington).
WRGB (all networks) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:30 DuMont; 8:00 On the Job; 8:20 Film Short; 8:35 Dude Ranch; 8:55 Film short; 9:05 Concert Hall; 9:20 DuMont to signoff.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
6:35 DuMont; 6:45 Walter Compton, news; 7:00 DuMont; 8:00 Bob Wolff Sports Clinic, sponsored by Southern Venetian Blind; 8:15 The Visionaires; 8:30 Hockey at Uline Arena, Washington Lions vs. Philadelphia Rockets.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:30 a.m. Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
11:00 Live: “Queen for a Day” from the Earl Carroll Theater-Restaurant, Hollywood.
11:30 Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00-5:00 World Wide News and Music.
7:00 “Star Views” with Lois Andrews, sponsored by Philco.
7:15 Home Economics, with Monica Whelan and Hugh Charles, sponsored by Philco.
7:30 “Uncle Phil” with ventriloquist Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:40 Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
8:00 “Tele-Newsreel,” sponsored by Buchanan and Co. ad agency.
8:10 Short subjects.
9:00 “Ice Follies of 1948,” on stage and back stage from Pan Pacific Auditorium.

Wednesday, October 15
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
7:30 Kraft Television Theatre: Therese.
8:30 In the Kelvinator Kitchen, with Alma Kitchell.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35 Film shorts.
6:45 Walter Compton, news (from WTTG Washington).

7:00 Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30 Play: The Mannequin.
8:00 Film shorts.
8:15 Know Your New York, quiz on famous landmarks in New York with Don Roper, sponsored by Bonded U-Drive-It.
8:30 Film shorts.
8:45 Feature Film: "Spirit of Youth," with Joe Louis, Mantan Moreland, Clarence Muse (Grand National, 1938).
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
3:00 Chicago Television Showcase.
5:00 Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
7:30 Frank Wood, Private Detective.
8:00 Film, short subjects.
8:15 Jack Payne, sponsored by Terman Television Sales.
8:30 Wrestling from Rainbo Arena with Russ Davis.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
1:45 INS Television News.
7:30 INS Television News, sponsored by Superfine Appliances.
7:45 Sports Scrapbook with Stoney McLinn and Bill Campbell.
8:00 Selection motion pictures.
8:30 NBC program.
8:45 Selected motion pictures.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
1:30 Inquirer Book Luncheon.
WRGB (all networks) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:30 NBC; 8:30 Jury of Opinion; 9:00 Film short; 9:15 Farm Spotlight; 9:30 Film short; 9:45 Show Biz.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
7:30 Illustrated News; 7:30 NBC.

WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
6:35 DuMont; 6:45 Walter Compton, news; 7:00 DuMont; 7:30 "Shadow of Terror" starring Richard Fraser (PRC, 1945); 8:45 Unannounced; 9:30 Boxing (DuMont).
[Baltimore Sun’s schedule after 8:45 does not match other paper’s DuMont’s schedules.]
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:30 a.m. Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
11 a.m. Live: “Queen for a Day” from the beautiful Earl Carroll Theater-Restaurant, Hollywood.
[Valley Times has “Film Program.”]
11:30 Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 to 5:00 World Wide News and music.
7:00 “Looking at Music” with Al Jarvis, sponsored by Philco.
7:30 Uncle Phil, with ventriloquist Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:40 Adventure serial, sponsored by Philco.
8:00 “Your Town—Los Angeles Presents.”>br> 8:30 Wrestling at Olympic Auditorium, Manuel Garza vs Hans Schnabel, Larry Moquin and Sammy Menacker vs. Wee Willie Davis and Carl Davis, Vicente Lopez vs. Earl McCready, The Black Panther vs. Alex Kasaboski, Vic Christie vs. Fritz Schnabel, sponsored by Ford.

Cincinnati—W8XCT, Crosley experimental tele station in Cincinnati announces a full schedule for this week of October 11 to 18 including firsts in football, drama and ice shows. First football video in Cincinnati was handled by W8XCT Saturday in televising the game in Nippert Stadium between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the University of Dayton Flyers. The game was aired in its entirety and two cameras were used with the W8XCT mobile unit bus. “Holiday On Ice,” a complete ice show was televised Sunday evening beginning at 8:15 p. m., EST, and lasting to the conclusion of the show. W8XCT’s regular home show Tuesday night was broadcast from the transmitter site atop Carew Tower beginning at 8:30 p. m., EST. On Wednesday evening W8XCT will broadcast a remote from the Cincinnati Art Museum. (Radio Daily, Oct. 15)

