Radio Highlights and Headlines: 1946

Major Events of Year as Chronicled in BROADCASTING

Jan. 1. Year opened with a controversy raging over shifting of FM higher band. Zenith Radio Corp. challenges Norton findings on basis of which FM was moved upstairs. FCC orders public hearing Jan. 18.

Jan. 4. President Justin Miller of NAB tells board of directors at meeting in Los Angeles he will follow board's mandate to seek conference with AFM President James Caesar Petrillo. Instruction was to renew efforts "to eliminate at earliest possible moment confusion now existing . . . in connection with the use of union musicians on American radio stations and networks."

Jan. 9. At first 1946 board meeting of CBS, William S. Paley, president since 1928, elected chairman of the board; Paul W. Kesten, who was executive vice president and operating head of CBS throughout war, elected vice chairman; Frank Stanton, vice president and general manager named president.

Jan. 11. Philip G. Loucks inducted as president of Federal Communications Commission Bar Association.

Jan. 15. Justin Miller, appearing at first district meetings in new capacity as NAB president, seeks support of broadcasters in fighting inroads by FCC and AFM.

Jan. 16. William Benton, former partner of Benton & Bowles, Assistant Secretary of State in charge of public affairs, protests action of UP & AP in withdrawing services from international broadcasting stations under State Department supervision.

Jan. 18. After four days of testimony clear channel hearings are recessed until April 15; regional broadcasters and farm organizations urge breakdown of clears; Department of Agriculture recommends FCC require broadcasters to provide adequate and suitable time for farm programs.

Jan. 18. FCC opens FM hearings on petition of Zenith Radio Corp. to include 42-50 mc band for frequency modulation in addition to high band.

Jan. 23. U. S. Court of Appeals for District of Columbia reverses FCC in WOKO Albany renewal denial holding Commission acted arbitrarily. Case taken by FCC to Supreme Court.

Jan. 24. FCC denies Zenith petition to allocate 42-50 mc band to FM in addition to the 88-108 band.

Jan. 24. Radio's weekly payroll up 19% in year according to report released by FCC.

Jan. 25. Lt. Col. John Hibbett DeWitt, Jr, former chief engineer of WSM Nashville, shoots the moon with radar and wins nationwide acclaim.

Jan. 28. Commissioner E. K. Jett of FCC named to head C. S. delegation at North American Regional Broadcast Engineering Conference scheduled for Feb. 4 in Washington.

Jan. 28. Lea Bill to curb Petrillo reported favorably to House after removal of objectionable phases in penal clause.

Jan. 31. House Rules Committee votes overwhelmingly to report out Lea Bill.

Feb. 4. General Mills earmarks $5,000,000 for radio in 1946 - half of its advertising budget.

Feb. 4. Fifty delegates from 8 countries gather in Washington for opening of North American Regional Broadcast Engineering Conference. (NARBA).

Feb. 4. CBS initiates first in series of color television demonstrations, employing film and transmitting from Chrysler Building to network headquarters over distance of half mile.

Feb. 7. Niles Trammell, NBC president, announces executive promotions effective April 1: Harry C. Kopf, vice president of NBC Central Division to New York to succeed Roy C. Witmer as vice president in charge of sales; latter becomes staff vice president; I. E. "Chick" Showerman, eastern sales manager, to Chicago as Central Division manager.

Feb. 11. BROADCASTING Yearbook index shows net time sales for 1945 are $310,450,000 - gain of 7.3% over previous year.

Feb. 12. First New York-Washington coaxial cable television broadcast made under sponsorship of NBC.

Feb. 15. Frequency war threatened as second North American Regional Broadcast Engineering Conference in Washington reaches deadlock seeking to resolve Cuba's demands for use of 12 Class A-1 clear channels and increase power on eight regionals.

Feb. 15. Paul A. Porter announces his resignation as chairman of FCC and his appointment to the OPA administratorship, Charles R. Denny named acting chairman of the FCC.

Feb. 18. FCC announces it will soon undertake inquiry into possible violations of rule limiting time option from affiliates for network programs.

Feb. 21. House of Representatives votes 222-43 in passing Lea Bill (HR-5117).

