Chicago Tribune' TV Station Television stories, on other pages, in this issue:

To Begin Program Tests Feb. 1 WMAR-TV Begin; Pictorial News Show. p. 14 Chevrolet Sponsors News on TV ... p. 14 WGN-TV, the Chicago Tribune's cupied by WMAQ, now in the Four More Enter Video Requests. __p. 16 television station, will take the air Merchandise Mart, and can quickly AT&T Ready to File FM Cable Rates p. 20 with test patterns "about Feb. 1" be adapted to the TV operation, National Convention TV Plans Mapped p. 20 and will begin a regular schedule of Mr. Schreiber said. A mast to be Television Coverage Set for AWB Meet - p. 26 programs "on or before March 1," erected atop the building will carry WBZ-TV Starts Training School a p. 36 Frank P. Schrei- (.he antenna to 427 feet above Canadian Video Specifications Ready Soon p. 70 TV Said Cutting Chicago Jukebox Revenue ber, manager of street level—the highest television p. 70 Lack of Video Channels Discussed at NAB p. 82 WGN Inc., an- antenna in Chicago. 6,600 Video Receivers Reported in D. C.. p. 82 nounced yester- The station's program structure 15 NBC Newscasters Sign TV Contracts p. 84 day (Sunday). will consist of a balanced schedule 11,500 Sets Estimoted for Chicago p. 90A Chicago's first of studio features and remote For television personnel changes, programs, etc., se *• various notes video station to broadcasts of sports and news departments in this issue. be operated by an events, both on the spot and through AM network af- newsreel film service, the mana- filiate will occupy ger said. equipment will be used, he added. temporary quar- On the 25th floor will be studios, NBC Chicago Video Set Alignment Mr. Schreiber ters in the Chi- one 40 by 50 feet and one 12 by cago Daily News Early transmission of the test 16 feet, master control, studio con- Seen Ready in Sept. Bldg. until the Centennial Bldg., patterns in Feburary will enable trol, property and dressing rooms, adjoining Tribune Tower, is com- the 14,000 TV set owners in the a workshop, and office space. On Network Hopes to Build Around pleted. Chicago area to have service men the 26th floor will be the transmit- Four Midwest Outlets ter, a projection room for 16 and The entire 25th and 26th floors align their sets for best WGN-TV COMPLETION of NBC's pro- and part of the 24th floor of the reception, Carl J. Meyers, WGN 35 millimeter motion pictures and for slides, music library, and extra posed television station in Chicago News Bldg. will be used. Some director of engineering, explained. by Sept. 1 and possible network of this space formerly was oc- Latest transmitter and studio studio space. All of the space to be used on the 24th floor will be television by the year's end were for offices. predicted last week by I. E. Show- A mobile transmission unit for erman, vice president in charge NBC Includes Fairbanks Feature Films covering sports, special features, of the Central Division. and news events is expected to be Mr. Showerman announced NBC In Video Service Beyond Cable Reach delivered Feb. 10. was pushing ahead its original The investment in WGN-TV, plan for WNBY Chicago a full Mr. Mullen praised the facilities NBC'S USE of film in servicing which will operate on Channel 9 four months ahead in line with and techniques of the Fairbanks video stations outside the reach of at 186-192 mc, will be "about $500,- the company's desire to provide organization, which in addition to present coaxial cable or radio relay 000" by the time regular program- network program service to the its pioneering work in the produc- network facilities is being ex- ming begins, according to Mr. Midwest audience through its af- tion of movies for television is also panded to include feature pro- Schreiber. filiates, three of which already grams as well as news under a five- the distributing agency for the are on the air (WTMJ-TV Mil- year agreement between the net- Zoomar Lens, developed by Dr. waukee, KSD-TV St. Louis and work and Jerry Fairbanks Pro- Frank Back in collaboration with Kaiser-Frazer Show Uses WWJ-TV Detroit). ductions. Mr. Fairbanks. Around the four outlets NBC Terms of the agreement as dis- Four-Station TV Hook-Up NBC did not divulge its plans hopes to build its central grid, closed last week by Frank E. KAISER-FRAZER Corp., Willow for distributing the Fairbanks films while other affiliated video stations Mullen, NBC executive vice presi- Run, Mich., last night (Jan. 18) but presumably they will be used are expected to be in operation dent, and Jerry Fairbanks, presi- started sponsorship of Amateur to supplement its video network before many months. dent of the motion picture firm, service presently in operation along Flour on a four-station DuMont call for the movie company to the East Coast and projected for video hook-up, Sun. 7-8 p.m. Origi- Chicago's Status nating at WABD New York, pro- produce for NBC on order feature similar regional coverage in the gram will also be carried on WFIL- Noting that Chicago long has films of all styles and lengths. Midwest and on the Pacific Coast. Designed for video showing, the TV Philadelphia, WMAR-TV Bal- been