Pointing up NBC's increased emphasis on television networking, scanning of the programs now aired by WNBT, the web's N.Y. outlet, reveals the entire 18 1/2 hours' weekly output is fed to at least one other station, with several shows piped to three other stations simultaneously. For NBC, consequently, the long-mentioned video network is an actuality.
Stations already linked to the NBC web include WNBW, owned and operated in Washington: WPTZ, Philco station in Philadelphia, and WRGB, General Electric outlet in Schenectady. In addition, both WWJ-TV (Detroit) and KSD-TV (St. Louis) are nominal affiliates. Lack of networking facilities from N.Y. to the west precludes their receiving anything from NBC except two editions weekly of a filmed newsreel, which is shipped to them by air express.
Because the nework is still in a basic, formative stage, NBC toppers decline to divulge the financing operation on shows fed to affiliates. It's believed, however, that unlike radio, sponsors buy time on the affiliates at the latters' standard rates, instead of paying the entire billing to a network for the net to feed out to the affiliates. With the A.T.&T. still permitting free use of its coaxial cable between N.Y. and Washington, the sponsor of course has no line charges to pay.
Of WNBT's 18 1/2 hours of programming, nine-and-a-half hours represent sponsored time. This is available to both WNBW and WPTZ but not to WRGB, which has not yet received a commercial license. With very little programming of its own, WNBW takes the entire NBC output, except for Monday nights when it's off the air. WPTZ takes nine hours from NBC,, seven hours of which is sponsored. Both stations are fed the shows over the A.T.&T. cable. WRGB, with nine hours of sustaining time available, accepts an average of six hours weekly, which is fed to it over the new GE microwave relay.
Indicative of the sponsored shows fed to affiliate stations are Monday and Friday night boxing, both bankrolled by Gillette; "In the Kelvinator Kitchen" sponsored by Kelvinator; Lou Little's "Campus Hoopla," sponsored by U.S. Rubber, and the Sunday afternoon pro football games, sponsored by Pabst Brewing Co. In addition, WNBW gets the "Kraft Television Theatre" and "Swift Home Service Club" but, under present arrangements, does not pay for them.
Other two N.Y. stations, WABD (DuMont) and WCBS-TV (CBS), also have networks in the making but on a smaller scale. WABD feeds much of its programming to WTTG, owned and operated station in Washington, and also receives several hours of WTTG-originated shows weekly. WCBS-TV gets a feed for its Thursday night newsreel show from WMAI-TV [sic] (Washington Evening Star) and also airings of three college football games during the season. (Billboard, Oct. 15