Feb. 23. Westinghouse stratovision tests live up to promises.

Feb. 25. NAB's "How Much For How Many?" report, demonstrating that radio can take an advertising message to the public at less cost than magazines or newspapers, is analyzed.

Feb. 25. President Truman deaf to pressures from Capitol Hill - principally from Senator Wheeler (D-Mont.) - that vacancy left by Paul A. Porter, confirmed as OPA Administrator, be filled at FCC.

Feb. 25. Commercial television shifts to new allocation.

March 1. NBC announces gross income for 1945 totaled $61,270,570.00 up, 7.5% over 1944 gross - only corporation of RCA to announce a gain.

March 1. Donald Flamm, former owner of WMCA, wins $350,000 verdict against Edward J. Noble, now ABC board chairman, in New York Supreme Court. Mr. Flamm had sued for $2,925,000 charging he was forced to sell WMCA in 1940 to Mr. Noble.

March 4. NARBA signatory nations negotiate three-year Interim Agreement.

March 4. Subscription for BMB's 1946 survey of station and network audiences reach total of $1,096,180.

March 4. Strikes beset GE and Westinghouse.

March 6. Governor William H. Wills, member of the FCC, dies of heart attack, Bryant Hotel, Brockton, Mass., 1:00 a. m. He had been member of FCC since July 22, 1945.

March 7. FCC issues 139-page programming report entitled "Public Service Responsibility for Broadcast Licensees" - soon nicknamed the Blue Book. Justin Miller, NAB president, condemns report as invasion of freedom of speech.

March 8. Senator Wallace H. White, Jr., minority leader, urged to take post as chairman of FCC.

March 9. Annual duPont awards go to KDKA Pittsburgh, WNAX Yankton and to Lowell Thomas, NBC commentator-reporter.

March 9. FCC departing from traditional method of deciding hearing cases, proposes to assign three of four available television channels in Washington to Evening Star Broadcasting Company (WMAL), Bamberger Broadcasting Company (WOR) and NBC, deferring determination of fourth applicant until conclusion of oral arguments.

March 13. First hearings on FM applications for facilities in Washington, considered precedent setting in field, held. Eleven applicants submit qualifications for 11 available frequencies.

March 15. NAB submits brief to FCC proposing new regulations providing auction (AVCO) plan for station transfers.

March 15. Walter Lemmon, head of World Wide Broadcasting Corp., licensee of WRUL Boston and four sister stations, demands State Department return his stations forthwith or permit him to use portion of time.

March 16. A. A. Schechter and Esterly C. Page named vice presidents of Mutual.

March 18. Prominent members of Congress reviewing Blue Book say freedom of air is at stake.

March 18. George Foster Peabody Awards announced - to KFWB Hollywood, KOMA Oklahoma City, WOV New York, WHAS Louisville, CBS and special citation to KRNT Des Moines.

March 18. Study by National Opinion Research Center, U. of Denver, conducted in cooperation with the NAB preparatory to full text report, announces three out of five listeners prefer radio programs with advertising, 84% prefer to do without movies rather than without radio.

March 21. Airborne television demonstrated at Anacostia Naval Air Base, Washington. Method had been developed by RCA in cooperation with Armed Forces during the war. Brig. Gen. David Sarnoff called system "monumental progress in widening television's scope of service."

March 21. Rosel H. Hyde, FCC general counsel, nominated by President Truman to fill Commission vacancy left by death of Governor Wills. Confirmed on April 12.

March 22. Revocation of license of KOB Albuquerque demanded by New Mexico Governor John J. Dempsey in petition to FCC. First action of kind in Commission annals.

March 25. U. S. radio through four networks and individual coverage by scattering of independent stations observes opening of United Nations.

March 25. New network - United States Network Inc. - organized under laws of Delaware with authorized capital of one million shares at $1.00 each. Planned as hookup of local outlets. Venture failed to develop.

March 25. Unprecedented number of dismissals of television applications (15) indicates success of CBS campaign in behalf of ultra high frequency color video and wariness of applicants in view of high cost of new medium.

March 28. Civilian Production Administration clamps new ceilings on construction of radio stations. Building structure cost must be under $1,000.