one of the major origination The network has for some time films will incorporate the special timore and WTTG Washington. points in regular broadcasting, techniques developed by the Fair- serviced WWJ-TV Detroit and Swaney, Drake & Bement, Chi- Mr. Showerman observed: "The banks organization for television, KSD-TV St. Louis with news pro- cago and Detroit, K-F agency, logic that applied to establish its such as are utilized in its own grams on film. placed the 11-week video contract. position in this field applies with Public Prosecutor series. even more emphasis to television NBC will specify the types of ... It enjoys a strategic spot in the films desired and will acquire all network picture, whether it be for distribution rights, which may in- radio or television. ... In the clude other showings than by tele- course of any year, Chicago pro- vision, to the films produced by vides a vast number of program- Fairbanks under this contract. worthy events, and these events Fairbanks will be responsible for will be shared inevitably wdth the the production of the pictures un- national television audience." der NBC's general supervision. With respect to staff alignments, The films will follow the radio the NBC vice president stated that pattern, utilizing the open end personnel already employed in the technique which permits the inser- network's Chicago broadcasting tion of a sponsored message at the operations will be utilized in the beginning and close of each pro- new video setup. Some employes gram unit. will be given special training Commenting on the agreement, courses, and the entire Chicago Mr. Mullen called it "a highly engineering staff already has been significant step toward the imple- put through a basic television mentation of at least one type of course, which will be expanded. television programming. It is es- In addition, Mr. Showerman sential that television films be of disclosed, a limited number of tech- first-class quality. It is equally es- nical and production employes may sential that the televisor determine Drawn for BROADCASTING by Sid Hix be transferred to Chicago from the type, quality and standard of WNBT, NBC's New York pioneer the pictures that they are to put 'Our alternate video route must have taken the wrong turn on the air." somewhere in Jersey." (Continued on page 82) Two Years of Accomplishment For The Tribune's1

WGN-TV CHICAGO

Ridge, 111. In August, WGN-TV time to 60%, as compared with was a natural selection to telecast 24% at the outset. The average two mammoth Tribune extrava- March program week broke down ganzas — the Chicagoland Music as follows: 29% live studio shows; YEAR AGO, Frank P. Schreib- air April 5, 1948. Its premiere, in Festival and the All-Star Football 15% remotes (outside the studio); er, manager of Chicago Tri- WGN's famous radio theatre— game. The latter drew an estimated 30% film; 26% network feeds. bune broadcasting activities, Studio One—featured a parade of A 500,000 viewers. In step with program and com- generalized about television as he the best talent then available in Throughout its two years, WGN- surveyed a year of achievement by Chicago, plus speeches by a United mercial developments, WGN-TV TV's Chicagoland Newsreel has mads long strides engineering-wise WGN-TV Chicago, youngest of States Senator, the governor of been one of the station's most the illustrious Tribune offsprings. Illinois, and the mayor of Chicago. during the latter part of its first popular offerings. It is the only 12 months, and early in its second "An open mind; the courage to There were 17,000 receivers in the locally prepared TV newsreel, with Chicago area at the time. year moved its antenna tower and take a chance; the ability to learn 35 commercial spots in 10 showings transmitter from a temporary lo- quickly from trial and error—these With the influential Tribune pro- per week. With a large staff of cation at the Chicago Daily News are television's prime requisites," moting it to the hilt, WGN-TV was photographers and technicians, Bldg. to Tribune Tower. However, he declared. an important factor in bringing many of them Tribune news- delays in construction of a spacious Last week, Mr. Schreiber was up receiver sales in the Chicago trained, Chicagoland Newsreel is new WGN building, adjacent to more specific as he spoke with area by nearly 100,000 during the one of the most costly TV projects the "Tower," made it impossible pride of the approaching second station's first year of operation. in the nation, but Chicagoans hail to move all of WGN-TV's facilities anniversary of WGN-TV. He The Tribune not only published a it as an unrivaled public service, from the Daily News Bldg. until called the station "our more glam- record-breaking television edition giving them their only opportunity recently. orous and beautiful baby." on the eve of WGN-TV's premiere, to see the city from all aspects. "Much emphasis" is put on but earlier had invited hundreds The 100-foot combination TV-FM In late August 1948 the station antenna, supported by a steel mast WGN-TV in the current multi- of Chicagoland dealers to a "TV