Thursday, October 16

WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
8:00 Douglas Edwards, news, sponsored by Gulf Oil.
8:20 To the Queen’s Taste, cooking program from the Cordon Bleu Restaurant, with Mrs. Dione Lucas.
8:50 Film: "I'm from Arkansas," with Slim Summerville, El Brendel and Iris Adrian (PRC, 1944). [Newsday has after Doug Edwards: 8:20 Co-Ed Congress, student forum from the High School of Commerce; 8:50 Shadow of Terror, mystery film on the atomic bomb].
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
7:50 NBC Television News.
8:00 The Seven Lively Arts Quiz, with Bill Slater, sponsored by Jell-O.
8:30 Musical Merry-Go-Round, with Jack Kilty.
8:50 Film: Downtown Quarterback.
9:00 You Are an Artist, with John Gnagy, sponsored by Gulf.
9:10 Trotting Races, Roosevelt Raceway, Westbury, Long Island.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35 Film shorts.
6:45 Walter Compton, news (from WTTG Washington).
7:00 Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery, sponsored by Jay Day Dress Co.
7:30 Birthday Party, with Grace Gioe.
8:00 Film shorts.
8:15 Highway to the Stars, dramatic serial.
8:45 Film shorts.
8:55 Sports Names to Remember, sponsored by Moquin Wine.
9:00 Wrestling at Park Arena, with Dennis James, sponsored by Teldisco.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
3:00 Chicago Television Showcase.
5:00 Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
7:00 Streamliner Parade, sponsored by the Union Pacific and Chicago-Northwestern Railroads.
7:20 You Should Ride a Hobby Horse, with Russ Davis, sponsored by The Fair and Arbee Foods.
7:30 Film shorts.
7:45 Date with the Duchess.
8:00 Film shorts.
8:15 Milt Hopwood’s Sports Show.
WPTZ (NBC) Channel 3, Philadelphia
2:30 INS Television News, sponsored by Wilf Bros.
2:45 Football, Dobbins Vocational School vs. Bok Vocational School.
7:15 INS Television News, sponsored by Superfine Appliances.
7:30 Pleased To Meet You, with Roy Neal.
7:50 NBC.
8:00 Mac McGuire’s Supper Club.
8:30 NBC program.
WFIL Channel 6, Philadelphia
3:30 Ice Clinic.
8:00 Inquirer Television News.
8:10 Mr. Fixit, sponsored by Bartel’s.
8:25 Film.
8:35 Starlet Stairway, with Jack Steck.
9:00 Ice Capades.
WRGB (all networks) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:30 Picture Puzzles; 8:00 CBS to signoff?
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
2:00 Test Pattern, 8:00 Capital Citizen; 8:45 Film Feature.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
6:15 Test Pattern; 6:35 DuMont; 6:45 Walter Compton, news; 7:00 DuMont.
KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 News and Views; 3:15 NBC Newsreel of the Veiled Prophets parade and ball; 3:25 Community Chest program with Mayor Kaufmann and Campaign Chairman W. M. McDonnell; 3:35 Feature film, Melvyn Douglas and Peggy Cummins in "The Red Feather"; 3:45 Man on the Street; 4:15 Film short.
8:00 NBC newsreel; 8:10 Fashion show; 8:30 NBC Newsreel (repeat); 8:40 News and Views; 8:55 Feature film: “Minstrel Man” with Benny Fields and Gladys George (PRC, 1944).
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:30 a.m. Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
11 a.m. Live: “Queen for a Day” from the Earl Carroll Theater-Restaurant, Hollywood.
[Valley Times has “Film Program.”]
11:30 Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 to 5:00 World Wide News and music.
7:00 “Star Views” with Lois Andrews, sponsored by Philco.
7:15 Tele-Beauty. sponsored by Philco.
7:30 “Uncle Phil” for kids from 6 to 60, with Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:40 Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
8:00 Meet the Dons, sponsored by Philco.
8:15 Victor McLaughlin’s Light Horse Troupe from the Horse Palace.
Date With the Duchess
Reviewed Thursday (16), 7:45-8 p.m. Celebrity interview show presented sustaining via WBKB, Chicago.
Despite a valiant attempt by Virginia Marmaduke, reporter for The Chicago Sun, to give this show some life and interest by trying to bring out humorous facts concerning her guest, Bill Sinais, owner of famed Billy Goat Tavern on West Madison Street, this program fell flat. Interview shows, unless they have a very unusual format, are among the worse program fare for television. And since this show had little that was unusual it was little more than a radio program done infront of a video camera. Miss Marmaduke, one of the top Sun reporters, is personable enough and undoubtedly could present a good show if she had the proper support and instructions from the station's production staff new to television. She at times tried too hard and turned on the personality charm too much for this, her first show in a new series.
Show opened with simulated newspaper office setting with Miss Marmaduke seated at a typewriter. After introductory remarks that were far from brilliant, scene switched to replica of Billy Goat restaurant where interview with owner took place and Bill exhibited his beer-drinking boat. Sinais's efforts were about only section of program that really was video, visual stuff. Some day someone in this city is going to put on a good television interview program. When he or she does, it will have plenty of action and a minimum of conversation, and will be done without the mistakes in sloppy camera work and indifferent direction and production of tonight's show. Cy Wagner. (Billboard, Oct. 25)

Friday, October 17
WCBS-TV (CBS), Channel 2, New York City
8:20 Football at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Buffalo Bills, Mel Allen play-by-play.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
1:00 Swift Home Service Club with Tex and Jinx. Guests: Nancy Walker, K.T. Stevens, Nina Foch.
1:30 NBC Television Newsreel.
8:00 Campus Hoopla, with Bob Stanton and coach Lou Little, sponsored by U.S. Rubber.
8:20 The World in Your Home, sponsored by RCA Victor.
8:42 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports, Boxing at St. Nicholas Arena, Danny Bartfield vs, Paddy DeMarco.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35 Film shorts.
6:45 Walter Compton, news (from WTTG Washington).
7:00 Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30 Amateur Show.
8:00 Film shorts.
8:15 Fashion Fair, hosted by Florence Pritchett (aka Barbara Welles on WOR radio) sponsored by Russeks and associated manufacturers (debut).
8:45 Film shorts.
8:55 Wrestling at Jamaica Arena, with Dennis James, sponsored by American Shops.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
7:30 Minor Opinions.
7:45 Short subjects.
8:00 “Telechats,” sponsored by The Fair.
8.15 Short subjects.
8:30 Barn Dance.
9:00 Boxing from Madison Athletic Club, sponsored by Keeley Brewing.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
3:45 INS Television News.
4:40 Children’s Matinee, Cinderella Ballet, Clyde Beatty serial, Western.
7:30 INS Television News, sponsored by Superfine Appliances.
7:45 Kiddies Cartoon.
8:00 NBC program.
8:20 “Handy Man” with Jack Creamer, sponsored by Gimbels.
8:45 NBC.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
8:00 Inquirer Television News.
8:10 Film.
8:20 Football at Owl Stadium, Temple Owls vs. Muhlenberg Mules.
WRGB (all networks) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:30 Your Fur Coat; 8:00 NBC; 8:20 In Mon Martre; 8:40 NBC to signoff.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
1:00 NBC; 7:20 Illustrated News; 7:45 Let’s Learn to Dance, sponsored by George's Radio & Television Stores; 8:00 NBC; 10:45 The School of Sports.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
6:30 DuMont; 6:45 Walter Compton, news; 7:00 NBC; 7:30 Elder Michaux and the “Happy I Am” Choir; 8:00 Film Shorts; 8:15 Football at College Park: U. of Maryland vs. Richmond U., Bob Wolff play-by-play.
WMAL-TV (ABC) Channel 7, Washington
8:00 Film shorts.
8:15 Football at Griffith Stadium: Georgetown Hoyas vs. St. Louis, Jim Gibbons and Tommy Dolan play-by-play.
KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 News and Views; 3:15 Film; 3:25 Preview of American Spaniel dog show; 3:35 Film; 3:45 Man on the Street; 4:00 Film.
7:45 High School Football at the Stadium, Soldan vs. McKinley, sponsored by Philco.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles

