Boston Gets Commercial TV

Boston started June 1948 with no television. It had two stations before the end of the month.

There were television transmissions in the early ‘30s in Boston by the Shortwave & Television Co.’s W1XAV. General Television received a license to put experimental station W1XG on the air in 1934.

Westinghouse’s radio station operations filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission on March 22, 1944 for a commercial television station in Boston to operate on Channel 5. Television magazine noted in May 1945 that General Television had withdrawn its application to go commercial and leased W1XG’s transmitter and studios to Twentieth Century-Fox, which then applied for an experimental station. The story also pointed out there were only 15 sets in Boston, all owned by General Television.

It took two years for the FCC to decide to hand Westinghouse a construction permit for a TV station. It happened Aug. 12, 1946. Walter E. Benoit of Washington declared to the Boston Globe “As soon as equipment and facilities are available, television will be placed in operation in the Boston area.” Television Digest of Aug. 17 added the owners of WBZ and WBZ-FM were granted Channel No. 4 (66-72 me) with 10 kw visual power, 7.5 kw aural power, 500 ft. antenna height. The same trade paper, on Nov. 16, 1946, said the station had been assigned the call-letters WBZ-TV.

It took some time to get things ready. The papers tracked the progress. Here's what Television magazine said in its July 1947 issue:

WBZ-TV, Westinghouse station in Boston, will be on the air with test programs by the end of the year and will inaugurate a regular television program service early next year, according to W. C. Swartley, station manager. New radio-television center now under construction, will include a 40x45 foot television studio, with a mezzanine operations room for technicians, producers, etc.; an auditorium type studio equipped for television; make-up rooms, film studios, and a film vault. Also included will be garages for the WBZ-TV mobile unit, which will pick up special events throughout the area and relay them to the center for broadcast.

Billboard, Aug. 2, 1947:

Boston Tele Preps' For Remote Pick-Ups
BOSTON, July 26.—Boston's first television station, WBZ-TV, now being constructed on a 10-acre tract adjoining Harvard Stadium, will be equipped with an RCA microwave relay unit for use as needed in remote pick-ups. In announcing this new equipment, W. H. Hauser, chief engineer of the New England Westinghouse stations, said it was being installed so that all special event requirements in the metropolitan Boston area could be met where co-axial lines from the pick-up point were not available.
The added coverage will bring plenty of Boston and suburban sport events within range of the tele station. Suffolk Downs Race Track, Wonderful Dog Track, and the stadia of Harvard, Boston College, Boston University, Tufts, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other colleges will be within easy reach.
Test patterns are expected to be aired late this year, and Jordan Marsh, the department store head, reports early customer-interest in television sets.

Variety, Aug. 27, 1947:

WBZ-TV's Mobile Unit
Boston, Aug. 26.
WBZ-TV, Hub's first video outfit readying for fall debut, acquired a mobile television unit this week for spot coverage. No tests are planned for some time but vehicle, a special unit on a Chevy chassis, is being used for personnel training under direction of W. H. Hauser, WBZ-TV chief engineer.
Outfit has a two-camera video pickup plus Microwave Relay Unit for relaying spot coverage back to main transmitter when coaxial lines are not available. It's figured that new WBZ studios, under construction in Alliston, will be ready by Christmas. New building will house television center as well as standard band. FM, administrative staff plus shortwave affiliate WBOS.

Broadcasting, Oct. 13, 1947

WBZ's Radio-TV Center Cornerstone to Be Laid
CORNERSTONE will be laid for Boston area's new Westinghouse-WBZ Radio and Television Center at ceremonies next Thursday[16] in suburban Allston. Vice President Walter E. Benoit of the broadcasting division will head the list of Westinghouse officials participating. Other speakers include WBZ Manager W. C. Swartley and W. H. Hauser, chief engineer.
Ceremonies will be broadcast 1:30-1:45 p.m. on WBZ-WBZA Boston-Springfield. A tape recording of the program, and other mementos of the day, will be placed in the cornerstone.
Television programs, including NBC network video shows, are scheduled to take the air over WBZ-TV, sometime prior to March 1, 1948.

Something else had to be done. There was no coaxial cable to Boston, which meant no network feed from network. Billboard, Nov. 22, 1947, reported on the solution.

ATT Launches N.Y.-Boston Radio Relay
Big Step in Tele Networking
NEW YORK, Nov. 15.—Television networking made a major gain this week when American Telephone & Telegraph Company (ATT) Thursday (13) inaugurated radio relay service between New York and Boston. The system, based on microwave relays perched atop seven hills between this city and the Hub, can handle several hundred phone conversations and a limited number of television transmissions simultaneously.
A demonstration of the facilities also inaugurated the world's longest existing television network, flashing images from Boston to Washington and vice versa, some 500 miles. The pictures were routed thru New York City, the coaxial cable between New York and Washington serving as a second link in the network and proving the possibility of combining radio relay and coaxial transmission.
Opens Big Market
The New York to Boston link cost an estimated $2,000,000 to install. It opens in conjunction with the Washington hookup, a market of 25,000,000 potential television viewers. A New York to Chicago relay system is now under construction and further experimentation will determine which transmission system is the more practical. The Chicago line is to be finished in about 18 months.
The ATT demonstration, which used both live pickups and film, resulted in an excellent picture, with no loss of fidelity in transmission. Program was aired by WABC, WCBS-TV and WNBT in New York; WFIL-TV and WPTZ, Philadelphia; WMAR-TV, Baltimore; WMAL-TV, WNBW and WTTG, Washington, and WRBG, Schenectady.
As matters stand now NBC will benefit most thru the Boston link, since its affiliate, WBZ-TV (Westinghouse) is to be the first Boston telecaster, due on the air in a few months. Yankee Network's tele station is now being built, with service due probably in the fall of next year. Since there are now no Boston video facilities, NBC mobile equipment did the pickup for this week's demonstration.

Even though the station wasn’t on the air, the WBZ-TV remote truck was used on Jan. 22, 1948 to relay a broadcast of the approach of the beam trawler Dorchester to the Boston Fish Pier on NBC stations in Schenectady, Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia—in the middle of a snowstorm. A special telecast of films of the spring training action of Boston’s two baseball clubs was sent by microwave from the WJZ-TV studio to the Boston Electrical Show, April 3 to 10. Then on May 11, it was announced both teams would televise their home games on the eventually-two Boston stations.

The weather continued to be a problem, making it impossible for engineers to put up the transmitter tower. Dates of testing and the start of programming kept being postponed. The Christian Science Monitor reported on the first tests in its issues of June 3 and 4.

WBZ-TV Shows `Preview' Of Regular Video
A limited television schedule of 60 minutes daily of motion pictures and films by Station WBZ-TV, prior to "T-Day," June 9, was initiated today by Westinghouse officials in Boston. The program, on Channel 4, in the 66-72-mega-cycle region, was, and will continue to be, telecast from 12 noon to 1 p.m., daylight time.
The new video plant at Allston, Mass. next to the Harvard Stadium, will be dedicated with special ceremonies beginning at 6:15 p.m., on Wednesday, Mr. Swartley said. At that time visual greeting will be telecast by leading national and local civic, religious, and business leaders.
WBZ-TV's telecasting schedule after T-Day will be limited initially, Mr. Swartley explained, with regular programs scheduled Wednesday through Sunday at 7 p.m.
“We plan no television pro-grams on Mondays and Tuesdays with the exception of baseball games,” Mr. Swartley said.
He disclosed that on Wednesday, WBZ-TV, furthermore, would join the National Broadcasting Company's television network. This link, now largely regional, extends from Boston south to Richmond. Va., though it is being pushed farther South to Atlanta, Ga., and west to Chicago.
Among the Wednesday network NBC television programs are television newsreels at 7:50 p.m. and 10 p.m.; "In the Kitchen," with Alma Kitchell, at 8:30 p.m., and a 60-minute drama in "Television Theater." at 9 p.m. WBZ-TV test patterns will continue on a regular transmission schedule, Mr. Swartley added, to enable local service personnel the opportunity in line up receivers. The test pattern is a geometric-figured diagram placed before the TV cameras of WBZ-TV which permits both station engineers and television set dealers to tune up their equipment and receivers for a clearer and sharper picture.