April 1. ABC adopts policy proposed by Vice President Charles E. Rynd providing rescheduling of coast-to-coast shows in the weekday periods by an elaborate system of recording and rebroadcasting, keeping program times the same locally.

April 1. Rep. B. Carroll Reece of Tennessee, newly elected chairman of Republican National Committee, hits out at FCC for "interference in freedom."

April 4. Recommendations that Cooperative Analysis of Broadcasting drop rating service and reorganize as standard-setting body submitted to CAB board of governors, New York.

April 5. Final approval of Lea-Vandenberg bill (S-63) blocked in Senate in eleventh-hour lobby by American Federation of Radio Artists. Bill subsequently approved.

April 8. FCC proposed decision would deny unanimously sale of WINS New York, by Hearst Radio Inc. to Crosley Corp., largely on ground that $400,000 trade time arrangement in $1,700,000 plus deal for 10-year period was violation by FCC law and regulation (transfer approved later after objectionable matter removed).

April 8. Free & Peters demonstrates that spot radio, if it reaches only 2% of primary circulation delivered by nation's stations, still cheaper per impression than black and white magazine ad or a 650-line newspaper ad.

April 8. Sarnoff proposes UN broadcasting plan.

April 8. "Radio's Second Chance" by Charles A. Siepmann, who was co-author of Blue Book while employed temporarily at FCC, issued by Little, Brown & Co.

April 12. Finch Telecommunications and Radio Invention Inc. unveil new facsimile models for press and FCC.

April 15. FCC, replying to recommendations of Senate Small Business Committee, enunciates policy limiting one FM station to each applicant - new "one to a customer" policy.

April 16. President Truman signs Lea Bill.

April 17. Benedict P. Cottone, senior assistant general counsel of the FCC, elevated to acting general counsel.

April 18. Robert W. Brown, INS executive news editor, protests FCC definition of local versus wire news program in petition to Commission calling for amendment to Blue Book.

April 19. FCC announces its policy "one to a customer" misunderstood - that it was adopting merely a procedural policy affecting the order in which FM applications are to be processed.

April 19. Ultra high frequency color television (CBS) successfully transmitted over 450-mile coaxial cable length from New York to Washington and back.

April 22. James C. Petrillo through general counsel of AFL, Joseph A. Padway, also Petrillo attorney, announces he will test Lea Act constitutionality in court.

April 22. Winners of 5 plaques, 18 certificates and awards of merit to stations for service in radio by New York City College of Business announced.

April 25. ABC announces it will offer substantial amount of its stock to the public and to affiliated stations to provide financing for both immediate and long range expansion.

April 26. Associated Press holding annual meeting in New York votes 173 to 14 to invite broadcasters to join as associate members, breaking long standing precedent.

April 29. Radio gets associate status from AP.

April 29. Walter S. Lemmon president of WRUL Boston and four other International shortwave outlets owned by World Wide Broadcasting Corp., wins fight to obtain return of Stations to private Operation.

May 1. Sixteenth Annual Institute for Education by Radio, sponsored by the Ohio State U., Columbus, Ohio, devotes almost all of sessions to discussion of Blue Book,

May 2. Edward J. Noble, board chairman ABC, announces purchase of King-Trendle Broadcasting Corp. (WXYZ DetroIt, WOOD Grand Rapids & Michigan Radio Network) for $3,650,000. Approved by FCC on July 18.

May 9. President Truman meeting with NAB Board of directors, reaffirms earlier statement [BROADCASTING, July 9, 1945] that radio should be maintained free as the press.

May 9. George Wellington Smith, vice president of Fort Industry Co. and managing director of WWVA Wheeling, dies.

May 10. Leo J. Fitzpatrick, vice president and general manager of WJR Detroit for 20 years and former president of NAB, resigns.

May 13. In precedent-setting decision FCC decides first station transfer case involving competitive bidder: granting application of Royal Miller estate to assign license of KROY Sacramento to Harmco Inc. for $150,000.

May 20. U. S. Bureau of the Census announces that radio homes increased 17.9% between 1940 and 1945.

