Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 20

6 Section 2 Chicago Tribune, Tuesday, September 16, 1980 STV: Another option in a changing market LBflTO 'if V'iK? lems for people who live in apartment buildings is that they frequently have to get the permission of the building owner (or association) before they can have the installer come out. In some buildings that won't be a problem; in others, Gordon says, On TV must make an arrangement with the Master Antenna service companies, who are interested in a little cut of the action. In other words, people who live in high-rises may get hit for an additional' charge above the $52.95, but lest we forget people who live in high-rises account for only about 6 per cent of the TV audience Gordon is going after, so it's not such a big deal after all. WHAT ABOUT X-rated movies? The On TV Chicago policy, for the time being at least, is to offer no hard R- or X-rated movies. However, they stress that, unlike Showtime or satellite cable service, they can and will customize programming to meet consumer desires.

When the good citizens of Phoenix, for instance, expressed a desire to see more adult programming, On TV devised a way to oblige. In Phoenix, a year after On TV started there, subscribers now have the option of paying an additional $4.95 a month for lour adult films and "Vanessa" among them). They come on at the end of the programming day and parents concerned about their children can have a keylock device installed lor about $15. Chicago could and, in my view, should expect a similar option on their STV system down the line. Another issue that may trouble some of you involves privacy.

The On TV decoder installed-in your home includes an addressability feature that means it can be turned on and off from the station. If you get too far behind in your $21.95 a month, you can be sure they will address themselves to the off button. What else can they do through the decoder? Oak Communications president John Gwin laughs when he says that the equip Marilynn Preston including "10," "Grease," "Norma Rae," "Equus," "Interiors." "Hooper," and "Same Time, Next Year" all of them run without cuts, commercials, or sticky cola under your feet, and all in the privacy of your own home. Gordon, who is very wise in the ways of consumer marketing, knows that after six months or so, subscribers will tire of feature films. He calls that the "But What Have You Done for Me Lately?" syndrome, and that's why he is working on profitable ways to present local sports, theater, and concert attractions.

It is not inconceivable, for instance, that down the line, you could tune in to Channel 44 and see the Organic Theater's "Warp" trilogy or travel out to a country music concert at Ravinia without leaving your favorite living room chair. NATURALLY, THE FCC had to approve Channel 44 becoming an STV station because, after all, the airwaves are supposed to belong to the public, and the public is used to getting access to Channel 44 programming for free. But from all of its actions in the last few months, the FCC is rapidly moving to diversify and deregulate the television business. Giving the green light to companies such as On TV, who think they can make a profit selling movies to movie-hungry TV watchers, fits into the government's grand plan of stimulating competition. The advantage to you is that you can buy a consumer-directed TV service that you want instead of having to put up with an advertiser-designed TV service that wants you.

Naturally, there is a cost, and the people who up subscribers and arrange for installation at On TV (635-9500) or at Sears (865-4444) would be happy to give you the details. One small detail presenting some prob- 9 p.m. 32 "Don Lane." Singers Chubby Checker and Tom Waites. 9:30 p.m. 11 "John Callaway Inter-views." Germaine Greer.

10:30 p.m. 5 "Tonight." Bette Midler and David Brenner. 11:30 p.m. 5 "Tomorrow." Ken Stabler, author Nancy Friday, and Michelle Smith and Dr. Lawrence Pazder, coauthors of "Michelle Remembers." 1 a.m.

5 "Toni Tennille." Smokey Robinson, Dick Van Patten, and Elizabeth Ashley. ndcp2 Are AAA 7 I ft" iAxV i ft '''v'lil I ar TIM AYBE YOU'VE HEARD about STV coming to Chicagoland, and maybe you haven't. It's not a bird, or a plane, and although in time many may choose to string themselves out on STVj it is not one of those drugs designed to anesthetize large animals that are now so popular with the younger set. STV is the acronym for Subscription Television, which is what the On TVChicago people call pay television. Pay I guess, sounds too much like money.

And STV does cost money about $52.95 to install the antenna and decoder, and $21.95 a month to watch the movies, sports, and concerts over Channel 44 which means it is one more option you and I face in a revolutionary process- that is rapidly redefining television in Chicago. A handful of Chicagoans now get Showtime (a pay cable option available in some high-rises with a microwave setup). And all city residents can expect cable within the next few years. (Public meetings are being held in City Council chambers Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings this week.) But STV is the first pay-TV service available to anyone living within a 40-mile radius of Chicago, and because next week is premiere week, I think it's time to discuss it so those of you wilh the cash or curiosity can make at least a timely, if not wise, decision. TO BEGIN WITH.