First Program in Boston Telecast; WBZ-TV Shows Three Short Movies
By Albert D. Hughes
Radio Editor of The Christian Science Monitor
A Panagra film short depicting a flight over company routes from the Canal Zone to Bolivia was included in the first modern television program telecast yesterday [3] in Boston by Westinghouse Station WBZ-TV.
Reception was clear though marred slightly by local "man-made" static at the Massachusetts Trade School, 100 Massachusetts Avenue, where several receivers were tuned into the program. Due to technical difficulties, the picture program, scheduled at noon, did not go on the air until 12:40 p. m.
Other films, one a United States Army recruiting feature, and a local short showing the arts and crafts classes organized by the Metropolitan Chapter of the American Red Cross for veterans in local hospitals, were also shown.
Today, Westinghouse showed three films beginning at noon. One was "Let's Stop Starvation," a United Nations appeal for aid to European children; the second was "We of the West Riding," a British Information Office film showing life in the northern English county of Yorkshire; the last film, second part of yesterday's airline travelogue, took travelers on down the South and East Coasts of South America.
The Red Cross film drew comment because of the local scenes shown, such as the sign and driveway at the West Roxbury Veterans Hospital.
Evidence of the great interest in television in Boston was shown by the crowd which quickly gathered in the small room in the Trade School where several sets were turned on. Only two per. sons were on hand when the DBZ-TV [sic] programs began. In a short while classrooms of the school began to fill as word went around quickly in the corridors. "Television!"
Westinghouse officials also re-ported, crowds gathered outside radio stores about Boston where picture receivers were tuned into the WBZ-TV program.

WJZ-TV formally began programming on June 9, 1948. The NBC relay worked just fine. Here is the report from Broadcasting of June 14.

WBZ-TV Formally Opened at Boston
Inaugural Features Government, Business, Religious Leaders
COMMENTS on television's impact by government and business officials and religious leaders featured the formal dedication of WBZ-TV Boston and expansion of its program service last Wednesday evening [BROADCASTING, June 7].
Inaugural program gotunderway at 6:30 p.m. from the Boston studios of WBZ and WBZA Springfield, Mass., with brief talks by several religious leaders. Among their comments was this one by the Most Rev. Richard J. Cushing, D. D., Catholic archbishop of Boston:
"Recreational, spiritual and cultural posibilities of this medium cannot be fully estimated. It will be a healthy and wholesome service to the spiritually-minded ... It will be a happy medium for pleasant and profitable diversion."
Speaking on behalf of business, C. Lawrence Muench, new president of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, said in part: "I have considered my radio indispensable, and now realize that my radio is blind." Mr. Muench forsees numerous possibilities for business and public relations through television.
On the governmental side Boston's Mayor Curley pointed out that a public servant "can no longer be unaware of his appearance. Television will have a great impact on the future of all public servants."
Also appearing on the inaugural program was Gov. Robert F. Bradford of Massachusetts,who recalled his first television experience last winter when NBC, in cooperation with WBZ-TV, televised Boston Fish Pier activities.
Other participants were J. B. Conley, general manager of Westinghouse Radio Stations Inc., Philadelphia, and W. C. Swartley, WBZ station manager.
WBZ-TV is operating on Channel 4 (66-72 mc), and its programming includes a full evening schedule beginning at 7, plus big league baseball and other Boston events.

Television's June 1948 issue looked at sponsors and programming, both local and network.

WBZ-TV Boston
Opening of Westinghouse's WBZ-TV in Boston adds another link to the Eastern seaboard network and another affiliate to NBC. First television outlet to open in the nation's fifth market area, WBZ-TV's coverage is estimated as serving a 40-mile radius, with a population of nearly three million people. Programs will be telecast over channel 4. Westinghouse also has applications on file in Pittsburgh and Portland.
Initial schedule calls for Wednesday through Sunday programming, beginning at 6:55 each evening. Afternoon pickups will feature the home games of both the Red Sox and the Braves and station will also telecast these events on the "off" days, Monday and Tuesday, when the line-up requires it. Bulk of their programming will be relayed over the A.T. & T. radio relay from NBC, but Saturday night's fare will be purely local. Emphasis is on news, with such daily five minute features as a news tape preceding evening shows; the "Daily Newsteller," the" INS Newsreel," "Views and News of New England," using Boston Post pictures and the WBZ newsreel, a Saturday feature. The 10 minute Camel Newsreel Theatre will be relayed three times weekly. Station has also contracted for the Korda films, shown Sunday night at 9.
Studios will be located in the Radio-Television Center, which has one large auditorium studio with stage 28' x 30' and another 40'x 50'.Facilities include four studio image orthicon cameras, 16mm and 35 mm film projectors and complete mobile equipment, including four image orthicon cameras.
On the commercial side, the outlook is bright, withabout 70% of its program time commercially sponsored (based on an average of 20 hours a week, excluding baseball.) This includes such network sponsors as Kraft, Lucky Strike, Camel, Swift, Gillette, Kelvinator, Motorola, Gulf, U.S. Rubber, Kools, General Electric and General Foods. Local accounts include Atlantic Refining and Narragansett Brewing, co-sponsors of the ballgames; Bulova, Clinton Clothing Mfg. Co., John Donnelly & Sons Advertising, Esso Standard Oil of New Jersey, Filene's, First National Bank, Haffenreffer & Co., Jordan March, Mass. Cooperative Bank League and National Shawmut Bank of Boston.
Station is staffed by W. C. Swartley, station manager; W. H. Hauser, chief engineer; W. Gordon Swan, program manager, and C. Herbert Masse, sales manager.

And the story in the Boston Globe the day after the broadcast:

Historic Date
Boston's First Day of Television
By ELIZABETH SULLIVAN
Globe Radio Editor
How did you like it ... you sidewalk brigade who viewed the debut of television from the store windows of Boston last night?
Would you like to know how the show was put on?
Many weeks went into its preparation. Leaders of the three dominant faiths were invited long ago to start off the inaugural ceremonies. As you know, the weather delayed T-Day and since these men are extremely busy fulfilling engagements, it was possible they would be out of town just when they were needed at WBZ. So WBZ officials sent cameramen to film them at their offices, or at the film studio where WBZ does special work.
Dean Edwin van Etten and C. Lawrence Muench, new president of the Chamber of Commerce, were filmed at the studio, while Archbishop Cushing, Gov. Bradford and Mayor Curley were filmed in their executive offices. Dean van Etten looked most comfortable as he rocked casually in an easy chair. Mr. Muench looked as if he were speaking from atop a tall building but that was an aerial view of Boston banging on the wall. It was so appropriate, for his talk was on the scenic beauty of Boston as seen from atop the John Hancock building. Smart people, these television execs!
This film part of the show was run off at the transmitter site in Allston, where WBZ has just completed its new steel television tower. Signals making up the film were sent from the new building beside the tower through a co-axial cable up the tower and out over the air for television set owners to pick up. Incidentally, WBZ had the pleasure of picking up its own signals last night. All the receivers assembled in Studio A, where invited guests viewed the show, at the Bradford Hotel, tuned in WBZ-TV signals right from Allston. One antenna served the six sets in the studio, a clever engineering stunt.
Remember the group of young folks you saw sitting on a divan, with a coffee table nearby covered with goodies to eat? This presentation, put on under sponsorship of Filene’s, took place right in the WBZ studios at the Bradford. Cameras, lights and engineers were in a large rear studio televising the show. This was sent out of WBZ to Allston and then retransmitted for public consumption ... from the tall, steel tower.
When you saw Gov. Bradford, he was by film. . . made several weeks' ago. . and this film was out at the transmitter in Allston. On the other hand, Senator Leverett Saltonstall, who was down in Washington, was actually being interviewed when you saw him. Televised in Washington, his picture we sent by co-axial cable (an underground wire process) to WNBT, New York. From WNBT, it came to Boston over the air by microwave system, which is the telephone company's system to Bowdoon sq. from which point it was sent to the transmitter at Allston and here again WBZ turned in its own television signals.
J. B. Conley, general manager of broadcasting for Westinghouse, sat in a comfortable chair at the Bradford WBZ studio, surrounded by door lamps, open fireplace and carpeted floor, while television cameras were focused upon him. This was a live studio show, sent to the transmitter for telecast.
New Television Center
So there you have it. Some of the pictures were by film, some right from the studios of WBZ, in the Bradford and the Senator in a real live interview all the way from Washington by microwave system.
Very soon WBZ will be moving out to its new radio and television center in Allston. There will be no need then for the shifting back and forth ... from the Bradford to the transmitter ... as was necessary last night. Whether a show is live, or by film, it will go right out over the air from the new site.
Equipment to televise from WBZ studios last night was borrowed from the televan. This is a large van WBZ has equipped for outdoor television. You will see this truck at the ball games and at special events.
And while we're letting you in on secrets, let us tell you about that Indian head symbol you have been seeing during the past week while WBZ-TV has been putting on test patterns. The symbol has caused no amount of comment. We tracked it down last night.
Lynn Morrow, assistant sales manager of WBZ, thought it up. It signifies "tepee" ... get it? 'T.P"— for test picture!