May 20. CBS, NBC and ABC in partial network reports show that 15,000 war aid hours were donated during course of conflict; advertisers gave 45% of time used to promote war effort.

May 20. Raymond Swing, ABC commentator, Tom Slater, MBS director of special events and Max Jordan, NBC foreign correspondent, win Headliner Awards for outstanding radio news achievements.

May 27. Comr. Durr advocates "editorial page" for radio.

May 27. In letter to AFM president James C. Petrillo, NAB president Justin Miller calls upon labor union to "quit stalling and live up to promise to negotiate with broadcasters."

May 27. "The Hucksters" by Frederic Wakeman, Rinehart & Co. publishers, hits book stalls - becomes best-seller and creates sensation in advertising circles.

May 27. Stratovision, airborne transmission plan for television and FM, under development by Westinghouse and Glenn L. Martin Co. gets first cross-country workout in flights along the east coast and flights between Baltimore end Detroit.

May 28. James C. Petrillo "pulls the plug" on WAAF Chicago - thus clearing way for court test of Lea Act.

May 28. FCC in proposed amendments to the FCC Rules and Regulations and Standards of Good Engineering Practice concerning FM broadcasting propose to simplify classifications of FM commercial stations with authorization of power of 1 kw for community FM.

May 31. LIBERTY Magazine notifies ABC that it is cancelling its program of comment by Fiorella H. LaGuardia.

May 31. Charles Luckman elevated to presidency of Lever Brothers, one of nation's largest radio advertisers.

June 3. FCC proposes denial of $950,000 sale of KQW San Francisco by Brunton Brothers to CBS, Commissioners Jett and Wakefield dissenting.

June 3. BMB reports 95.2% urban radio families.

June 6. James C. Petrillo, addressing his union in assembly at St. Petersburg, announces he will strike against all radio by Feb. 1947 if Lea Act is declared constitutional by Supreme Court.

June 7. Westinghouse and Glenn L. Martin Co. announce first tests cross-country of stratovision successful. Plans made for night tests.

June 7. Benedict P. Cottone, acting general counsel of FCC named general counsel.

June 14. Major Edward Bowes, famed for his amateur hour, dies in Rumson, New Jersey at 72.

June 15. James D. Shouse, vice president in charge of broadcasting, Crosley Corp., Cincinnati (WLW) warns small town publishers to investigate carefully before investing any money in FM-speech before National Editorial Assn. meetings in Estes Park, Coin.

June 17. James C. Petrillo placed under $1,000 bond on charges of violating Lea Act.

June 18. Temporary suspension of the 17-year old Cooperative Analysis of Broadcasting program rating service, effective July 31, announced.

June 22. Television takes greatest stride with presentation to audience estimated as high as 100,000 of Joe Louis-Billy Conn heavyweight championship match. Program sponsored by Gillette Safety Razor Co.

June 24. FCC revamps policy governing clear channel daytime and limited time stations on class 1-A clear channels.

June 24. Adoption of proposed rules and engineering standards governing FM broadcasting (proposed May 24) announced by FCC.

June 27. Edward Petry & Co., station representatives announces completion of study measuring audience remembrance of commercials.

June 30. Radio delivers first report of Bikini test to American listening audience; television employed on the scene at Bikini Atoll.

July 1. Politz devises method for studying impact of radio commercials.

July 3. Clear Channel Broadcasting Service blasts at Census Bureau report on listening, presenting in evidence recordings of clear channel signals compared with regional signals.

July 5. William F. Brooks, NBC director of news and international relations, elected vice president.

July 8. Administrative procedure before the FCC and other government agencies, particularly with reference to hearings before examiners, to be radically altered under terms of Administrative Procedure Act (public law 404).

July 8. "Not so good" is report of public on Bikini broadcast - with Navy getting blame for snafuing show.

July 11. Brig. Gen. Ken R. Dyke elected to vice presidency of NBC.

July 15. Proposals for FM band expansion in hearings on proposed one year reservation of every 5th FM B channel not accepted as evidence by FCC which rules that such proposals be made only through Docket 6651 (allocations).