joined DuMont network, and in million dollar building program of Open House." rising 33 feet above Tribune Tower, November became affiliated with puts the top of the present antenna WGN Inc., he revealed. Mr. CBS-TV as well. DuMont's Original Schreiber cautiously added, how- Heavy Opening Schedule 610 feet above ground level. This Amateur Hour, plus Friday night represents an increase of more than ever, that AM facilities likewise Station started out with an un- wrestling and CBS' Toast of the are being improved and WGN's 180 feet over the height of the precedented schedule of 42 hours Town, were among the first eastern temporary installation. The station overall expansion program "exem- weekly. Such events as the Inter- network shows to be seen in Chi- plifies faith in the future of both is on Channel 9 (186-192 mc) with national Golden Gloves, Chicago cago by tele-transcription. 7.2 kw aural, 11.2 kw visual. radio and television." Cubs baseball games, exclusive On Jan. 11, 1949, WGN-TV Station started its new year with Nevertheless, observers see in White Sox baseball telecasts, other joined other Chicago video out- a full Chicago Cubs schedule and Mr. Schreiber's enthusiasm for local sports features and special lets in the first telecast on the east- television an indication that, in programs were included in the first midwest cable, and the next day exclusive White Sox baseball tele- WGN-TV, the Tribune has as month's operation. Succeeding started its regular schedule of casts. Chicago retailers became great a money-maker in the TV months brought Chicago tele- eastern telecasts from CBS and increasingly active as the station field as WGN is among AM opera- viewers the Alexander Korda pro- DuMont. promoted its "second year on the ductions. President Truman was tions. With 105 local advertisers; Other memorable telecasts of the air." Rosen's Men's Wear took on televised the first time in Chicago every minute of its five sports first year were Roy Rogers' Rodeo, Friday night boxing and reported when he appeared at the Swedish programs sold out; success stories International Livestock Exposition, sales increases from the first tele- Pioneer Centennial. and testimonials coming in by the National Television and Electrical cast. By the third week enough dozens; more viewers for such The summer of 1948 brought the Living Show and the International customers were brought in by TV pooled telecasts as the World first telecast Big League night Kennel Club Dog Show. for this advertiser to break even. Series than for all other Chicago baseball games, as well as the One of the most encouraging re- TV stations combined—this two- nation's first complete 154-game S if in preparation for its first year-old "baby" seems to have hit major league schedule. Other mid- A anniversary celebration, the ports of the station's new year its stride. summer highlights were from the station averaged 51 hours per week came late in April when Mystery WGN-TV was a million-dollar Chicago Railroad Fair and a on the air during March 1949, and Players was shown by two rating investment even before it took the Lincoln Festival in nearby Park increased its weekly commercial services to be only two points be-

Mr. MEYERS Mr. COOK Mr. SCHREIBER Mr. BROOKS Mr. FARAGHAN Mr. BRICKHOUSE This new building, housing WGN- circled by a catwalk 15 feet from TV as well as other Tribune broad- the floor to provide additional space casting operations, is nearing com- for scenery, lights and other equip- pletion on property adjacent to ment. Lighting is accomplished by Tribune Toiver. 12 banks of fluorescent tubes sus- * * + pended from the ceiling on accor- dion-like supports. They can be hind the second highest rated net- adjusted to any level from 5 to 20 work drama in the nation, and well feet from the floor. Additional ahead of all other local productions banks of special lights rated up to of this type. That same month the 2,000 watts are mounted on floor station started wooing women's dollies. audiences with a Friday afternoon show sponsored by a ladies' foun- An ultra-modern kitchen has dation manufacturer. It was the been permanently installed in Stu- first time in the Midwest that such dio 6A for use in afternoon pro- a concern had used television to grams designed for homemakers. promote the sale of its products. It has a 1950 model electric range, deep freeze, refrigerator, double In June a rating group gave the sink and lighted cabinets. At least station occasion to crow when it five other stage sets can be dove- revealed the results of a survey tailed into this studio simulta- showing what products viewers had neously for one or several shows. purchased after seeing them ad- The only other TV studio com- vertised on television. The top pleted is 6B, a unique music and four products were all network organ room. The organ installa- advertised, but the fifth product tion is a $50,000 project in itself. was WGN-TV advertised Tavern Only the console is visible. Pipes Pale Beer. Two places below Tavern and shutters have been concealed Pale was Dad's Root Beer, an ad- behind a perforated