The broadcast had the unenviable distinction of featuring a dead man.

BOSTON, June 9. (AP)—The death of Rabbi Joshua Loth Liebman, author of the best-seller Peace of Mind, came today shortly before he was to participate, via film, in the first television broadcast in Boston.
Officials of Station WBZ-TV were notified of his death less than half an hour before a movie showing Rabbi Liebman was to be televised.
Station Manager W. C. Swartley conferred with the clergyman’s relatives and friend. Swartley went on the air with an explanatory message stating that it was believed the noted rabbi would want the film used despite his death.
In the televised film, Rabbi Liebman prayed for a renewal of the spirit of religion.

We’ve talked about two Boston stations signing on in June, but there was a third that went on the air in New England. Folks in Holyoke, Massachusetts could pick it up and, in fact, it began tests the next day after WBZ-TV began full programming.

Here’s the Holyoke Transcript-Telegram of June 11.

Subway Café Mobbed At Its Television Goes Into Action

Television made its public debut in Holyoke last night at the Subway Cafe in John St., just below High. Altho tests were started at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon [10] with reception from WNHC-TV, "New Haven's Window on the Air," no pictures were flashed on the screen until 6 o'clock last night when the programs out of Boston on WBZ-TV were brought in.
Fred Pafik of 244 Oak St., owner and operator of the cafe, said today that altho he is satisfied with yesterday's test, he is already thinking of having the present piece of apparatus replaced with a larger and more expensive radio. The television set at the Subway, which was installed by the Holyoke Radio Supply Co., sells for $375 plus installation costs. The work was done by Wallace Foerster of 898 Main St.
This apparatus has a 12 by inch screen and Pafik hopes to have a radio with a screen 18 by 18 inches.
The attendant publicity in last night's edition of the T.-T. relative to the appearance of television at the Subway resulted in an overflow crowd thruout the night. At one point three police cruisers appeared on the scene due to an erroneous report that trouble was brewing at the cafe.
The test which started yesterday afternoon at 4 p. m. from New Haven merely flashed a test pattern on the screen. Vocal reception attended the testing with announcements made that WNHC-TV would go on the air Tuesday, June 15th on a tie-in with the Dumond [DuMont] Corporation out of New York city on Channel 5. The New Haven station will have a relay station at Hampden, Conn.
After WBZ-TV started telecasting at 6 last night, Foerster managed to bring it in immediately with a very strong "signal" or in other words, a clear picture on the screen. The station is on Channel 4 and Foerster believes that even better reception can be expected on Channel 5 from New Haven, due to the fact that the relay station at Hampden will boost the "signals" into this area.
The receiving set at the Subway was set up on a table at the east end of the cafe. Pafik today stated that a special platform is already under construction which will have the radio set up almost to the ceiling and stationed in this position, patrons can get a much better view of the picture.
Last night's telecast out of Boston comprised mostly drama, altho an orchestra, complete with vocalists, and newscasts were also received here. Pafik admitted that business was unusually good last night. As a couple of television and bar customers said. "You pay for a movie—the least you can do is to 'have a few' when you're watching this screen."

Here’s the first week’s schedule for WBZ-TV.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9
10-noon—Test Patterns. 1:00-4:00—Test Patterns. 6:15—Boston Scenes. 6:25—Test Pattern and News Tape. 6:30—WBZ-TV Inaugural Program including: Dean Edwin J. van Etten, Archbishop Richard J. Cushing, Rabbi Joshua Loth Liebman, Mayor James M. Curley. 6:54—National Sports Gallery. 7:00—Kit Carson Serial. 7:20—Big Broadcast, cartoon. 7:25—Nightly Newsteller. 7:30—New England Holiday. 7:42—Weather. 7:45—Coming Attractions. 7:47—Talk by Gov. Robert F. Bradford. 7:50—Newsreel Theatre, sponsored by Camel cigarettes (NBC). 8:00—Magic Words. 8:12—Future Look, Mrs. Mary Wight, H.D. Hodgkinson interview young boys. 8:27—Kisses to You. 8:30—“In the Kelvinator Kitchen,” with Alma Kitchell (NBC). 8:45—Story of the Week with Richard C. Harkness (NBC). 9:00—Kraft Television Theatre (NBC). 10:00—To be announced. 11:00—INS News. 11:05—News and View of New England. 11:10—Sign Off

THURSDAY, JUNE 10
10-noon—Test Patterns. 1:00-4:00—Test Patterns. 4:00—INS Newsreel. 6:30—Test Patterns. 6:55—Newstape. 7:00—Film, “Fighting with Kit Carson,” John Mack Brown, Noah Beery, Sr., Noah Berry, Jr. 7:30—Jack and the Beanstalk, cartoon (Iwerks, 1933). 7:40—Stop Starvation (Children’s Crusade). 7:50—Newsreel Theatre, sponsored by Camel cigarettes (NBC). 8:00—Salt Water Wonderland. 8:15—Nature of Things, with Dr. Roy K. Marshall (NBC). 8:30—Lanny Ross Show, sponsored by Kraft. (NBC) 9:00—You Are an Artist with John Gnagy, sponsored by Gulf. (NBC). 9:15—NBC Newsroom. 9:30—Barney Blake, Police Reporter (NBC). 10:00—INS News 10:05—Views of New England. 10:10—Sign Off.

FRIDAY, JUNE 11
10-noon—Test Patterns. 1:00-4:00—Test Patterns. 4:00—INS Newsreel. 6:30—Test Patterns. 6:55—Newstape. 7:00—Film, “Fighting with Kit Carson,” John Mack Brown, Noah Beery, Sr., Noah Berry, Jr. 7:20—Coming Attractions. 7:30—Preamble to Peace (U.S. Army). 7:42—Bold King Cole, cartoon (Van Beuren, 1936). 7:50—Newsreel Theatre, sponsored by Camel cigarettes (NBC). 8:00—Sports Time. 8:15—New England Calling 8:49—Big Bad Wolf. 9:00—Sports Reports. 9:15—Newsreel. 9:25—“Gillette Cavalcade of Sports” from Madison Square Garden (NBC). 10:00—Boxing feature match (NBC). 10:30—INS News. 10:35—Views and News of New England. 10:40—Sign Off.

SATURDAY, JUNE 12
9:00-10:00—Test Patterns. 1:00-5:00—Test Patterns. 4:00—INS Newsreel. 6:30—Test Patterns. 6:55—Newstape. 7:00—Film, “Fighting with Kit Carson,” John Mack Brown, Noah Beery, Sr., Noah Berry, Jr. 7:20—Coming Attractions. 7:25—Daily Newsteller. 7:30—Julius Caesar. 7:50—WBZ Newsreel. 7:55—INS Documentary. 8:00—Little Ballerina. 9:00—Instruments of Orchestra. 9:23—INS News. 9:28—Views and News of New England. 9:30—Sign Off.