July 18. FCC approves transfer of WINS New York from Hearst Radio Inc. to Crosley Corp.; James D. Shouse heretofore vice president In charge of broadcasting for Crosley named president.

July 22. FCC reserves every fifth FM channel.

July 22. In momentous decision, FCC denies petition of Robert Harold Scott, atheist, for revocation of licenses of three San Francisco stations (KQW KPO KFRC) but declares "freedom of religious belief necessarily carries with it freedom to disbelieve."

July 26. Senator Charles W. Tobey (R-N. H.) introduces resolution proposing Interstate Commerce Committee conduct a probe into FCC going into FM allocations.

Aug. 1. Russia asks U. S., United Kingdom, France, China to participate in five-power telecommunications conference in Moscow scheduled for August 28.

Aug. 1. Census shows 76.2% of farms have radio sets. Figures based on data gathered in 1945 study.

Aug. 1. Jacob Rosenberg, president AFM Local 802, New York City, dies in New York's Polyclinic Hospital.

Aug. 2. FCC sets new "daily business" record announcing grants to 20 new AM outlets.

Aug. 8. NAB Board meeting in Estes Park, Colorado, authorizes establishment of machinery looking toward more stringent self-regulation by broadening the range of NAB activity.

Aug. 9. Procedure outlined by FCC providing for consideration of some clear channel applications with mutually exclusive non-clear channel requests without awaiting decision on breakdown of clears.

Aug. 10. Paul W. Kesten resigns as vice chairman of the board and director of CBS because of ill health; retained as consultant to network.

Aug. 14. Leo J. Fitzpatrick, former vice president and general manager of WJR Detroit, joins I. R. (Ike) Lounsberry, former executive vice president of WGR and WKBW Buffalo, in bid to purchase WGR for $750,000.

Aug. 19. Bing Crosby signs for transcription series via ABC.

Aug. 20. Day, Duke and Tarleton, Inc. new advertising agency formed by veterans of J. Walter Thompson Co., Foote, Cone & Belding, Lennen & Mitchell and William Esty & Co. in New York.

Aug. 23. FCC says it will undertake no advisory opinion on legality of "Pot O' Gold" or any other significant program with give-away characteristics.

Aug. 23. George B. Storer, president of Fort Industry Co., purchases WJBK Detroit from John F. Hopkins. Inc. for $550,000 - record local station figure.

Aug. 23. Thirty per cent scale rise discussed as AFRA holds national convention in Hollywood.

Aug. 26. BROADCASTING's mid-summer business survey indicates rise In radio revenue after seasonal dip.

Aug. 26. Radio watches James Cain American Authors' Authority Plan.

Sept. 4. Earl Gammons, director of CBS Washington office and Howard S. Meighan, CBS director of station administration in New York, advanced to vice presidencies.

Sept. 13. Fifth network, projected as full service and live talent programming operation with plans for 3000 affiliates, launched in San Francisco with the name of North American Broadcasting Service Inc.

Sept. 13. George Washington Hill, president of American Tobacco Co., dies.

Sept. 16. Radio Directors' Guild gets AFL charter.

Sept. 17. Pearson and Alien. former colleagues in Washington Merry-Go-Round column file for facilities of Hearst Radio's WBAL Baltimore.

Sept. 20. FCC cites six for programs on license renewals under Blue Book.

Sept. 20. U. S. names delegates for Five-Power Preliminary Telecommunications Conference, Sept. 28 in Moscow; invitations for World Telecommunications Conference "near Washington, D. C." in spring of 1947 presented to Berne Bureau by U. S.

Sept. 20. Fetzer Broadcasting Co.. Grand Rapids (WJEF), losing participant in Supreme Court - Ashbacker decision, wins FCC proposed decision for local on 1230 kc at Grand Rapids.

Sept. 26. Crosley Broadcasting Corp. (WLW Cincinnati, WINS New York) obtains option for control of KSTP St. Paul-Minneapolis, NBC outlet, for $1,200,000.

Sept. 27. CBS petitions FCC to adopt standards for color television.

Sept. 27. 1000 mark in AM station licenses passed.

Sept. 27. BMB hoard of directors meeting in New York unanimously adopts resolution calling for second station study in 1948.

