r A S The Widget Works, Inc. announces the installation of its prototype microprocessor based AUTOMATIC ACTors. Action for Children's Television fifth annual Achievement in Children's Television Awards were handed out last week to 14 broadcasters in ceremonies in Boston. Honors TRANSMITTER also went to six corporations, which are the first awarded ACT's new Corporate Honor Roll Awards for commitments to children's programing. Accepting awards for their firms and OPERATOR their programs were (seated, l -r): David Braun, General Foods, Zoom; Lester Cooper, ABC News, Kidsworld; Robert Howard, NBC -TV, Mugsy and Special Treat; Frederick Pierce, On the most powerful FM ABC -TV, Afterschool Specials; Peggy Charren, ACT; Larry Grossman, PBS, children's pro- Transmitter in the Country grams; Jesus Trevino, Educational Development Corp., Infinity Factory; Diane Bloomgarten, wMAO -TV Chicago, Bubblegum Digest; Kathy Welsh, KETC -TV St. Louis, Common Cents. Standing, l -r: Robert and Betsy Behrens, The Behrens Co., Kidsworld; Lester Strong, (WDBN/ STF;F0 949 ) wse -TV Atlanta, Operation Education; Robert Andrews, Johnson & Johnson, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: Christine Metcalf, KRoN -Tv San Francisco, Kidewatch; John Louden, ITT, Big Medina, Cleveland, Akron, Blue Marble; William Bortree, Johnson & Johnson, Mister Rogers; John Behnke, KOMO -TV Ohio Seattle, Boomerang; Topper Carew, WGBH -TV Boston, Rebop; James Fish, General Mills, Rebop; Sandra Ruch, Mobil, children's specials; Larry Wheeler, Sears, Mister Rogers; Nor- man Axelrad, McDonald's Local Restaurant Association, Once Upon a Classic; Jay Ravid, WOED Pittsburgh, Once Upon a Classic. WHO'S NEXT? how much reduction they were seeking, to ask the U.S. Southern District Court in but ASCAP sources said the committee New York to step into the dispute and set asked that the fee rate be dropped by "a reasonable fee." This procedure is pro- '"'.For product, pricing, or almost 25%. That would cut about $5.5 vided for in a consent decree governing delivery information call or million off the stations' annual payments. ASCAP's operations. write: ASCAP officials countered that the Mr. Sanger also said ASCAP planned to commercial fee should be increased, as send letters -and ASCAP officials con- THE WIDGET WORKS, INC. they proposed, not lowered. They con- firmed that they had done so -to stations, P.O. Box 564 tended that ASCAP "is in a stronger posi- proposing that they sign an extension of Ashland, Ohio 44805 tion in the charts" than it was when the Mr. Sanger empha- (419) 289 -3122 the present contract. current contract was negotiated in 1972, sized that stations that have authorized the Gordon DuVall and that the ASCAP repertory's value has committee to act on their behalf, or that do Vice President, Sales increased in other ways as well. so before Feb. 28, should not sign an North 6838 Ottawa The committee, which represents some ASCAP extension because, under the Chicago, Illinois 60631 1,400 stations, historically has argued that they will be able to con- (312) 774-5115 court procedures, ASCAP music has consistently decreased tinue playing ASCAP music, even after James C. Beebe in value to the stations and that ASCAP's the present license expires, "without fear President rates should therefore decline. of copyright infringement ?' When stations Ivy 1348 Hill Lane Mr. Sanger said ASCAP wanted the take an ASCAP rate case to court, the Medina, Ohio 44256 commercial fee rate, now 1.725% of court sets interim rates either the old (216) 725 -6245 - specified revenues, to go to 2% in the rates or some modification -that remain C. Fred Mullins licenses that would take effect March 1. in effect while the case is being decided. Director of Engineering ASCAP sources, in turn, said the commit- Members of the all- industry committee 1293 Center Street tee wanted to cut the rate to 1.3 %. in addition to Chairman Sanger are Ashland, Ohio 44805 Although he did not specify the size of George W. Armstrong, Storz Broadcasting (419) 289-2766 the proposed cut, Mr. Sanger said the com- Corp.; Abiah A. Church, Storer Broadcast- mittee also asked for elimination of sus- ing Co.; Robert R. Hilker,SuiburbanRadio taining fees, the adoption of an incremen- Group; J. Allen Jensen, KID -AM -FM Idaho tal formula under which only one-half the Falls, Idaho; Harold R. Krelstein, Plough rate would apply on revenues above a THE cer- Broadcasting Co.; Richard C. Percival, tain level, the right to deduct agency com- retired executive of Cowles Communica- missions paid to "religion agencies," an tions; Lester M. Smith, Kaye -Smith Radio of increased optional standard deduction Group; James A. Stabile, Metromedia available to all Stations, "and other im- Inc., and Donald R. Thurston, Berkshire provements in both the blanket and per- Broadcasting Co. Counsel to the commit- program licenses." tee are Emanuel Dannett and Bernard OTkSIMC Mr. Sanger said representatives of the Buchholz of the New York law firm of two sides would meet again in early Graubard Moskovitz McGoldrick Dannett L March, and that the committee expected & Horowitz. Broadcasting Feb 14 1977 88 .