SUNDAY, JUNE 13
5:30—INS Newsreel. 6:30—Test Patterns. 6:55—News Tape. 7:00—Life of St. Paul. 7:20—Coming Attractions. 7:25—Daily Newsteller. 7:30—Sea Going Thrills (Castle film). 7:40—Weekend in Bermuda (Pan-Am, 1945). 7:50—Sunday Newsteller. 8:00—Film. 8:30—NBC Play House. 9:00—Home Theatre, Alexander Korda Film “Q-Planes” with Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Valerie Hobson. 10:30—INS News. 10:35—News and Views of New England. 10:40—Sign off.

MONDAY, JUNE 14
No programming.

TUESDAY, JUNE 15
7:00—Test Pattern. 7:45—News Tape. 7:50—Newsreel Theatre, sponsored by Camel cigarettes (NBC). 8:00—Film. 8:15—Pre-Game Ceremonies. 8:30—Baseball, Boston Braves vs. Chicago Cubs. 10:30—Sign Off.
Video Baseball Pleases Hub Fans
Most Favor Closeups, Offer Suggestions
Greater Boston baseball fans, who saw the first televised game last night [15] between the Braves and Cubs, today called it a good and interesting show. But they had a few suggestions to offer.
* * *
They were impressed most by the closeups, which they thought were very good. They reported they could see every move of the players in these closeups—even their mouths moving when they talked.
In some respects, one fan said, the television was superior to a grandstand seat. For example, when a batter hit a fly ball, television took its audience right out into the outfield for a closeup of the outfielder making the putout catch.
But when the televisers tried to take in the whole infield or show a large part of the outfield, results were not so successful, according to some fans. They said the picture blurred so they had to concentrate on it to make out what was going on; they couldn't tell where the ball was, for one thing.
It was helpful, at times like this, when the announcer kept abreast of the play and told them what was happening. But when a pitcher would wind up and let go and there was a lapse before the announcer came through with the information of what happened, it was a little confusing for some fans.
Station WBZ-TV reported today that it received many favorable comments on the broadcast. The few complaints about jumping pictures, etc., were due, station officials said, to sets that were not tuned in properly. A group of Boston sports writers who watched the television of the game called it a "good show," but said it wasn't quite equal to a seat in the press box. They said that sometimes the action seemed a little far away and they couldn't quite make out whether the batter had ducked away from the ball or had taken a swing at it.
More people are believed to have watched last night's game, due to the television show, than have ever before seen a local ball game. They watched Boston's first "live" television show on home sets, in taverns, restaurants, cocktail lounges, bars, hotels and store windows. (Boston Globe)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16 10:00-Noon—Test Pattern. 2:00—Baseball, Boston Braves vs Chicago. 6:55—News Tape. 7:00—Film, “Fighting with Kit Carson,” John Mack Brown, Noah Beery, Sr., Noah Berry, Jr. 7:20—Coming Attractions. 7:25—Nightly Newsteller. 7:30—Cartoon Corner. 7:50—Newsreel Theatre, sponsored by Camel cigarettes (NBC). 8:00—Film, “Clear Track Ahead.” 8:30—“In the Kelvinator Kitchen,” with Alma Kitchell. (NBC) 8:45—Richard Harkness Interview (NBC). 9:00—Kraft Television Theatre, “Applesauce” (NBC). 10:00—INS News. 10:05—Views and News of New England. 10:10—Sign Off.

New York Has Something on Channel 11

A smile of nostalgia will come over New Yorkers (and ex-New Yorkers) of a certain age when you mention WPIX.

The station was a kids delight. Fondly remembered are Officer Joe Bolton and hosts Allen Swift and Chuck McCann. That meant cartoons, cartoons, cartoons (good and otherwise). For others, WPIX was the home of marathon showings of one the greatest comedy series of the 1950s, The Honeymooners.

WPIX was one of several dozen TV stations that signed on in 1948, three of them serving New York City (joining WNBT, WCBS and WABD).

The station dates its origin from an application to the FCC filed by News Syndication, Inc. (the New York Daily News) on February 28, 1944 for a construction permit for a commercial station. Competition was fierce for any TV frequencies the commission deemed habitable. As of Oct. 8, 1945, besides NBC, CBS and Du Mont, the FCC had a file of applications for New York from the American Broadcasting Co. (WJZ), Bamberger Broadcasting (WOR), the Debs Memorial Radio Fund (WEVD), Palmer K. and Lois C. Leberman, Marcus Loew Booking Agency (MGM), Metropolitan Television (W75NY), Philco, Raytheon Manufacturing, Twentieth Century-Fox and WLIB, in addition to the Daily News request.

On Feb. 1, 1946, the FCC designated the Daily News application for a hearing. Four channels were available. The competition now included Bremer Broadcasting of Newark, N.J. (WAAT), Sherron Metallic Corp. of Huntingdon and Westchester Broadcasting of White Plains (WFAS). The hearing began June 3. Several companies pulled their applications before it, Raytheon at the last minute. That left six—ABC, Bamberger, Bremer, Debs Memorial, WLIB and the Daily News.

Broadcasting magazine of June 10, 1946 describes the pitch to the Commission:

Another well-financed applicant, News Syndicate Inc. (New York Daily and Sunday News), a subsidiary of Chicago Tribune Inc., expressed confidence that television would be profitable. However, the company testified that it was prepared to carry a station for three to five years until substantial revenues were received . . .
F. M. Flynn, assistant secretary of News Syndicate Inc. (New York Daily and Sunday News), reviewed the extensive scope of the News parent corporation, Chicago Tribune Inc., which in radio owns WGN Chicago and its subsidiary Midwest FM Network Inc., which is seeking FM stations in Peoria, Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids and Milwaukee. He said the News, formerly headed by the late Joseph M. Patterson and now by Roy C. Holliss as acting president and general manager, has had no regular radio experience except in preparation of hourly newscasts on WNEW New York. He said the company has, however, studied television for several years and has experimented in video production.
Mr. Flynn estimated construction costs at $575,000 and operating expenses at $46,849 a month. He predicted talent costs would be $100,000 a year and upward and that film costs would range from $25,000 to $50,000. Studios and offices, he said, would be on four floors for which space is available above the 36th floor of the News building.
but that a wholly separate television organization might be set up later and housed in a new building which may be constructed adjacent to the News building.
He said the company hasn't “counted on” any immediate returns but expected there would be some. First objective, he explained, would be to get television circulation and then work out rates and commercial programming plans to pay for it. He said network affiliation had been discussed but there was no intention of making the station’s success dependent upon network association.
Mr. Flynn said the News has a tentative agreement with General Electric to train some of the company’s television employes.
He was confident the News would operate the station, if granted, for three to five years regardless of profits.
He was cross-examined in detail by Leo Rosen, attorney for Mrs. Thackrey, publisher of the New York Post, about the News’ circulation, which he said is the greatest in the U.S.—more than 2,300,000 daily and 4,500,000 Sunday.

It took almost a year, but the Daily News announced the FCC's final decision in its May 14, 1947 issue.

FCC Approves News' Bid for Video Station
Washington, D. C., May 14.—The Federal Communications Commission today formally granted licenses to operate television stations to the News Syndicate Co., Inc., publisher of The News, and three other applicants in the New York area.
A notice of intention to approve the applications was announced April 9 and FCC said the final orders were issued when no protests were filed.
FCC assigned the News Syndicate Co., Inc., television channel No. 11. The American Broadcasting Co. was given channel No. 7; the Bamberger Broadcasting Service channel No. 9, and the Bremer Broadcasting Corp., channel No. 13.
Debs Fund Turned Down.
The application of the Debs Memorial Radio Fund was denied, with Commissioner Clifford J. Durr dissenting. Durr recommended that the Debs Fund be given a license instead of the News Syndicate Co. because of evidence against the latter presented by the American Jewish Congress.
However, the Commission re-affirmed its ruling that the testimony offered by the American Jewish Congress, which attempted to show racial bias by The News, be stricken from the record. The Commission denied a petition to incorporate the evidence in the proceedings.
Operating Schedule.
In the final finding of fact, the Commission said the television station to be built by the News Syndicate Co. would cost $575,000 and would operate on a 28-hour weekly basis for the first year.
The initial schedule, the report said, would be divided as follows: 50.5% entertainment; 15.4% educational; 12.7% news 9.8%; sports; 5% religious; 3.9% civic, and 2.7% governmental.
It was estimated that the station has a potential audience of 11,000,000 persons.

