TV Satellite Proposed

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31128, 3 August 1966, Page 17

TV Satellite Proposed

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) NEW YORK, Aug. 2.

The Ford Foundation yesterday proposed the creation of a communications satellite system that would enable America’s struggling non-com-mercial television to expand its cultural and educational services, A.A.P.-Reuter reported.

The system would inject a non-profit “second force” into United States television, at present dominated by commercial companies, the Ford Foundation president, Mr McGeorge Bundy said. Mr Bundy said five satellites, orbiting at an altitude of 22,000 miles would cover the whole United States including Alaska and Hawaii. Under the proposed system, television audiences would have a wider choice of programmes, including more cultural and educational shows. The three commercial television networks in the United

States endorsed the proposal of a communications satellite system for distributing programmes, the “New York Times” news service reported. The commercial networks said that the Ford idea held the promise of providing financial stability for educational television while reducing the networks costs in delivering shows to affiliated stations. Heart of Plan

The heart of the Ford plan is the assumption, shared by virtually all communications economists and engineers, that the future of television networks lies in satellites placed In fixed positions over the four different time zones of the United States.

Television programmes would be beamed skyward a distance of 22,300 miles, to an electronic sphere in synchronous orbit with the earth’s rotation, thus giving the effect of a fixed facility in the sky.

The satellite then beams the programmes back to earth for rebroadcast over conventional television stations. Mr Bundy, a former White House aide, told a press conference the foundation had submitted its proposal in a letter to the United States Federal Communications Commission. Share Cost He said that the foundation would share the cost of running the satellites, which would be used by both noncommercial and commercial television. Some of the savings that commercial companies would make by using the satellites, instead of costly land lines, would be passed on to noncommercial television, he said.