wall, creating vertiser that allocated 50% of its used for TV. Largest will be Studio from any other advertising we have the illusion of sound permeating appropriation to WGN-TV. One, for many years scene of used," wrote A. G. Whitmer, ad- the studio from the innermost re- vertising and sales promotion man- WGN's Chicago Theatre of the Air. During this same month station cesses. Two stories high, Studio ager. "Our advertising dollar spent This famous radio meeting place, officials were pleased when DuMont 6B, which measures 33x45 ft., in television has gone further than with a marquee on Michigan Blvd., offered a commercially sponsored, will also be used for AM. hour-long Saturday night variety in any other medium. The direct now is being remodeled for TV as results from the use of this pro- well as AM. show, Cavalcade of Stars. WGN-" GN-TV's staff of 115 is gram have far exceeded our ex- TV had planned to leave the CBS- An outdoor bandshell — trans- headed by Mr. Schreiber, a TV network by fall, so this pro- pectations and we wish to compli- planted indoors—would quite logi- Tribune man for more than 30 gram-building by DuMont fitted ment your organization on a job cally describe the recently opened nicely into its plans. Walgreen well done." Studio 5A. Three stories high at years. He covered sports for the Drug Co. picked up the local tie-ins. Another recent commercial one end, one-and-a-half at the newspaper as early as 1918 while in high school. Within 10 years By August another survey re- achievement was the avalanche other, it contains a complete band- vealed that five out of the top six of votes pulled by a contest to shell and is planned for broadcasts he was named assistant general TV shows in the country were on select "Miss Tavern Pale of 1949." of symphony orchestras, large purchasing agent of the Tribune WGN-TV, and nine out of the A total of 1,642,000 ballots were bands and other over-sized pro- company, and three years later highest 13 were telecast by the received, and the sponsor, Tavern ductions. A floating studio, it is 41 joined WGN as public relations di- station. Important from the local Pale Beer, has started another ft. wide and 70 ft. long. A client's rector. He has been in charge of contest for 1950. booth, 23 x 9 ft., can accommodate advertisers' viewpoint was that five all WGN Inc. broadcasting opera- 25 persons. Permanent seats will programs were local WGN-TV One advertiser tried WGN-TV tions since September 1940. originations. for a test last year and soon found not be installed on the main floor of it necessary to expand from a this studio, making it as flexible Director of engineering for Jj: * 4,000 sq. ft. location with three as possible, but 250 portable chairs WGN-TV, as well as the Tribune's AST fall WGN-TV gradually employes to a 25,000 sq. ft. layout are available. AM and FM stations, is Carl J. L moved into prominence as one with 70 people. Dulane Inc., a Meyers. His first assignment on of the nation's most successful Another studio now ready is 6A, 1949 newcomer in the electrical joining WGN in 1925 was to re- "local" operations. It leveled off also built on the floating principle. cooking appliance field, uses Harold (Continued on Telecasting 18) with more than 85% of its time Isbell, with 26 years of broadcast It is 24 x 50 x 22 ft. and is en- non-network and 67% commercial. experience, on both Spell with By October its local status became Isbell and Stop, Look, and Learn. even stronger when it was revealed Dulane plans to put the Isbell shows that commercial programming on the network to back nation-wide from two networks accounted for distribution. only 11% of all its time. When "Although we sold only 100 units CBS-TV was dropped later that in January 1949, our October sales month, station had only four hours were 15,000 units," wrote Robert of unsold time during the period Dusek, president. "Television is 6:30-11 p.m., Monday through Sun- ideal for the little fellow with the day. modest income. The only city in Early this year Chicago Cooks which we purchased advertising with Barbara Barkley loomed as was Chicago. Sales in Chicago have one of the nation's most successful soared four times faster than in TV shows. Mail count of 3,015 in other major cities." November and 3,350 in December WGN-TV now is on the air 57 moved up to 5,098 in January and hours a week. Its hourly live rates had passed 6,700 by the third week range from $750 (Class A) to $375 of February. Starting as two half- (Class C). hour shows per week, Barbara Barkley now has five 45-minute TATION soon will be settled in shows weekly with 31 announce- S headquarters equal to any in ments paid for by 19 clients. All the world. Seven of the 14 studios of Friday's show, plus one an- now available or tinder construc- nouncement on Wednesday, is spon- tion in the «new WGN Bldg. will be sored by Kelvinator, which re- * * * cently was moved to send in a testimonial letter. From WGN-TV's neiv Studio 6A Barbara Barkley (I background) "We have received more direct presides over Chicago Cooks With returns from this program than Barbara Barkley.