There were comparatively few major developments the rest of the year. The paper reported on Dec. 3:

News Orders Equipment for Video Station
Plans for construction of The News television station moved forward yesterday [2] as an order was placed with General Electric Co. for more than $150,000 worth of major video equipment.
F. M. Flynn, president and general manager of The News, announced the purchase of three image orthicon-equipped studio cameras, monitoring and control consoles, camera dollies, microphone booms, and other components. At the same time Flynn disclosed the signing of a contract with the Radio Corporation of America for a five-kilowatt transmitter, with associated pickup and relay equipment.
Studio to Top Building.
Together, the orders represent a total outlay of more than $350,000.
The News television station, to which the FCC has assigned the call letters WLTV, will operate on channel No. 11 in the 198-204 megacycle band. Present plans call for studios in a three-story addition on the top of The News Building at 220 E. 42d St. The station is expected to take the air with test patterns next Spring.
The new General Electric cameras utilize the latest type picture tubes. Used in conjunction with flexible studio control equipment, the cameras represent the finest available medium of telecasting. Complete motion picture projection equipment also will be provided to The News by General Electric. Both 35 and 16 mm. film will be televised. This will enable the station to use all sources of motion pictures in setting a high standard of educational and entertainment programing.
Look to Expert Aid.
Explaining that the master control room also will be GE-equipped, Flynn said: "The news is looking to the engineering accomplishments of the experts at WRGB, General Electric's station in Schenectady. During their six years of non-commercial operation they have gained immeasurable experience. We hope to be able to borrow a little of their know-how."
The RCA order, in addition to transmitter and antenna, calls for two complete field pickup units, including four RCA image orthicon cameras, and two microwave relay transmitters and receivers. These and other units to be added later, will be used in spot news coverage.

WLTV wasn't going to do. The Daily News requested a change of call-letters. It reported on Dec. 23:

New call letters—WPIX—have been assigned to The News television station, F. M. Flynn, president and general manager, announced yesterday. The station, scheduled to go on the air over Channel 11 next Spring, temporarily had been called WLTV. The change was authorized by the Federal Communications Commission. Flynn pointed out that "pix" is a newspaper term for pictures and added that the new call letters are particularly appropriate for The News, New York's Picture Newspaper. "Newspix" for many years has been The News cable address and the name of its house organ.

WPIX started hiring managers and staff, and getting a station physically put together. The Hollywood Reporter of Feb. 17, 1948 gave an anticipated air date, which the station actually met.

N.Y. News Video To Be Ready By June 15
New York.—Construction work on WPIX, The News television station, has started, according to Robert L. Coe, station manager. Engineers started making surveys for the installation of steel for the transmitter house and the 307-foot tower on top of The News building a few days ago. Similar work is underway on the roof of the adjoining nine-story plant where the studios will be located.
The Turner Construction Co. plans to have the station ready to go on the air about June 15. The first shipment of steel for the prefabricated tower will be made about February 21 and the tower is expected to be up in record time.
The tower atop The News building will rise to a point 777 feet above street level, making it one of the highest television transmitter points in the city.

The Daily News’ Ben Gross announced on Feb. 27 the station had closed a deal for television rights to the rights and wrestling matches at Queensboro Arena, the first remote contract signed by the station. The station’s biggest signing was unveiled in its March 10 edition. Gloria Swanson had agreed to host a 55-minute-long afternoon show. This, of course, was before her screen comeback in Sunset Boulevard. The July 1947 issue of Television magazine described the show.

"THE SWANSON HOUR"
Most glamorous of all the cooperative formats is WPIX's "The Gloria Swanson Hour," presented in the 4:05 to 5 o'clock slot every Wednesday. The famous star, who still retains her movie screen charm, plays hostess on a four part format under such titles as "High Fashion Trends," "Glamour on a Budget," "Chef's Holiday" and "Beauty Salon."
The "High Fashion Trend" segment is exactly what the name implies-with leading fashion designers showing their advance styles.
Clothes are modeled, with the stylist and Miss Swanson discussing the trends.
"Glamour on a Budget," sponsored by Beck Shoes, is handled by Beck's fashion editor, Pat Murray. Sequence is built around a particular theme, such as assembling an inexpensive vacation wardrobe. Models are used to display the clothes.
The "Chef's Holiday" segment veers away from the everyday cooking lesson and features a chef from some well known restaurant who reveals some of his professional cooking secrets and prepares the "specialty of the house."
On the "Beauty Salon," first program featured Victor Vito, hair stylist, who demonstrated today's mode in coiffures along with suggestions on the right hair arrangement for various face types. Another show presented Helena Rubinstein with a make-up lesson for home viewers.
An average of four sets are used on each show, together with some 16 models, who have been specially trained for television by producer Dick Rose.
Commercial Techniques
Charge for sponsoring each segment is set at $538, including talent, sets, models, etc. In the "Glamour on a Budget" portion, the Beck commercial is smoothly integrated. Style points of the dresses and accessories are given, with emphasis placed on the shoes as the camera picks up an ankle shot. Prices are also given. While program is still too new to have garnered many "success stories," Victor Vito reported that he had received 100 phone calls for appointments from the viewers, in addition to mail received at WPIX.
The station also signed deals to broadcast the trotting races from Roosevelt Park and hockey games (New York Rangers and New York Rovers) from Madison Square Garden, as well as WHN’s Guy Lebow as the news announcer, and some extensive news coverage, including the Democratic and Republican conventions.

Columnists at the Daily News, rather helpfully, seemed to have a one-liner about a station development every day. On April 27, it was a contract to air 24 films by Alexander Korda. On April 29, the first test pattern would air about May 15. On May 3, the Schaefer Brewing CO. became the first advertiser; it would bankroll Rangers games. On May 6, the final staff announcers were hired. They included Jack McCarthy, John Tillman, Rex Marshall and a chap named Joe Bolton.

The station's antenna went up March 17, delayed a bit because of rain and wind. Tests began on May 29. But there were a few problems as the Daily News reported June 1:

Thousands of television fans in the metropolitan area picked up the WPIX (pronounce it Pix) test pattern yester-day as The News video station began equipment testing on a daily schedule in preparation for the start of regular broadcasting June 15.
The fans deluged the WPIX studios with phone calls throughout the day, from 8:30 A. M. until the station signed off at 6 P. M., to report reception ranging in quality from "lousy" to "clear as a bell." Wired Too Low.
A few said they couldn't get WPIX at all—but in these cases it turned out almost invariably that their sets were wired only for the old low channels and that the coils had not been installed for the postwar high frequency stations like WPIX.
Officials of the RCA Service Co., speaking from personal experience in other cities, explained that reception on the high channels is no more difficult than on the low channels. But the quality of reception is affected by the direction the receiving antenna points, and since the first stations were in the low group, receiving aerials were set up to point at them. . . .
Joseph A. Hatchwell, manager of the agency's branch shop in Jackson Heights, Queens, said that the problem of direction of receiving antennae will be most acute within a mile or two of the four New York stations. Those farther away within the 50-mile radius which comprises the metropolitan listening area should be able to receive WPIX satisfactorily with little or no adjustment.
All three of the older New York video stations operate on the low channels. WCBS, which has its tower on the Chrysler Building, is on Channel 2; WNBT, on the Empire State Building, is on Channel 4, and WARD, at 53d St. and Madison Ave., is on Channel 5.
WPIX, atop The News Building at 220 E. 42d St., is on Channel 11.

