TV Networks Under Review

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27993, 13 June 1956, Page 9

TV Networks Under Review

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright). NEW YORK. June 12. The United States television industry, which in 10 years has grown from a gadget to a giant, is facing a series of investigations and controversies. The “New York Times.” reporting this today, said that in Washington tomorrow the television networks would open a detailed defence of their policies against charges that they had established a monopoly in furnishing entertainment for the home screen. Three Congressional committees, the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department were scrutinising these policies, the report said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (for the Justice Department) had been questioning executives of the major advertising agencies, independent producers and network officials. The newspaper said the big networks, the Columbia Broadcasting System and the National Broadcasting Company, contended that the existing structure of network television —which provides all the big programmes in the country—was under serious threat by new regulations being considered. These could jeopardise the public service function of television, they said.