Share the Time

On California's Monterey peninsula last week, two separate TV stations, about 14 miles apart in Monterey and Salinas, began beaming test patterns on the same channel (No. 8). It promised to be a friendly, take-turns arrangement. Monterey's KMBY-TV (one quarter owned by Bing Crosby) and Salinas' KSBW-TV had both applied to the FCC for the area's one open channel. Then they decided to pool forces rather than delay local television, perhaps for another year or so, while struggling through lengthy hearings. The FCC granted them its first share-time permit last February.

Regular telecasting will begin Sept. 11, with each station using its own staff and studios (but sharing the same transmitter atop Mount Toro). The stations will telecast a combined total of 85 hours a week --splitting the week nights and taking Sundays by turn. Four other share-time permits have been granted to stations in Rochester, N.Y., Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix, and Kansas City, Mo.

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