The pattern aired Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

We’ve glossed over some things, including Rube Goldberg’s Drawing Game being picked up by the station, the Shuberts granting WPIX exclusive TV rights to opening night pre-performance hoopla, the pick-up of Teen Age Canteen with the voice of Egghead, Danny Webb, and a hyped contest for a station slogan. The papers published previews on June 14, the day before the big event. The Times’ read, in part:

The inauguration of the service will be accompanied by messages from representatives of the city, state and church. Also scheduled are previews of WPIX features which are to be exhibited at regular intervals. Among the previews will be "The Gloria Swanson Hour," during which the actress will have as her guests Neil Hamilton, actor, and Fira Benenson, designer. Rube Goldberg will show how his cartoon-charade quiz, "The Drawing Game," works. Ben Gross, radio columnist of The News, will preview "Stars in Your Eyes," with Fred Allen his guest.
Remote pick-ups will include Ed Sullivan as guide of proceedings during a WPIX visit at the Latin Quarter and Danton Walker offering a sample of what to expect during his weekly "Cabarabian Nights," which he will conduct at the Club Versailles.
The News Syndicate Company, Inc., also has announced the formation of a new corporation to operate WPIX. The FCC, it was said, has approved the transfer of three television construction permits from the syndicate WPIX Inc. The corporation will be a wholly owned subsidiary.

Now a couple of stories and analysis after WPIX signed on.

`Daily News' Opens Television Station
O'Dwyer, Hanley, Baruch Guests at WPIX Show
WPIX, the television station operated by the "Daily News" of New York, made its debut at 7:30 o'clock last night with a four-hour show which included stars of the stage and screen and political figures and gave the News Building at 220 East Forty-second Street the appearance of a Broadway theater on opening night.
The front of the building was ablaze with lights, and huge searchlights converged on the antenna tower which is 796 feet above sea level. Formal dedication ceremonies started at 8 o'clock with the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Virginia Haskins. An invocation followed, offered by the Right Rev. Charles Kendall Gilbert, Bishop of the Protestants Episcopal Diocese of New York. The official welcome to the audience was made by F. M. Flynn, president and general manager of the News Syndicate Company, Inc.
Among the guests were Mayor William O’Dwyer, Lieutenant Governor Joe R. Henley and Bernard M. Baruch. Entertainers included Beatrice Lillie, Basil Rathbone, Maurice Evans, Irving Berlin and Georgia Gibbs. WPIX operating on Channel 11, is the fifth television station in the New York area. (Herald Tribune, June 16)

WPIX OPENS
Salutes Presented by Six Operating Stations
SIX television stations, including all three in New York City, joined civic, business and religious leaders last week in welcoming WPIX, television station of the New York News, to the air. Each of the six provided a special ten-minute salute program to WPIX for broadcasting during station's four-hour inaugural broadcast the evening of June 15.
WMAL-TV Washington brought Wayne Coy, FCC chairman, to its studios to broadcast greetings to the new video station, and also gave the WPIX audience a cartoon-and-music review of the news highlights since the New York Newsstarted its own career in June 1919. WFIL-TV Philadelphia put on a special studio program for WPIX, and WMAR-TV Baltimore gave New York viewers a look at wrestling matches.
In New York, WNBT fed its regular television Screen Magazine show to WPIX for simultaneous broadcast; WCBS-TV produced a special musical salute in its studios and piped it to WPIX for broadcast by the latter alone. WABD utilized its Tele-transcription system of kinescopic recording to send WPIX a salute show which opened and closed with a live duplicate of the cameraman symbol of the News.
WPIX's achievement of getting on the air on date it had boldly announced the end of January when the construction contracts were signed was hailed by most of the welcoming speakers, who paid tribute to General Manager Robert L. Coe and Chief Engineer Thomas Howard for the accomplishment. Colby M. Chester, chairman of the board, General Foods Corp., representing the National Assn. of Manufacturers, also praised owners of WPIX for proving that "In a world beset by wars and rumors of wars, the pioneering spirit of America has not lost its faith. The investment of $1,500,000 which you have made in putting this station on the air," he declared, "is compelling evidence of your confidence in the country's future and in your belief that television will become a great national industry. We share that belief."
The four-hour inaugural program, including the first originations from the new WPIX studios as well as all of the special film and remote pick-ups, went off virtually without a hitch, entitling the engineering and programming staffs to an extra round of applause. To make this possible, Harvery Marlowe, program director, passed up the reception line to stay backstage and personally supervise the production of the full evening's schedule. Individual stir of the evening, judging by audience comments received by WPIX, was John Tillman, former CBS announcer and m. c. who announced the complete WPIX opening evening's programs.
Of special interest to the thousands who had suggested slogans for WPIX was the telecast of Mr. Coe's presentation of a $5,000 check, first issued by WPIX Inc., to Benjamin Dollinger of Brooklyn, winner of the station's $10,000 slogan contest. The winning slogan: "The first word in news—The last word in entertainment." (Broadcasting, June 21)

Television Station WPIX Has Premiere
By JACK GOULD
WITH East Forty-second Street bathed in kleig lights for the occasion, television station WPIX made an impressive debut last Tuesday evening. Owned by The Daily News, the outlet lifted the curtain on a schedule of programs which promises to give local video a decided fillip. In fact, it just could be that the newspaper boys are going to give the radio folk a good race for their money.
Even in a business where the aim for the moment seems to be finding new ways of spending money more quickly, WPIX is working with a lavish hand. It has garnered the rights to a generous supply of some of the best English-made films and is not sparing its pocketbook for studio shows. Even if only part of its present agenda proves successful, NBC, CBS and DuMont should be acutely aware of the Fourth Estate's invasion of their preserve.
If nothing else, WPIX's opening marked a return to the fundamentals of big-time showmanship which for some strange reason too long have been lacking in radio and video circles. All the accoutrements of a Hollywood premiere were employed—the presentation of celebrities in the city's political, religious and entertainment life, the flashing lights of camera men, endless lines of police to hold back the crowds, etc.
And the first few days of WPIX's regular programs suggest that the same alertness also will be found on the station's screen itself. Already it is the first video outlet to offer news regularly on the hour and the balance of the schedule reflects uncommonly well-rounded fare for a new television station.
Night Clubs
On its opening night WPIX laid particular stress on Broadway matters, its cameras visiting two of the better-known night clubs under the auspices of The Daily News columnists, Ed Sullivan and Danton Walker. For the viewer at home it provided the first real taste of the after-dark world of New York, and as such pointed up how television can break out of the studio chains which so long have confined radio programming.
However, WPIX already has raised one question of a rather delicate order. Put bluntly, it is this: do newspaper men make good performers? Is a by-line sufficient qualification for membership in the Associated Actors and Artistes of America, as it were? Reluctant though this corner is even to hint at such an ominous possibility, the answer, at least for the moment, must be in the negative.
Jimmy Jemail, the inquiring photographer of The Daily News, seemed in away over his head as master of ceremonies on opening night, his brief interviews with visiting celebrities often having comic overtones that bordered on the embarrassing. The amiable Messrs. Sullivan and Walker similarly lacked both the stage presence and personality which are the essential tools of the trade of the professional master of ceremonies. Ben Gross, serving as straight man for Fred Allen, fared much better, though his inexperience on stage was no less obvious. No doubt the boys will catch on in ensuing weeks but life in front of the footlights patently is different from the anonymous existence behind the typewriter. (New York Times, June 20)

And here’s the week’s schedule.