10:30 a.m. Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
11 a.m. Live: “Queen for a Day” from the beautiful Earl Carroll Theater-Restaurant, Hollywood.
[Valley Times has “Film Program.”]
11:30 and 8:00 Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
8:25 Boxing at the American Legion Stadium, Hollywood, Gene Felton vs. Tommy Garland (heavyweight, ten rounds), Johnny Meyers vs. Bob Ferris (six rounds), four other bouts.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 to 5:00 World Wide News and music.
7:00 “Looking at Music” with Al Jarvis, sponsored by Philco.
7:30 “Uncle Phil,” with ventriloquist Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:40 Adventure serial, sponsored by Philco.
8:00 Tele-Newsreel, sponsored by Buchanan Co.
8:15 Football at Gilmore Stadium, Loyola Lions vs. Redlands Bulldogs.
TELEVISION FASHION FAIR
With Florence Pritchett, emcee; Conover girls
Producer-director: Raymond E. Nelson
Writer: Ruth Oboler
30 Mins.; Friday (17). 8:15 p.m.
RUSSEKS FIFTH AVENUE (Furman, Feiner & Co.)
WABD-DuMont, N. Y.
Fashion industry, which has steered clear of practically all radio advertising on the assumption that there's no ad punch in mere oral description of clothes, is figured eventually to become one of television's biggest bankrollers, for obvious reasons. Several leading fashion outfits have already experimented with various forms of tele programming, but "Television Fashion Fair" was the first one to be sponsored entirely by a leading N. Y. retail store—in this instance, Russeks Fifth Avenue.
Show was the most ambitious produced on WABD in recent months, involving six different sets, a string of beauteous Conover models and some intricate film integration. Fact that it wasn't a standout job was due mainly to stumbling production and direction by indie package producer Ray Nelson. Cues were missed almost invariably, leaving one model standing before the cameras after emcee Florence Pritchett hag already finished describing her clothes; Miss Pritchett in several instances stood with mouth agape waiting for a cue to start talking, and the camera stayed too long on credit cards, Russeks plugs, etc.
Despite its ostentatious quality, the show probably didn't cost too much. Sets were for the most part mere painted backdrops. Format had Miss Pritchett digging into an oversized clothing box, painted with a large Russeks tag, apparently to see what she could come up with next. Illusion tried for, of having the models inside the box, never quite came off because, again, of Nelson's inept handling of his lenses.
Miss Pritchett, radio commentator on WOR (Mutual, N. Y.) under the name of Barbara Welles, didn't make out too we'l in her first tele assignment. Her voice was dull and monotonous and her constant reference to notes for her spiel was definitely n.s.g. Models, of course, were beauts, but much of their appeal was lost for the simple reason that nobody thought of telling them to smile once in a while. Show may become a series but it definitely needs considerable brushing up. Stal. (Variety, Oct. 29)

MINOR OPINIONS
With Moderator George Menard, Bobby Burns, Jerry Forrester, Diane Hollander, Judy Steiner, Edwin Ross, Patty Meeler, Tony Eikenbary, Phyllis Cohn
Producer-Director: Pauline Bobrov
[Aired Friday, 17, 7:30 p.m.]
Sustaining
WBKB, Chicago
"Minor Opinions" is an indicator of how popular such radio shows as "Quiz Kids" and "Juvenile Jury", will be as tele fare. The brow wrinkling, head scratching and other gyrations of moppets pondering posers is surefire. Basic appeal, beyond refreshing personalities, is that adult vanity is tickled by kids' cute air of uninformed innocence.
"Minor Opinions" is produced in cooperation with the public schools of Gary. Ind., one of the few systems that skeds current events forums for all grades. Teachers evidently laydown a single line rather than a divergence of views, which makes the youngsters sound as if they've all been reading the same book. Show is ad libbed and unrehearsed, but parroting is pronounced and on the session caught (24) there wasn't one sharp clash of opinion.
Straight classroom setting is used. with moderator seated at desk and blackboard in background. Questions are on general topics, ranging from U. S. foreign policy to the use of dry ice in rain making. Kids respond freely but their nervousness, as shown in finger pulling and clothes plucking, tends to distract.
Session currently runs 15 minutes, which is too short for panel of eight. Expansion to a half hour on a regular weekly schedule will do much to bring this one along. Baxt. (Variety, Oct. 29)

