When this 'broker' talks, PBS stations listen By Dave Potorti Station participation is providing nationwide, and at the same time American "bumpers" around foreign meets the less-than-mass needs of BOSTON—Belt tightening, programming may add to the appeal smaller groups of stations with pro- "commercial experiments" and fund- of certain difficult-to-digest material. gramming like Microwave Cookery. raisers seem like dreary ways for Playing a broker's role in many of The program service is supported by public television to mine additional these arrangements it Eastern membership dues and by a 12 percent revenues. But local stations are taking Educational Nctwork and its administrative surcharge on all pro- a look at more creative marketing Interregional Programming Service. grams. ideas designed to expand their ¡PS offers a piogram syndication EEN, parent company to ¡PS, was audience base. service to its 250 member stations as launched in 1960 and is now composed Viewer participation, whether a supplement to PBS, without of 33 corporate member stations in an through educational exercises or book duplicating PBS offerings. I(-state region. It is the only intercon- purchases, seems popular. Joint ¡PS facilitated the sale of major nect system operating 24 hours a day, ventures between public television programming, like The Paper Chase, seven days a week, and provides stations may become more common. to public television stations Continued on page 15 Television: UM IMO%A 191i.àA min Production facilities • MSI: Historic facility 11161011TWIli4111.0116driMi • Chamber of Commerce: The business news and features Chamber productions as well weekly for the broadcast industry. as outsiders A Titsch Communications. Inc. publicatior • MetroTape: Metromedia's in-house producer page 9. WV August 8, 1983 Vol. 1, No. 38/75c rsikai awl rsrasi—r" LP VII Iiv ijrui.0 Rules compromise set... By Angela Burnett shows they air, including syndi- cation rights. However, within WAS six months after the end of a of atentative plan that gives the series, the network would have networks full financial interest to transfer all of its syndication in prime-time programming rights to an independent syndi- and proposes modification of cator. the syndication rules was offered Similarly, five years after a by the Federal Communications series first aired, even if it is still gela umet Commission late last week. on-air, syndication rights of the Ronald Bornstein and Under the compromise plan, network would have to be Edward Pfister worked out by the FCC Chair- transferred to an independent Brighter days man Mark Fowler, ABC, CBS syndicator. The independent and NBC can have up to 100 syndicator, and not the network, WASHINGTON—Final agree- percent ownership rights of any Continued on page 4 ment on the loan that will help National Public Radio through its $9.1 million deficit may signal some brighter days ahead. ... reactions hold to path Page 5. By Bill Dunlap ernment regulation of our News speculation business," Wyman's t-i,rri Frit. NEW YORK—The musical chairs NEW YORK—ABC and CBS said. continue in the network news were happy, in a reserved sort After commending the com- arena, but participants are play- of way, about the Federal mission for its thorough review ing the game without a great Communications Commis- of the case, the statement went deal of fanfare. Page 2. sion's tentative decision to on to say, "We are, of course, Christian radio relax the financial interest and disappointed that the FCC has Launching SSS syndication rules, but NBC's not totally repealed the rules, ATLANTA—Burkhardt/Abrams/ first reaction was a little testy. which we think would be fully Jim Caldwell, co-host of "PM Magazine" on New Michaels/Douglas and Asso- York's WNEW-TV, broadcast live from the opening ciates is branching into religious Supporters of the rules, which justified by the extensive record festivities of South Street Seaport while a barbershop broadcasting consulting with a include the motion picture in this proceeding. new Christian Radio Program- industry, producers and syndi- "But we believe the commis- quartet entertained. Story and additional photos on ming Division. Page 3. cators, were disappointed with sion has taken ajudicious and page 19. the FCC's proposal and were of well considered action that AFTRA appeal the opinion that what the FCC fairly reflects the many points LOS ANGELES—The American touted as a compromise was of view it has received." Federation of Television & Radio really a victory for the net- An unattributed statement Indies plot countermoves Artists appealed the ruling that works. from ABC Inc. said the changes By Ed Harrison skewed to counter network found them guilty of antitrust