Starting to write the rules for DBS Rewriting the script for PBS ur 49th Year 1980 BroadcastingESep29The newsweekly of broadcasting and allied arts It's hot and it spells success! Warner Bros. Televi lon Distributioñ A Warner Communications Company TIME -LIFE TELEVISION presents aillE LIFE MEATBALLS HARPER VALLEY P.T.A. 20 Major Movies Bill Murray, Harvey Atkin, Kate Lynch, Barbara Eden, Ronny Cox. Nanette Fabray, Russ Banham Louis Nye. Pat Paulsen BREAKING UP DEVILDOG: The Hound of Hell DIXIE DYNAMITE Lee Remick, Granville Van Dusen Richard Crenna, Yvette Mimieux, Victor Jory Warren Oates, Christopher George 6 MURDER BY NATURAL CAUSES NIGHT CREATURE OVERBOARD Hal Holbrook, Katharine Ross, Donald Pleasance, Nancy Kwan. Ross Hagen Cliff Robertson, Angie Dickinson Barry Bostwick, Richard Anderson STRANGER IN OUR HOUSE STREET KILLING TELL ME MY NAME Linda Blair, Lee Purcell, Jeremy Slate, Andy Griffith, Harry Guardino, Arthur Hill. Barbara Barrie, Barnard Hughes Carol Lawrence, Macdonald Carey Bradford Dillman CID STRANGERS: THE WILD GEESE phia Loren, Charlton Heston, Raf Vallone. The Story of a Mother and Daughter Richard Burton, Roger Moore. Richard Harris, nevieve Page Bette Davis, Gena Rowlands Stewart Granger E GLASS MENAGERIE GOOD GUYS WEAR BLACK THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER OVER THE tharine Hepburn, Sam Waterston, Chuck Norris, James Franciscus SEPTIC TANK anna Miles, Michael Moriarty Dana Andrews, Jim Backus Carol Burnett, Charles Grodin, Alex Rocco, Linda Gray IBY SEE HOW SHE RUNS THE SILENT PARTNER per Laurie, Stuart Whitman, Roger Davis Joanne Woodward, John Considine, Elliott Gould, Christopher Plummer, Barnard Hughes Susannah York HOLLYWOOD'S BIGGEST STARS IN SYNDICATION'S MOST IMPORTANT NEW FEATURE GROUP MAJOR THEATRICALS TIME-LIFE TELEVISION AVERAGE FIRST RUN SYNDICATION DIVISION NETWORK SHARE TO DATE: 33 TIME -LIFE BUILDING NEW YORK, N.Y. 10020 IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITIES (212) 841-3063 NEW YORK ATLANTA DALLAS ST. LOUIS LOS ANGELES AVERAGE RUNNING TIME: 100 Min. Chips Barrabee Thomas N. Todd Dennis S. Emerson Jack G. Garrison Jack Donahue (212) 841-3052 (404) 993-5084 (214) 492-3555 (314) 227-7602 (213) 557 -9415 When it comes . to audience development research for radio, 0 1 why should you use the best? .' Because good perceptual research finding out what the audience wants and why - Arequires experienced professionals and a keen 0 knowledge of what information and systems 0 can really work to improve a radio station's ratings and profits. Consider what a strong company offers: EXPERIENCE. Because most markets today are research, done exclusively, is more expensive than highly competitive with a wide variety of air products syndicated research projects. The fact is that even available to the listener, we have found a special with total customization, the difference in price is expertise is required to deliver really useable and profit - usually very small. able information for our radio clients. The Research Why do we work exclusively for a dient? Consider: Group serves more than 65 stations in the United Would you want your competitors to understand States and Canada - successful broadcasters who your station's vulnerabilities? Would you want them know the value of using the best. to know which of your air talent have real potential? Would you want them to know how to improve PEOPLE. Through the Research Group, dients have their own weaknesses? If the answer to any o6 these access to some of the most successful professionals in questions is no , we suggest an exclusive and confiden- the industry: Bill Moyes, E. Karl, Peg Riemer, Dick tial relationship with your research firm. Springfield and others. COMMITMENT. Our firm is totally invol ed in, SENSIBLE GOALS. Our goal is to help each client use and dedicated to the radio industry. It is not a sideline research to improve its bottom line. Better profit for to any other business base. The Reseach Group rofes- each station is the purpose of research at our firm. To sional staff includes some of the top progtarr tiers/ ensure it, we have a flexible program of applying a researchers in the country today, and we strive to wide variety of research programming, promo- acquire and keep the country's best people. tion, and . sales research - to each dient's needs. Moreover, we own and operate successful radio sta- EXCLUSIVITY. We normally work with one client tions in sizeable competitive markets. We know what exclusively in a market. Some people might believe our it takes. The best, If you are interested in using the best, please let us know. Just call for an appointment in your market or at the