Saturday, October 18
WCBS-TV (CBS) Channel 2, New York
2:35 Parade of Sports: Rodeo from Madison Square Garden, with Win Elliot and John Henry Faulk, sponsored by Ford.
8:00 Tom O’Connor, news.
8:20 Feature Film: "The Kid Sister" with Roger Pryor, Judy Clark (PRC, 1945).
WNBT (NBC) Channel 4, New York
1:45 Football at Franklin Field, Philadelphia: Columbia Lions vs. U. of Pennsylvania Quakers, Bob Stanton with Jim Stevenson, sponsored by American Tobacco.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:45 College Football at Dyche Stadium, Northwestern Wildcats vs. Michigan Wolverines, sponsored by Lucky Strike.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
1:30 INS Television News, sponsored by Wilf Bros.
1:45 NBC.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
1:45 WMAL programming. 8:00 Inquirer Television News.
8:10 Better Sports, with Don Kellett.
8:25 Film featurette.
WRGB (all networks) Channel 4, Schenectady
1:00 Football from NBC.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
1:45 Football from NBC.
WMAL-TV (ABC/CBS) Channel 7, Washington
1:45 College Football at Washington, George Washington Colonials vs. Wake Forest Deacons; 8:00 CBS.
KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 News and Views; 3:15 Film; 3:25 Children's variety show and Russ Severin; 3:50 Film.
8:00 Football at Walsh Stadium, University of St. Louis vs Drake University, Ellis Veech play-by-play, sponsored by Hyde Park beer.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00 to 5:00 World Wide News and music.
7:00 “You’ll Be Sorry” with Beryl Wallace, sponsored by Philco.
7:30 “Uncle Phil,” for kids from 6 to 60 with Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:40 Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
8:00 “The Philco Football Score-board” with Dean Cromwell.
8:30 “Ice Follies of 1948” from the Pan Pacific auditorium.
Ice Follies of 1948
Reviewed Saturday (18), 8:30-11:15 p.m. Style—Skating show; remote pick-up from Pan-Pacific Auditorium. Sustained over KTLA (Paramount), Hollywood.
Paramount again comes thru with a bell-ringer. This scanning ranks with the finest to ever hit the local glass screens, and is one which is sure to help the dealers peddle sets.
KTLA here has followed a policy similar to that used during last year's run of Ice Capades. Station brought its equipment down to the arena opening night for interviews with the first-nighter celebs plus tele peaks backstage. In the weeks that followed, outlet returned to the Pan-Pacific, stressing backstage interviews with the blade company personnel and picking up only one or two production numbers from out front. Logic behind this is to plug the ice show, but not killany possible attendance by shooting the whole works the first time. Then, when the house is sold out for the closing night and there isno danger of hurting the b. o., the station brings its cameras out on the ice for a scanning of the complete show.
Telecast was particularly outstanding in its flawless camera work. Lensers never lost their subjects and were even successful in keeping them in the center of the screen.This was matched by expert cutting from the control room where knobs were twisted just at the right instant to cut from one camera to another in a manner that gave the home viewer a complete sweepofthe performing area. As the final, exacting touch that rounded out this seg's looking and listening pleasure, recorded music was dubbed in with a skilled hand which miraculously kept the waxed tunes in complete synch with the performing bladesters. As a matter of fact, the music heard on tele was superior to that heard by the Ice Follies ringsiders, as echo in the Pan-Pacific tends to distort the efforts of the live ork.
For sheer skill and excellence of technical procedure, KTLA deserves long and loud applause for this offering. Lee Zhito. (Billboard, Nov. 1)

James C. Petrillo and his American Federation of Musicians finally cracked down on the authorized, albeit unintentional, use of live music on television shows.
Complaining that too much of the band music came through the CBS tele mike during the web's first two airings of the rodeo at Madison Sq. Garden, N. Y„ the AFM attempted to throw a clamper on all subsequent rodeo broadcasts. As a result, CBS moved commentator John Faulk out of the Garden and back to the CBS studios for the rodeo pickup Saturday (18) afternoon.
Working with a monitor set up before him showing him the picture that was being transmitted over the air, Faulk was enabled to give his usual interesting and amusing commentary. Fact that the studio operation necessarily eliminated all audience noise detracted from the interest of the show but, in this case, it couldn't be helped. (Variety, Oct. 22)