On TV Chicago is the official name of the new entertainment service, and it is a joint venture between two mediawise Chicagoans, Irving Harris and Alan Silverman, and Oak Communications, the Oak Industries subsidiary that is the nation's largest STV operator. The On TV folks have STV stations in Phoenix, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, and Los Angeles. The L.A. operation is the biggest.

It started in 1977 with 500 subscribers, and today has more than 300,000. The general manager of On TVChicago, David Gordon, is confident the Chicago market will develop just as well. I think he's right. The whole adventure officially begins at 7 p.m. Sept.

22 when On TV will scramble the Channel 44 signal and take over the airwaves that night and every night thereafter with a programming package designed for Chicago subscribers. The first 6 weeks includes an amazing array of 30 feature films Tuesday's TV talk 6:09 a.m. 7 "Perspectives." Historic places in the North Loop redevelopment project 6:30 a.m. 2 "It's Worth Knowing" (RX Coping with in-law problems. Part I.

9 a.m. 7 "A.M. Chicago." Actors Cliff Warner and Christine Ebersole. 11 a.m. 9 "Donahue." Spouses suing each other.

Noon 5 "News Jorie Lneloff." Earl Mindell, author of "Vitamin Bible." 1 p.m. 11. "Dick Cavett" (R). Joan Plowright and Sir Laurence Olivier. 6 p.m.

li "Dick Cavett" ttU Sarah Vaughn. Tuesday's TV highlights denotes closed-captioning. 7 p.m. 5 "Shogun" 9 Second of a five-part serialization of James Clavell's best seller. 7 p.m.

11 "Nova" (PX "Race for Gold." The 1976 Olympic Games, in which East Germany's athletes won 40 gold medals. 7 p.m. 32 "PM Magazine." Features include a look at the making of a Secret Service agent and a discussion of veins. 7:30 p.m. 7 "Laverne Shirley" (R In the second of two parts, Laverne and Shirley join the Army.

8 p.m. 7 "Three's Company" (R). To impress his childhood rival, Ralph introduces Chrissy as his wife. 8 p.m. 11 "The Voyage of Charles Darwin" (R).

Darwin completes his survey of wildlife on the Galapagos Islands. 8:30 p.m. 7 "Taxi" (R). In the first of a two-part episode, Elaine leads the cabbies in a walkout for safer working conditions. 9 p.m.

2 "Lynda Carter Encore!" Lynda Carter is joined by Merle Haggard, Tom Jones, jazz virtuoso John Phillips, and 12-year-old classical pian ist Donald Yung. 9 p.m. 5 "Quincy. Special first-run episode centering on a small in duslrial city's opposition to a newly established medical examiner. 9 p.m.

11 "Superstar Profile." Gene Wilder is interviewed. 10:30 p.m. 11 "Palestine." Second of a three-part history ot the Jewish state. i attempt rash 4- Js. A quest for identity.

A thirst for power. A taste of love. Richard Chamberlain as John Blackthorne. Yoko Shimada as Mariko. sfsss? ment is not capable ot sending a signal.

What about the data On TV may have one day concerning who watches the skin flicks? Is it possible that the wrong people may someday steal or buy or otherwise arrange to get hold of this material and use it in a way that violates our right to privacy? Yes, it's possible, but again, Oak Communication's president says it'll never bap-pen. WITHOUT SOUNDING too paranoid about all of this, I want to remind you that never is a long time. Anyone who brings new technology into his home ought to be aware of the potential for abuse. Which reminds me of some people I know who have a tendency to watch too much TV and are afraid of signing up for STV. It's too good, too tempting, too easy to spend the night with a great triple feature like "Magic," "Norma Rae," and "The Warriors" and wake up the next day wishing you'd spent time with the kids instead.

These people will avoid STV like the plague. Like the plague, too much good TV can make you sick. Ever! rThoo rf 10: meeS5teB i.him Our'" I fcr I i rTT, sl V- A-l" 'I'm i Tuesday pS) 7PM jCD 13 a tTII.