TUESDAY, JUNE 15
7:30—Opening of WPIX. Jimmy Jemail interviews celebrities. 8:00—Formal Dedication Ceremonies. F.M. Flynn, Robert L. Coe, Bishop Charles K. Gilbert, Lt. Gov. Joe Hanley, Mayor O’Dwyer, Cardinal Spellman (tentative), Award Presentation to Slogan Contest Winner. 8:30-Midnight—Preview of Studio Programs, Rabbi de Sola Pool, Virginia Haskins and Boys’ Chorus, Ben Gross, Fred Allen, “Pixie Playtime,” Gloria Swanson, Rube Goldberg, the Ritz Brothers, Willie Howard, Jan Murray, Special Show from Versailles with Danton Walker, Special Show from Lou Walters’ Latin Quarter with Ed Sullivan.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16
4:00—News. 4:05—The Gloria Swanson Hour, discussing fashion, cooking and household hints. 7:00—News. 7:05—Music and Slides. 7:30—WPIX Newsreel. 7:40—Film Shorts. 8:00—Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund Cartoon Show. 8:30—Film Shorts. 9:00—News 9:05—Harness Racing from Roosevelt Raceway, Westbury, L.I. 11:00 to 11:10—WPIX Newsreel.
Five of America's top-flight cartoonists will appear on a half-hour WPIX public service program at 8 o'clock tonight to aid the campaign for the Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund. The Fund's 1948 goal is $325,000.
The cartoonists will draw two of the characters for which they are known and one new personality representing the children who benefit from the Fresh Air Fund.
“The New York Daily News" station then will offer the autographed drawings to the highest bidders in the home audience. Bids will be made by mail. Proceeds will be donated to the Fresh Air Fund.
One of the evening's fifteen drawings, however, will go to the program's guest, a youth who has been to one of the Fresh Air Fund's camps or Friendly Towns. He will be permitted to choose the drawing he likes best as a souvenir of the night.
The artists on the program will be Henry Boltinhoff, George Wolf and Henry Mack, of the American Society of Magazine Cartoonists; Gus Edson, who draws "The Gumps," and George Wunder, who draws "Terry and the Pirates" for the News Syndicate.
WPIX is one of several television stations in the city that have scheduled Fresh Air programs in which members of the American Society of Magazine Cartoonists, who are currently appealing in a benefit show at Macy's, are featured. (Herald Tribune)

THURSDAY, JUNE 17
4:00—News. 4:05-5:00—Music and Slides. 7:00—News. 7:05—Music and Slides. 7:30—WPIX Newsreel and Teen Tunes. 7:40—Your Weekend Weather. 8:00—Reel and Rifle. 8:30—Film Shorts. 9:00—News 9:05—Wrestling, Queensboro Arena. 11:00 to 11:10—WPIX Newsreel.
Television Row was talking...about the dramatic news beat of PIX, The News video station. Thursday night [17], it showed special films made at the site of the fatal airplane crash at Mount Carmel, Pa., the first of such pictures telecast here. A special plane was flown there and within a few hours New Yorkers beheld the tragic spectacle. . . .
Guy Lebow and Jack McCarthy, who cover those Queensboro wrestling matches for our tele station, are wise enough to give the grunt-and-groan boys the old kidding treatment. They are far funnier than the wrestlers. While the big muscle man strain and strive, Guy and Jack put on an act that is a combination of Abbott and Costello and the late Robert Benchley. (Ben Gross, Daily News, June 19)

FRIDAY, JUNE 18
4:00—News. 4:05-5:00—Music and Slides. 7:00—News. 7:05—Music and Slides. 7:30—WPIX Newsreel. 7:40—Stan Shaw Show, teen tunes. 8:00—Information Bureau. 9:00—News. 9:05—Harness Racing from Roosevelt Raceway, Westbury, L.I. 11:00 to 11:10—WPIX Newsreel.

SATURDAY, JUNE 19
4:00—News. 4:05-5:00—Pixie Playtime, puppets, cartoons and sketching. 7:00—News. 7:05—Music and Slides. 7:30—WPIX Newsreel. 7:40—Tune Detective, with Sigmund Spaeth. 8:00—One Strike—You’re Out. 8:30--Film Shorts. 9:00—News 9:05—Film, “Of Mice and Men” with Burgess Meredith and Betty Field. 10:30 to 10:40—WPIX Newsreel.
"Pixie Playtime" is new WPIX program for children, featuring that new television puppet personality, Peter W. Pixie, that starts June 19 on three times weekly schedule. Program will feature a wide assortment of puppet characters, animated cartoons, live sketching by The News cartoonists, pets, and children chosen from the video audience. Frank Paris, formerly associated with "Howdy Doody" program at NBC, is the man behind the strings. (Televiser, June 1948)
New York.—Exclusive television rights to 32 features, originally distributed by United Artists, and some 50 shorts, have been acquired for one year in this video area by WPIX, Daily News station. Showings will be on a spot booking basis. Deal with made with Regal Television, headed by Moe Kernan.
Feature product includes 12 Laurel and Hardy comedies, “Captain Caution,” “Captain Fury” and “Of Mice and Men.” The latter, the first picture to be shown, will be telecast Saturday. Shorts consist of 20-odd Zasu Pitts-Thelma Todd comedies, a Harry Langdon and an Irvin S. Cobb series, as well as a half-dozen musicals. (Hollywood Reporter, June 17)

SUNDAY, JUNE 20
4:00—News. 4:05—Comics on Parade, with Danny Webb. 4:30—Film, “My Name is Han.” 5:00—Television Chapel 7:00—News. 7:05—WPIX Previews. 7:30—Weekly Newsreel Roundup. 7:40—Film, “Pagliacci,” with Henry Hull. 8:00—Republican Pre-Convention Program from Philadelphia. 8:30—Film Shorts. 9:00—News 9:05—Film, “Jimmy Steps Out” with Jimmy Stewart and Paulette Goddard. 10:30 to 10:40—WPIX Newsreel.
In the first attempt of any N. Y. television outlet to air a weekly religious program, WPIX, the N. Y. Daily News' forthcoming station, will launch such a series June 20, five days after it takes the air. Half-hour show titled "Television Chapel," it will be broadcast each Sunday from 5 to 5:30 p.m. In line with announcement of the show, it's recalled that Daily News' prez., F. M. Flynn, charged the industry several months ago with failing to perform an adequate public service by neglecting religious programs. In a speech before the American Television Society, Flynn promised at the time that WPIX would come up with such a series as soon as it took to the air. First three programs are to present Protestant, Catholic and Jewish clergymen, giving brief visual explanations of various rites. Series, intended as a continuing public service, is to be produced in cooperation with the Federal Council of Churches of Christ In America, the National Council of Catholic Men, and the American Jewish Committee. (Variety, June 9)

MONDAY, JUNE 21
11:00—Program from Convention Hall. 2:30—Convention Program. 7:00—News. 7:05—WPIX Previews. 7:30—WPIX Newsreel. 7:40—Record Rendezvous with Stan Shaw. Guest, Art Mooney. 8:00—Film short. 8:15—Convention program. 8:45—Pickup outside Convention Hall. 9:00—Program from Convention Hall.
WPIX, The News television station on Channel 11, will carry the full sessions from Convention Hall. Under the direction of Carl Warren, manager of news and special events, and of Allan Lawrence, his deputy, it will telecast three exclusive programs daily from its studios in the Bellevue-Stratford. On the first one, at 2:30 P. M., Ruth Montgomery, of The News Washington bureau, will interview feminine headliners of politics, including the wives of the candidates, and Lowell Limpus, co-chief of The News UN bureau, will give a five-minute news summary. Then, at 8:15 nightly, Ben Gross, using the convention meter, will lead off with a political commentary and summary. Jimmy Jemail, The Inquiring Photographer, will follow with his interviews of convention celebrities and Rex Marshall, chief announcer, will serve as emcee during a series of human interest and entertainment features. Immediately after the close of each evening's convention session, the station will present Limpus, Gross and veteran political experts of The News staff in a ten-minute round-up of the day's events. And, of course, during every session in the Convention Hall, WPIX cameramen will be on hand filming the highlights. These pictures will be rushed immediately to New York for incorporation in the station's ten-minute newsreel. (Ben Gross, Daily News, June 20)

WPIX was not the only station to formally begin broadcasts on June 15, 1948. A little further north, WNHC-TV signed on to serve New Haven, Connecticut.

