MANAGEMENT: Static at ABC

When Robert Edmonds Kintner, 47, became president of American Broadcasting Co. in 1949, he took over some troubles. Kintner, a former Washington reporter (New York Herald Tribune), columnist

(Alsop and Kintner) and author (Men Around the President), became boss of a network with annual billings of $43,734,845, a net loss of $519,085. By last year, however, ABC’s TV billings alone had climbed to $51,393,434, and it was operating in the black (in the first nine months this year, American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres’ earnings were up to $6,616,000 from $5,286,000 last year). Kintner also built up his programming with top TV shows (Omnibus, Lawrence Welk, Disneyland, Bishop Sheen), expanded ABC’s network (now up to 215 affiliated TV stations). But he failed to match the other networks’ vast increase in total radio-TV billings; from 1949 to 1955 ABC’s billings rose 73% (to an estimated $76 million a year), NBC’s went up 170% (to an estimated $192 million) and CBS’s jumped 253% (to an estimated $235 million). Last week ABC’s owners, American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, Inc., decided that the network was not moving fast enough; they forced Kintner to quit.

One-Man Show. Explained ABC-Paramount President Leonard Goldenson: “ABC television sales are not up to expectations for the 1956-57 broadcasting season. Fall sales of the important Mickey Mouse daytime TV program are considerably below those of last year.” Actually, Kintner has had his troubles ever since Paramount Theatres took over cash-short ABC in a $25 million stock-swapping deal three years ago. Paramount then paid off ABC’s $7,662,000 debt, put in a handful of Paramount executives, including three new ABC vice presidents. Two of them later resigned, one after he lost $1,800,000 for the company by programming college football games that got few sponsors. But Parent Paramount grumbled that Kintner never allowed ABC’s Paramount men any power, that he ran ABC as a one-man show. Paramount wanted Kintner to delegate more responsibility, put together a stronger top management staff, expand his network faster.

ABC insiders concede that Bob Kintner kept a close rein on the newcomers from Paramount. But he gave plenty of authority to the able old ABC hands; e.g., Vice President John Daly has almost full policy-making and operations control over the news, special events, sports and foreign affairs.

“Substantial Dispute.” Finally, President Goldenson’s dump-Kintner campaign won over 13 of the 17 directors on the company’s board, which is heavy with Paramount men. Kintner sent a cold letter of resignation to “Dear Mr. Goldenson,” stating that “We are in substantial dispute concerning policies relating to the organization and operation of ABC.” Goldenson then personally took charge of ABC, promised to find a new president later.

At week’s end Bob Kintner prepared to take a long vacation in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Said he: “I love everybody”-presumably including Goldenson. He had good reason. His severance settlement was close to $300,000.