Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1952-03-28
- LElENSL0N DISCOVERS MAIN STREET
TV Industry Plans Grossroots Expansion

CTbI IS The t,st of series Of three
s'tietes on The coming Of nationwide
fsleDision sernee.)
The television industry is on the
threshold of a vast new expansion
program, sweep across the grass
roots OF America. It is ready to
bring the glittering lights of Broad
way, the dramas of Shakespeare
and Shaw, the impromptu debates
OF world statesmen onto the illumi-
mated screens of homes in every
section of the nation.
Television today is a regional
service, confined mainly to the
major population centers. But the
way is being cleared by the govern
ment for television to become as
much household commodity as
radio.
The foundation has been pre-
pared. A chain of microwave radio
relay towers and a set of coaxial
cables now carry video signals
coast to coast and into sixty major
market areas. And science has
devised a means of broadcasting
these signals over a new section of
the air waves, as well as those now
in use, to the farmer, the rancher
and the village miles removed
from present TV stations.
Because of this scientific develop
ment, the government has proposed
the licensing of nearly 1000 new
television stations. Towns like
Broken Bow, Neb.; Elroy, Ariz.
and Bad Axe, Mich, might soon
enjoy the same visual programs
that millions watch today in New
York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Nationwide Service
In the opinion of DR.. c. B. Jol-
life, vice president and techni-
cal director of the Radio Corpora
ton of America, this scientific
achievement can mean "the advent
of truly nationwide television
service, service that will provide
the Main Streets of America with
the same entertainment, education
and information programs that
more densely populated areas have
known for several years"
In terms of specific programs, it
means that comedians like Jimmy
Durante, Martin and Lewis, Milton
Berle, Bob Hope and Herb Shriner
can become regular visitors to
homes in villages, cities and even
entire states where no video signal
now reaches.
1t can mean an intimate look at
statesmen and politicians through
such programs as IN e ct the
Press" "America's Forum OF The
Air." and Edward R. Murrow's
"See It Now" It can mean great
drama through the "Television
Play House." and great music on
various televised symphonies and
operas, such as MICS "Amahl And
The Night Visitors" It can mean
early evening entertainment for
the children with "Howdy Doody"
and 'Kukla, Fran and Ollie"
And it can mean that all these
will come forth on home
screens with the same picture fl
deity and clarity as in the estab-
lished television centers of the ma
ton. For there can be enough sta
tons to bring full strength video
signal within range of nearly every
one.
The Frequency-Allocation plan
for this dramatic expansion was
developed by the Federal Com
Commission, which is
the governments regulatory agency
g. "a
lively pinpointed the location for
each Of nearly 1000 stations as a
first step toward offering TV sta
tons licenses to these communities.
Pioneering Science
Behind this government action is
a colorful tale of pioneering explor-
alton by the scientists and engineers