NEW YORK, Oct. 18.—Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), which sharply curtailed its video activity after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) nix of the web's bid for color television, is now going ahead rapidly with plans for a black and white video network. Leonard Hole, director of the television plans division, has been assigned to blueprint the web, whose outlines are now taking shape.
Already set for the CBS web are the following stations: KCAU [sic], The Evening Bulletin station in Philadelphia; WMAR, The Baltimore Sun outlet in Baltimore, and WMAL-TV, The Washington Star station in Washington. It is likely that the network eventually will include WDRC, Hartford, Conn., which is filing for a construction permit.In addition, Columbia's owned-and-operated Chicago station, WBBM, has an application before the FCC.
As for starting dates, the situation is beginning to shape up. Columbia believes it will begin working with WCAU early next year and with WMAR, Baltimore, within 30 to 60 days. Transmitter for the latter has already been delivered. Some programs have already been exchanged with the Washington station. Seaboard First
General plans include initial expansion up and down the Eastern Seaboard, with coast-to-coast operation to follow later, according to CBS execs. For the first half of 1948 the video network operation will be concerned primarily with New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. As for programing plans, execs are mulling plans to make New York the mother station for feeding the web. Another theory, however, favors making certainstations the main feed for certain programing types. For instance, Washington might be used as the news programing center, with New York playing a similar role in sports programing, and Philadelphia and other stations feeding whatever isavailable as web material.
As facilities become available, new stations Will be added to the Eastern Seaboard web, according to a CBS spokesman, who added that the coast-to-coast hook-up will be dependent on such factors as development of micro waves, policies of AT&T, etc.
Four-Net Set-Up
Columbia's step in the video web picture means that there are now four companies, three of them radio, one purely television, actively working on TV networks. NBC has been shaping its network for some time; ABC, even tho it is not yet on the air, has five permits already granted and is pushing construction; DuMont has its own two stations on the air, a permit for Pittsburgh, an application in, Cleveland and feeding arrangements with several others, set or pending. (Paul Ackerman, Billboard, Oct. 25)

Milwaukee's WTMJ-TV reports signing first sponsor even before formal opening Dec. 3—T. Shuster's dept. store, 52 live shows, Wednesdays 8-8:30 p.m.; also first time signals—Bulova.(Television Digest and FM Reports, Oct. 18).

Sunday, October 19
WCBS-TV (CBS) Channel 2, New York
7:00 Scrapbook Junior Edition, children’s participation show.
8:00 The Week in Review, news highlights.
8:10 U.N Film: Permanent Headquarters of the United Nations.
8:20 Film: Children in Trouble, film on juvenile delinquency narrated by Westbrook Van Voorhis (March of Time, 1947).
8:30 Film: Fighting Sea Monsters, narrated by Ted Webber (Astor, 1943).
9:20 Secretary of State George C. Marshall speaking at the Freedom House Awards Dinner, Hotel Commodore.
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
2:15 Pro Football at the Polo Grounds: New York Giants vs. Boston, sponsored by Pabst beer, pre-game by BVD.
8:00 Author Meets the Critics, moderated by John McCafferty, columnist Robert S. Allen, guest.
8:30 Film shorts.
9:00 NBC Television Theatre: Musical Miniatures with John Carradine, Harmonaires.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
1:55 Football at Wrigley Field, Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions, sponsored by Canadian Ace Brewing.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
1:45 INS Television News, sponsored by Wilf Bros.
1:50 NBC.
7:45 INS Television News.
8:00 NBC.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
1:30 Sunday Inquirer Comics.
1:45 College Football: Villanova vs. Detroit.
8:00 Inquirer News Review.
8:30 Let’s Pop the Question.
9:00 Travel Film.
9:10 Religious program.
WNBW (NBC) Channel 4, Washington
2:00 Football, Baltimore Colts vs. Los Angeles Dons; 8:00 NBC.
KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis
8:00 Special events program from the St. Louis Week exposition in the Kiel Auditorium.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00-5:00 and 8:00-8:30 World Wide News and music.
[L.A. Times has 1:00 Baseball, though season is over; Pasadena Star-News has 2:00 Dons vs. Buffalo Bills.]
8:30 Cartoon.
8:40 “Shopping at Home” with Keith Hetherington and Harrise Brin, sponsored by the Pep Boys, Schwabacher Frey, Sears Roebuck.
8:55 Cartoonews.
9:00 “Philco Football Scoreboard” with USC coach Dean Cromwell, sponsored by Philco.
9:15 Feature Film: “Shadow of Terror” with Richard Fraser, Grace Albertson, Cy Kendall (PRC, 1945).
[This film also aired the previous Sunday].
NBC producer Ernie Colling made an invisible man out of Col. Robert S. Allen on "Author Meets the Critics" over WNBT Sunday (19) night. Allen, scheduled to appear on the show to discuss His bestselling "Lucky Forward," cancelled out at the last minute through inability to make the trip from Washington.
Allen consented, however, to take aural part in the show from D.C. Colling, consequently, set up an empty chair in the studio with a copy of the book propped up on a table before it. Allen's voice was piped in and everytime he spoke, Colling cut over to the empty chair. Fact that the line connection was a two-way affair permitted Allen to break into the conversation at any time and also answer questions, just as though he'd actually been sitting in the chair. (Variety, Oct. 22)

