Broadcasting Oct 31 - American Radio History

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Daniel Ritchie, chat man and chief executive officer, Westinghouse
Broadcasting and Cable, took on National Association of Broadcasters
in speech last week in Washington. He criticized NAB and said
"cable has a lot to teach the broadcasters about how to organize for
important public issues ... National Cable Television Association
is a success; it functions, it serves a vital purpose. I am not sure
the same thing can now be said about the NAB," he said. NCTA,
Ritchie said, "is a grass roots organization with important energies
moving up from the local communities through the states and
regions into a national force; it reflects and realistically represents
the cable industry. NAB, in contrast, has been an unrepresentative
Washington -based club disproportionately devoted to narrow
parochial interests."
FCC Mass Media Bureau has proposed to recommend that commis-
sion waive part of its type acceptance requirements for Harris Corp.,
move bureau said "would presumably remove any impediment to
eventual type acceptance of the Harris Model STX -1A AM Stereo-
phonic Exciter." In notice last week, bureau said when Harris AM
stereo transmitter was measured for compatibility with mono-
phonic receivers, it exceeded FCC's distortion limits. Harris, FCC
said, has contended that distortion isn't objectionable. Comments
are due Nov. 30.
Genesis StoryTime, new 24- hour videotex cable program service for
children, is slated for launch today (Oct. 31) on Satcom III, transpon-
der eight, last- minute change from Satcom IV. Noncommercial
service, which has been test -marketed in Canada for about 11
months, is being marketed from Winnipeg, Man., headquarters of
Genesis StoryTime, rather than Satellite Syndicated Services, as
had previously been case. Telidon -based system is shown in si-
lent, open -captioned format showing two stories every hour, with
complete story composed of about 15 to 45 electronic "pages."
Stories, from 400 to 1,000 words in length, are stored on magnetic
memory diskettes and will be uplinked from Virginia Beach to
Satcom III.
NBC -TV announced that Manimal and For Love and Honor, which
form its Friday 9 -11 p.m. block, and Roosters, on Saturdays at 9 -10
p. m . , will "take a short hiatus," with first two to be replaced by Friday
Night at the Movies in November and December and with Rousters
replacements including two new comedy- variety specials in November.
Movies include Caddyshack with Chevy Chase on Nov.
11 and Blow Out with John Travolta on Nov. 18; Larry Holmes -
Marvis Frazier heavyweight title fight will occupy Friday 9 -11 p.m.
period Nov. 25. Saturday comedy- variety specials include TV Censored
Bloopers #6 on Nov. 12 and Television's Greatest Commercials
on Nov. 19. NBC said Manama/ will return to schedule in
December and For Love and Honor and Rousters will continue in
production and return at unspecified date, "hopefully in more
protected time periods." ABC -TV, meanwhile, announced Trauma
Center wl l move from Thursday 9 -10 p.m. spot (being vacated by 9
to 5 and Its Not Easy), effective Nov. 10. Trauma's old spot will be
filled by Life's Most Embarrassing Moments on Nov. 10, by entertainment
specials thereafter.
ABC is moving new hour -long Trauma Center from 8 -9 p.m. Thurs-
day slot to 9 -10 p.m. period on same night beginning Nov. 10 to fill
void left by cancellation of 9 to 5 and It's Not Easy, which went off
air Oct. 27 (BROADCASTING, Oct. 24). Special, Life's Most Embar-
rassing Moments, will air at 8 p.m. Nov. 10 and series of entertain-
ment specials will fill time period until regular new program is
determined.
House Copyright Subcommittee heard testimony last week on "first
sale doctrine" of copyright law. Doctrine protects tape manufactur-
ers and software dealers from being charged additional royalty
fees after original sale of material by copyright owners. Testimony
focused on bill (H.R. 1029) that would give copyright holders some
control over first rental rights of tapes. Representatives from video
retailer industry, manufacturers and consumer groups spoke
against bill. They charged passage of H.R. 1029 would represent "a
disaster for the ever -growing number of VCR owners and consum-
Broadcasting Oct 31 1983
96
Growing in popularity. Support for the Tauke -Tauzin broadcast
deregulation bill (HR.2382) is mounting. Representatives Torn
Tauke (R -Iowa) and Billy Tauzin (D -La.) announced during a
press conference last week that the bill's co- sponsors now total
221 (218 co-sponsors, represents a majority of the House).
Congressmen Thomas Luken (D -Ohio) and Michael Oxley (R-
Ohio), who introduced their own broadcast deregulation bill
(H.R.2873), and chief backers of the Tauke -Tauzin measure
joined their colleagues at the press conference.
"This widespread support indicates that it is time for the
House to address this issue, "said Tauke. " The FCC's decision
to deregulate ought to be codified and a majority of the House
agrees." Tauzin said. Both Tauke and Tauzin focused on the
merits of their bill: "In this competitive marketplace, which has
rapidly exploded, it is difficult to find justification for substantial
regulation. In my view,enactment of H.R. 2382 would benefit
Americans because it upholds the principle of the First Amend-
ment and it relieves Americans of the costs of unnecessary
government regulations," Tauke said.
Tauke and Tauzin have also played a major role in attempts to
fashion a broadcast deregulation package with other members
of the Telecommunications Subcommittee. Quantified pro-
graming performance standards serves as the centerpiece of
those negotiations, a proposal neither endorses. "We are not
anticipating winning on every point. We just want a chance to
present our case to the full House," Tauzin said. Neither the
Tauke -Tauzin measure nor the Luken -Oxley bill are serving as
the framework of subcommittee discussions.
Tauzin said negotiations on the package were proceeding
well, but refused to discuss any details. They admitted, howev-
er, that members have still not reached agreement on key is-
sues. Despite strong differences among the members Tauke
and Tauzin felt a bill would emerge from the subcommittee by
the end of the year. Seated above (1 -r): Luken, Tauzin, Tauke.
and Oxley.
ers who enjoy low -cost home entertainment." Spokesmen for me
tion picture industry, however, urged subcommittee to suppo.
legislation that would allow copyright holders to get fair share
rental revenues.
Time Inc. officials last week denied that announcement was imm
nent indicating company would scrap plans to introduce commerci
teletext system (via cable) in 1984. But official did put distanc
between Time and any commitment to do so. "We never said w
were going to introduce teletext as a commercial venture in 1984
he said, adding that "tests will continue." He said announcemer
about company's further plans for teletext may be forthcoming b
end of year.
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Principally due to interest expenses, Viacom International Inc. n
ported decline in net income in third quarter of 1983 over compas
ble period in 1982. Net income dropped 38% to $4,300,000, or
cents per share, compared to $6,924,000, or 51 cents per share, fi
comparable period last year. However, both revenue and earninç
from continuing operations were up. Third quarter income froi
operations rose 2% to $11,218,000 on revenue of $79,652,000, u
13 %. Viacom Chairman Ralph Baruch said he expects full ye:
1983 earnings to be ahead of 1982 levels.