Sept. 30. Westinghouse stations remain on air manned by supervisory personnel as NABET strike continues.

Sept. 30. Federal Government charges Petrillo with breaking Lea Act, Sherman Anti-Trust Act, Norris-LaGuardia Act and Clayton Act in calling strike against WAAF Chicago.

Oct. 10. Television Broadcasters Assn. opens second annual conference in New York.

Oct. 11. Nationwide video network by 1951 seen by L. O. Woodford, general manager, long lines department, AT&T, in speech before TBA.

Oct. 11. "The People Look At Radio," NAB-sponsored study of audience reaction issued by North Carolina Press.

Oct. 11. TBA awards go to Paul Belanger, Paul Ralbourn, Klaus Landsberg and John Royal.

Oct. 11. Clear Channel Broadcasting Service petitions FCC to reconsider policy permitting assignment of daytime stations on clears.

Oct. 17. FCC approves sale of WCAU Philadelphia to Philadelphia Record for gross figure of $6,000,000.

Oct. 20. Revolutionary plan for realignment of clear channel stations announced by Clear Channel Broadcasting Service.

Oct. 21. NAB 24th annual convention opens in Chicago; freedom of radio is issue.

Oct. 21. Petrillo demands wage hikes up to 566% from transcription manufacturers; gives them 24 hours notice to comply.

Oct. 21. BROADCASTING announces inauguration Nov. 4 of new survey to he conducted by Audience Surveys Inc., New York.

Oct. 21. Clocktime broadcasting urged in article by William B. Lewis.

Oct. 21. Frederick R. Gamble, AAAA president, asks support for 2% discount.

Oct. 21. FCC Acting Chairman Charles R. Denny says Blue Book to remain "unbleached."

Oct. 21. William S. Paley, CBS chairman, urges stronger NAB program standards.

Oct. 22. New FM organization temporarily called FM Committee (destined to become FMA Inc.) born at NAB convention.

Oct. 30. RCA gives first public demonstration of electronic color television.

Nov. 4. BROADCASTING TRENDS in initial report, reveals opinions of station operators on radio improvement problems.

Nov. 15. Robert E. Kintner elected executive vice president, ABC; Joseph A. McDonald, network general attorney, advanced to vice presidency.

Nov. 18. Program service adequate, BROADCASTING TRENDS poll of station managers indicates; four out of five managers feel own operations need improvement.

Nov. 24. National Radio Week observed.

Nov. 27. Allen B. Du Mont Laboratories, Passaic, N. J.. demonstrate television light beam transmission.

Nov. 29. Paul A. Porter resigns as Price Administrator; subsequently named head of Greek Economic Mission, with personal rank of ambassador.

Dec. 2. Radio throws influence into strike emergency as broadcasters are barred from John L. Lewis appearance in Federal Court, Washington.

Dec. 3. Charles R. Denny named chairman of FCC.

Dec. 5. AFRA officials walk out of negotiations with network; temporary suspension of arbitration called.

Dec. 8. Judge Justin Miller announces his legislative program for NAB in Miami speech before Florida Association of Broadcasters.

Dec. 9. FCC slightly modifies transcription identification rule.

Dec. 9. Supreme Court upholds FCC denial of license renewal for WOKO Albany.

Dec. 13. WBAL Baltimore petitions FCC for investigation of "false, distorted and misleading" references to station in FCC's Blue Book.

Dec. 16. Competitive bid for acquisition of 75% interest in KSTP St. Paul (Crosley Broadcasting Corp. holds option for purchase of control) filed by opposition group made up of St. Paul and Minneapolis businessmen.

Dec. 16. Broadcast Music Inc, seeking president for its organization, proffers post to Paul A. Porter. Later he turned it down.

Dec. 18. FCC orders networks to report on sustaining programs under Blue Book provisions.

Dec. 18. NAB releases figure indicating sets in use at all-time high - 91.3%.

Dec. 18. Recommendation for world wide network to be operated by United Nations made to UN General Assembly by Advisory Committee on United Nations Telecommunications.

Dec. 30. Broadcasters predict higher gross revenue but lower net in 1947 in BROADCASTING's year end forecast.