LET'S POP THE QUESTION
With George Cahan, Jane Overington
Producer: Ted Estabrook
30 Mins.; Sun., 8:30 p.m.
RGA-VICTOR-BARTELLS
WFIL-TV, Phila.
This visual quiz stacks up as an excellent video program, with plenty of interest throughout and with a format that makes tor high entertainment values.
Show makes visual use of pictures and objects, in manner similar to George Cahan, emcee, poses the questions, which are neither too highbrow nor too lowbrow, and then picks a telephone number from list of names sent in to the studio.
This random approach makes for interesting listening. Right answers mean best-selling books to the brightees. Helping matters along is Jane Overington, referred to as "Janie" on the program, who injects comedy by playing dumbdora role while pictures and objects are being placed before camera.
Guests appear at the half-time, and effort is made to obtain name personalities. Tony Pastor appeared on show while here recently, and Alladin, singer with Cugat's band now at the Click nitery, was on when show caught Sunday (19).
Show previously used gimmick of asking listeners lo phone in, but wires were so crowded this was found not feasible. Telephone officials clocked 1,268 calls to studio in half-hour on one show previously. Shal. (Variety, Oct. 29)

Monday, October 20
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
8:00 NBC Television Newsreel.
8:15 New York Herald Tribune Forum, Waldorf Astoria.
9:50 Gillette’s Cavalcade of Sports: Boxing at St. Nicholas Arena, Charlie Zivic vs. Vinnie Rossano.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35 Film shorts.
6:45 Walter Compton, news (from WTTG Washington).
7:00 Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30 Doorway to Fame, with Jackie Bright, sponsored by Bucknell Shirts.
8:00 Film shorts.
8:15 The Navy Show.

8:30 Film shorts.
8:45 Swing Into Sports, with Vincent Richards, sponsored by Transmirra Products and DuMont Marine Service.
9:00 Sports Names to Remember, sponsored by Moquin Wine.
9:06 Amateur Boxing from Jamaica Arena with Dennis James, sponsored by Winston Radio and TV. Corp.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago
3:00 Chicago Television showcase.
5:00 Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie (debut), sponsored by RCA.
8:30 Wrestling from Midway arena.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
1:45 INS Television News.
2:15 Television Matinee, sponsored by Philadelphia Electric.
7:45 INS Television News, sponsored by Superfine Appliances.
8:00 NBC.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
8:00 Inquirer Television News.
8:10 Magic Made Easy, with Tom Osborne.
8:30 Film featurette.
9:00 Temple University Forum: Americanism.
9:30 Wrestling, Bobby Managoff vs. Don Evans.
WRGB (all networks) Channel 4, Schenectady
7:30 Darts for Dollars; 8:00 NBC to signoff.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
6:35 DuMont; 6:45 Walter Compton, news; 7:00 DuMont; 8:30 The Music Album, with Joby Reynolds; 8:45 DuMont; 9:00 Step ‘n’ Fetch It, audience participation show; 9:30 DuMont.
[Evening Sun has 8:15 Impersonalities for DuMont and Boxing at 9:30.]
KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis
3:00 News and Views; 3:15 Film; 3:25 American Theater interview; 3:40 Film; 3:50 Herbert S. Houston, speaking on the National Foreign Trade Convention; 4.00 Film; 4:10 Man on the Street, Frank Eschen, m.c.
8:00 “Tele-Quizi-Calls,” with Dottye Bennett and Harry Gibbs, sponsored by Union Electric; 8:30 Film; 8:45 Boatmen’s Bank Centennial interview, Tom K. Smith; 9:15 Film; 9:25 Lindenwood College television in education show; 9:40 Film; 9:50 News and Views.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
11:00 Queen for a Day.
8:00 Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
8:25 Wrestling at the Hollywood Legion Auditorium, Danny McShain and Angelo Savoldi vs. Bill Varga and Maurice LaChapelle, George Temple vs. Bob Corby, King Kong Kashey vs. Pete Meheringer and Dude Click vs. Chester Hayes.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
7:00 “Uncle Phil,” with Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:10 Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
7:30 “Looking at Music” with Al Jarvis, sponsored by Philco.
8:00 Circus Animals.
8:15 Golf Pros.
8:30 Amateur Boxing from South Gate Arena.

