(1933) NBC -KPO Network Dissolves April 1 Cost of Long Wire Hauls Held Partially Responsible
General business conditions, and more particularly the high cost of the long wire hauls, are believed to have prompted the decision of NBC to suspend the operation of its NBC KPO or “Gold” network created more than a year ago when NBC secured control of various stations of the Northwest Broadcasting System, which Adolph Linden unsuccessfully sought to make the nucleus of a new national network.
Dissolution of the “Gold” network is effective April 1, Don Gilman, Pacific division vice president, has announced. The NBC KPO or “Orange” network will operate as heretofore, but will also take “Blue” network programs formerly routed on the other chain. Two of the NBC KPO network features to be moved immediately are the Westinghouse “Townsend Murder Mystery” series and Pepsodent’s “The Goldbergs.” KPO, San Francisco, leased last year from Hale Brothers department store and the San Francisco Chronicle, joint owners, will continue to be served with some network programs but will stress transcriptions.
On April 1 it is scheduled to boost its power to 50 kw. under the recent grant of the Radio Commission.
The NBC KPO network has included KECA, Los Angeles, which will be operated independently by Earle C. Anthony, owner; KJR, Seattle; KEX, Portland, and KGA, Spokane. The latter three are Northwest Broadcasting System stations. Their ownership continues with NBC but they will be operated independently of network connections. KJR has been leased to the operators of KOMO.
The NBC KGO network remains undisturbed, linking from KGO as key the following stations: KBFI, Los Angeles; KGW, Portland; KOMO, Seattle, and KHQ, Spokane.
KOMO Leases KJR
Management of KOMO and KJR, both Seattle, have been merged under Birt F. Fisher, manager of KOMO, with the leasing of KJR to O. D. Fisher, operator of KOMO. The NBC, which acquired KJR when it took over stations of the Northwest Broadcasting System, has leased the station to the Fishers. Plans call for new studios in new locations for each station and a new transmitter for KJR. Offices after April 15 will be in the Skinner Bldg. (BROADCASTING MAGAZINE)
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