The CBS reaction came from in the rules would be "con- fare. violations and ordered them to Thomas Wyman, chairman, structive and welcome" and pay $10.5 million. Page 6. LOS ANGELES—As the net- "As independents, we're find- president and chief executive, went on to say, "Although work prime-time season draws ing it easier to do our business who was at the forefront of the ABC believes that full repeal of Motion denied nearer, independent stations against prime time because of fight against the rules from the both rules is justified, television LOS ANGELES—Superior Court are formulating their counter- network fluctuation," said beginning. viewers will undoubtedly bene- Judge Jack Zwink denied Dr. programming strategies. Henry Boyce, program director "We are pleased that the fit from the changes the com- Carl Galloway's motion for a What can network affiliates of KHTV-TV Houston."We're FCC has taken this important mission does plan to make. The new trial in his slander suit expect in the way of competi- the only consistent thing in the step in reducing outdated gov- Continued on page 4 against 60 Minutes and CBS. tion from their independent universe. We're selling consis- Page 6. counterparts? For the most tency. From a sales point, part, they can rely on movies, advertisers know what they're RKO ensnarled Ad sales flex muscles off-network sitcoms, syndicated getting." NEW YORK—RKO General has dramas and westerns and lots Boyce said that his approach money in its pockets and no By Bill Dunlap the fourth quarter," he said. of action/adventure pro- to movie programming is to place to spend it—at least, He cited the improving econ- grams—all demographically Continued on page 5 nowhere in broadcasting—be- NEW YOR K--The strong per- omy and a generally positive cause of hearings and appeals formance turned in by the three atmosphere as contributing to on license renewals. Page 13. 119111MI 1111 WWI MUM" networks in the upfront buying the optimism, although no »111 ILO MGM Mar Buell MIIG season is inspiring optimism on product categories stood out, the part of the television rep as video games did last year. Inside this week firms that national spot sales "The third quarter will finish CBS leads July sweeps, NBC follows Update 6 also will be strong this fall. up with a 10 percent gain and it People on the move 8 Executives at some of the will be better than that in the NEW YORK—CBS topped the July Arbitron sweeps (July 6-Aug. BW Extra 9 larger rep firms were predicting fourth. We are anticipating 2) with a 13.2 rating, but NBC may have been the big winner. NBC's Finance 13 10 to 16 percent gains in busi- that the fourth will start show- numbers rose 15 percent from the previous July, 10.6 to 12.2, as the Product update 14 ness in the fourth quarter. network moved into second place. ABC slipped 11 percent, from 12.6 Regulatory scene 15 ing strength building toward Victor Ferrante, senior vice Calendar 16 the 1984 election and Olympics to 11.2, falling to third. CBS was down 2percent, having achieved a Classifieds 17 president at Katz Television, year. We're pleased, too, that 13.2 in July 1982. Other voices (editorial) 18 expressed great pleasure with local business has taken a With the last day of results yet to come in for the Nielsen sweeps Images 19 reported upfront business by tremendous resurgence this (July 7-Aug. 3), NBC had an 11.9, up 12 percent from July 1982; Regional report 20 the networks. "We think that year at most of our stations," ABC had an 11.3, again down 11 percent; and CBS had a 13.0, again 20 pages. 1 section bodes well for good business in Ferrante said. down 2percent. As in Arbitron, NBC had moved into second place. Jim Kelly, senior vice presi- dPnt and general sales manager Disney Productions takeover rumor denied BW1FD02906BRA8S# 55 4 /1 Blair Television, said the NEW YORK--A spokesman for Allen & Co. Inc. and Alfred GEORGE BRANDT GEN MGR ird quarter is coming in a Taubman, chairman of Taubman Co., deny they are interested in STATION WBRU FM tie higher than the 9 to II acquiring astake in Walt Disney Productions. Rumors that one or S8 BENEVOLENT ST rcent gain he had originally both companies were interested in a takeover of Disney drove the PROVIDENCE RI 02906 recast. "September looks company's stock up 21/2 points last Thursday. Continued on page 5 Continued on page 4 2 BROADCAST WEEK/August 8, 1983 Jennings, Mudd head list in musical anchors game By Dave Potortl al as co-hnchor of NBC response to rising conjecture the team we've built at World Departing veteran Nightly News, has been ap- last week that Jennings was set News Tonight, and we are in "I have always felt that NEW YORK—The musical proached by Metromedia as to assume the anchor role.