NRBA. The Research Group 1422 Monterey Professional Plaza San Luis Obispo, California 93401 805/541 -2838 At ifíe NRBA, Los Angeles Bonaventure Hotel, Suite 2738 SroadcastingiSep29 L The Week in Brief TOP OF THE WEEK syndicated exclusivity and distant -signal rules. The delay NO FETTERS FOR DBS That is recommendation of the is sought until an appeals court acts on Malrite's suit that Office of Plans and Policy to the FCC. The inquiry notice challenges the FCC decisions. PAGE 46. is due out this week. PAGE 32. JOURNALISM THE BALTIMORE BOXSCORE CBS and NBC draw GROSSMAN'S ALLIANCE The PBS chairman outlines a respectable ratings for the Reagan- Anderson plan for a partnership of public TV and the nation's cultural confrontation, but whether there will be other debates is organizations to provide a $55- million program service. debatable. PAGE 48. PAGE 33. BOUOUETS FOR MACBRIDE SDX discusses the world NAB STANCES The fall board meeting in Washington press report that is being presented to a Belgrade results in cautious endorsement of DBS, a plea for the UNESCO meeting. There are some misgivings, but FCC to expedite action on teletext, and a resolve to battle approval for a number of points and praise for the prod it the commission on UHF. In addition, the radio task force gives to Third World coverage. PAGE 52. gains momentum and there's good news for the minority fund in the form of an IRS break. PAGE 34. LOOKING FOR MORE CLASS A new commission is formed to recommend reforms in presidential news H.R. 6121 SHOT DOWN A House Judiciary conference to eliminate the "circus- like" atmosphere that subcommittee votes against the bill that would have lifted embarrasses many White House regulars. PAGE 52. restrictions on AT &T and telephone industry. PAGE 35. BUSINESS THAT ACTORS STRIKE The tentative agreement last CAMPAIGN ADS GET ROUGHER Carter and Reagan Thursday brings restart of production that much closer. begin readying spots that attack each other's PAGE 36. qualifications and ability. PAGE 54 LAW & REGULATION PROGRAMING FERRIS EXPLAINS The FCC chairman briefs an IRIS 'SHOGUN' ZAPS COMPETITION The NBC five -parter audience on the philosophy behind the changes in the gets the highest miniseries ratings since Roots. commission's regulatory attitudes. He also says the PAGE 59. question of networks getting back into cable ownership TECHNOLOGY should be considered. PAGE 40. DOWNBEAT REPORT Digital technology gets major play at the IBC meeting in Brighton, England. American and CURIOSITY ABOUT LOW POWER The FCC reports an British authorities cite shortcomings in the proposed "incredible" public reaction to the TV mini -station 12 -4 -4 interface standards. PAGE 61. proposal. By comparison, there have been few queries from the public about the recent VHF drop -in action. PAGE NAB'S OFFER The association tells five proponents of 42. Among industry engineers, there is a feeling that there AM stereo systems that it is willing to oversee and are no great problems in connections with low-power TV, coordinate efforts to determine best method. PAGE 63. But feelings about drop -ins vary. PAGE 63. PROFILE CRT FORMULA SET The Copyright Royalty Tribunal THE LADY IS A CHAMP En route to the presidency of the issues its final guidelines for the distribution of nearly FCBA, Linda Cinciotta demonstrated her mettle in $15 million in royalties from cable in 1978. PAGE 44. successfully fighting attempts to deny the association its seat in the ABA. It's just one of many bright spots in the THE MALRITE WAY The NAB and Field record of the only woman partner in the communications Communications ask the FCC to stay repeal of cable law firm of Arent, Fox, Kintner, Plotkin & Kahn. PAGE 89. Index to departments Datebook 22 In Sync 64 Open Mike 28 Business Briefly 10 Editorials 90 Intermedia 58 Playback 60 Changing Hands 56 Fates & Fortunes 83 Monday Memo 30 Stock Index 87 Closed Circuit 9 For the Record 65 Monitor 60 Washington Watch 44 Broadcasting (ISSN 0007 -2028) is published 51 Mondays a year (combined issue at yearend) by Broadcasbng Publications Inc., 1735 DeSales Street. NW Washington, DC. 20036. Second -class postage paid at Washington. D.C., and additional oil ices. Single issue $1.50 except special Issues 52.50. Subscriptions. U.S. and possessions, one year $45. two years 585. three years 5120. Canadian and other international subscribers add St 2 per year. U.S. and possessions add SI55 yearly for special delivery, 590 lor first -class. Subscriber's occupation required. Weekly Playllst S12 annually. An- nually: Broadcasting Yearbook $55.00. Across the Dial -Around the Channels $3.95. 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