Tuesday, October 21
WNBT (NBC), Channel 4, New York City
2:30 and 8:00 New York Herald Tribune Forum, Waldorf Astoria.
WABD (DuMont), Channel 5, New York City
6:35 Film shorts.
6:45 Walter Compton, news (from WTTG Washington).
7:00 Small Fry Club, with Bob Emery.
7:30 Look Upon a Star, high school amateur talent, sponsored by Comet Candy.
8:00 Western Feature Film: "Danger Trails" with Guinn Williams (Normandy Pictures, 1935), sponsored by Chevrolet.
9:00 College of Style and Swing, sponsored by Jay Jay Junior.
9:15 Boxing at Park Arena, sponsored by Teldisco, pre-match ads by Packard-Bayridge.
WBKB Channel 5, Chicago.
3:00 Jane Foster Show, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison, sponsored by Commonwealth Edison.
3:30 Chicago Television Showcase.
5:00 Junior Jamboree, with Kukla, Fran and Ollie, sponsored by RCA.
7:30 Behind the Headlines.
7:45 Short subjects.
8:00 Jack Payne.
8:15 Short subjects.
8:30 Beethoven’s Sonata.
WPTZ Channel 3, Philadelphia
7:45 INS Television News, sponsored by Superfine Appliances.
8:00 Documentary Motion Picture.
8:15 Our Constitutional Bill of Rights, with former Justice Owen J. Roberts, Lower Merion High School.
WFIL-TV Channel 6, Philadelphia
8:00 Inquirer Television News.
8:10 Inquirer Fashion Festival.
9:00 Film.
WTTG (DuMont) Channel 5, Washington
6:35 DuMont; 6:45 Walter Compton, news; 7:00 DuMont; 8:00 Bob Wolff Sports Clinic, sponsored by Southern Venetian Blind; 8:15 The Visionaires; 8:30 Hockey at Uline Arena, Washington Lions vs. New Haven.
WMAL-TV (ABC/CBS) Channel 7, Washington
8:00 Sports Shorts.
8:15 Pro Football at Griffith Stadium, Washington Red Skins vs. Green Bay Packers, sponsored by Amoco.
10:00 Television Film Fun.
KSD-TV Channel 5, St. Louis
8:00 AHL Hockey at the Arena, St. Louis Flyers vs. Philadelphia Rockets.
W6XAO Channel 2, Los Angeles
10:30 a.m. Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
11:00 Live: “Queen for a Day” from the Earl Carroll Theater-Restaurant, Hollywood.
11:30 Test Pattern and Incidental Music.
KTLA Channel 5, Hollywood
3:00-5:00 World Wide News and Music.
7:00 “Uncle Phil” with ventriloquist Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters, sponsored by Philco.
7:10 Adventure Serial, sponsored by Philco.
7:30 Home Economics, with Monica Whelan and Hugh Charles, sponsored by Philco.

7:45 “Star Views” with Lois Andrews, sponsored by Philco.
8:00 “Tele-Newsreel,” sponsored by Buchanan and Co. ad agency.
8:10 Circus People.
8:30 Western Feature: “Frontier Scout” with George Houston, Fuzzy St. John, Beth Marion (Fine Arts, 1938).

New phase in the development of television film programming, currently retarded by the ban on top Hollywood productions, is introduced with the announcement yesterday [21] of major foreign language features by Gainsborough Associates. A newly-formed package production outfit, Gainsborough has obtained exclusive video rights to several top foreign productions distributed by Lopert Films, Inc.
Such foreign Films as “Shoe Shine,” “Cage of Nightingales,” “Mayerling” and others will be available to television broadcasters shortly after first run engagements. “Shoe Shine” is currently in a first-run schedule at a mid-town theater.
All films secured by Gainsborough will be rented to television stations, and made available for commercial sponsorship, it was said. Move is expected to have wide effect in tele programming since major Hollywood productions are banned on video with the exception of shorts, documentaries and out-dated features.
Films to be released will be of recent date to capitalize on advertising, critical acclaim, publicity and promotion concurrent with all new releases.
Gainsborough execs point out that foreign language will prove no barrier to a quality foreign picture and further, will help to build greater public acceptance of this type of film. Principals of the new firm are: Jack D. Gaines, production director; Nathan M. Rudich, program manager; and Mike Jablons, public relations director. (Radio Daily, Oct. 22)