Station Three on Nine For Los Angeles

NBC radio in Los Angeles had huge stars on the air—Jack Benny, Edgar Bergen, Burns and Allen, Fibber McGee and Molly, Al Jolson, the guest actors of the Screen Guild Theatre, and many more. When NBC’s radio station in Los Angeles went full-time into television the biggest star they could drum up for a regular show was—the guy who played Charlie Weaver, Cliff Arquette.

To be fair, KFI was an affiliate of NBC; a local station. The station and the network had studios in different locations. And when KFI-TV held its “opening night” on October 6, 1948, it was not an NBC affiliate. Even if it was, there was no way it could connect to the company’s television network, which was linked to cable and relay stations that went only as far as St. Louis.

KFI-TV was Los Angeles’ third to go on the air. That October, its competition was Don Lee’s KTSL, which was still officially the experimental station W6XAO, and Paramount’s WXYZ.

The owner of KFI decided in 1939 to get into television. Broadcasting of April 1 reported:

Anthony Seeks Television
EARLE C. ANTHONY Inc., operating KFI and KECA, Los Angeles, made known its intention of entering the television field March 25 when the FCC announced its application for an experimental visual broadcasting station to operate with 1,000 watts on 42000-56000 kc. The station would be located at a site to be determined in Los Angeles. RCA equipment would be used. The Anthony television application is the fifth now pending before the FCC's television committee, the others being those of WTMJ, Milwaukee; Crosley Radio Corp., Cincinnati; Don Lee Broadcasting System, San Francisco, and KSTP, St. Paul. All of the applications have been referred to the FCC television committee.

On November 15, 1940 the FCC granted a construction permit to Anthony to operate on Channel 6 (96,000 to 102,000 kcs.) at one kilowatt; Variety of November 20 said the station’s purpose was “for a study of the effect of ignition and diathermy interference, and transmission over salt water to Catalina Island.”

Anthony submitted a new application for a commercial television station on Channel 6 on August 18, 1941, and a construction permit was awarded on Sept. 16, 1941. A story in Variety dated Sept. 30 said the call letters would be KSEE. A completion date on Jan. 15, 1942 was approved by the FCC. But the war got in the way, and Broadcasting magazine of June 29, 1942 mentioned “inability to obtain materials necessary for building has promoted abandonment of immediate plans for the new KSEE.”

With the war nearing an end, KFI made another move. Television magazine of May 1945 revealed:

Earle C. Anthony, 141 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles
They are requesting reinstatement of a construction permit for commercial television station KSEE which Anthony allowed to expire. At the same time he wants to modify the terms of his construction permit to give 95% coverage of the Los Angeles metropolitan area rather than the 91% possible at the transmitter site and with the aural equipment he proposed using originally.
Anthony is asking for Channel No. 6 (96-102 mc), and plans to use RCA-transmitter equipment with visual power at 3 kw and 1kw aural. He hopes now to locate his transmitter either on Mt. Wilson in the San Gabriel range at an elevation 5728 feet or on Mt. Harvard at an elevation of 5440 feet.
Both sites are about 16 airline miles from the center of Los Angeles, about 115 miles from San Diego and 93 miles distant from Santa Barbara. Either site would give line-of-sight coverage of greater portion of metropolitan Los Angeles and most of the inhabited region within a 130-mile radius. His application estimates total cost of KSEE at $163,000, with a monthly operating cost of $9,250.
Anthony is licensee of KFI in Los Angeles and is also in the automobile finance and insurance business.

When the application was filed with the FCC on June 6, 1945, the Hollywood Reporter and other media reported it was to operate on Channel 2 (60 to 66 mcs.).

It was almost a year later before hearings on applications for TV stations in Los Angeles began. There were several hearings involving KSEE and seven other applicants beginning May 20, 1946. The Los Angeles Times on May 22 outlined Anthony’s testimony.

ANTHONY REVEALS PLAN FOR TELEVISION STATION
Some of the fine points of what will be offered the public over television in the future were disclosed yesterday [21] by agents of Earle C. Anthony, Inc., at a hearing in the Federal Building, where seven applicants are seeking television permits.
For one thing, the housewife will be able to turn on her television set and see previews of the latest in household gadgets and at a later hour the latest fashions of various department stores modeled for her approval.
Varied Programs Planned
Also there will be programs for the children with puppeteers, technical demonstrations for farmers of how to treat diseased citrus trees or improved methods of budding, grafting or pruning.
There will be newsreels, too, according to the proposed schedule, along with news commentary with still pictures of persons prominent in current events.
Earle C. Anthony, in person, was the key witness at the hearing which is being conducted by Harry Plotkin, assistant chief counsel for the Federal Communications Commission.
Initial Loss Expected
After telling the aims of his organization, Anthony was asked by an attorney for the Hughes Tool Co., another applicant, if he was willing to spend $1,800,000 for his television plant.
"I'm willing to spend enough," Anthony answered.
"How long would you be willing to operate your station at a loss of $400,000 a year?" the attorney continued.
"That depends upon the income from KFI," Anthony said.
Costs In Doubt
Anthony pointed out that it was impossible to estimate accurately the cost of the project, but he said his firm would be willing to meet all reasonable expenses and expects to operate at a loss for some time.
The principal owner of radio station KVI added he does not expect television to become profitable for several years until receiving sets are made available to everyone at reasonable prices.
Five additional applicants for the seven available permits still are to be heard by the government, which is holding hearings in Room 324 in the Federal Building. The hearing probably will last another week.

The FCC approved seven construction permits on December 19; KFI was given Channel 9 despite requesting Channel 4 (NBC got Channel 4). Variety of Dec. 25 pointed out: “A split FCC vote of 4-2 was cast on the Anthony grant, with Commissioners Clifford J. Durr and Rosel Hyde voting to defer action until the commission decides whether or not to renew the license of his station KFI, Los Angeles KFI is on the hook because of protests against its firing of six commentators in 1945 and a new policy requiring all commentators to be employees.” There was no mention of the KSEE call-letters in any of the available media reports.

1947 came and went. The first real news about KFI-TV came in April when it was announced the station would televised Los Angeles Rams football with Union Oil putting up $40,000 in sponsor money. The Hollywood Reporter of April 28 also mentioned away games would be filmed for later broadcast. A United Press dispatch of June 28 reported former Rams star Tommy Harmon had been hired to do the play-by-play.

Test patterns had been expanded starting Tuesday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Fridays. Listings in the Citizen-News said they were accompanied with music. And actual programming was getting closer. Variety has this on Aug. 4, 1948.

KFI-TV BOWS AUG. 25 WITH FOOTBALL REMOTE
Hollywood, Aug. 3.
KFI-TV will be on the air this week over channel nine with program tests. Tele station will start broadcasting regularly with remotes of the Los Angeles Rams football games sponsored by Union Oil of California. First tilt will be televised on Aug. 25.
KFI's program tests to go on this week will be of the Los Angeles baseball games at Wrigley field. Games, up to this time, have been broadcast exclusively by Paramount's KTLA but station does not have the exclusive rights to games according to KFI. Earle C. Anthony station has had an arrangement with Wrigley Field to pick up the games for televising when they found themselves ready. Station has been running a series of closed circuits tests now to break in a green camera crew.

KFI took out a full-page ad in Broadcasting of Aug. 16 in a newspaper story format.

KFI BEGINS COMMERCIAL SHOWS THIS MONTH
AS ITS six-week test programming period nears completion, KFI-TV, Los Angeles, will embark on commercial telecasts late this month. First commercial series will be the Union Oil-sponsored Los Angeles Rams intra-squad game.
Formal dedication of the TV station's new studios and official opening date has been set for October 6.
A heavy promotional barrage, which began this month, will reach its climax during the week of the official opening with the publication of a special television issue of the Los Angeles Downtown Shopping News. The Shopping News with a circulation of more than 500,000 copies, twice weekly, cooperates with KFI on a continuous mutual promotion.
The station's new television studios, immediately adjacent to the standard broadcast studios, were completed in late July and all equipment will be installed and tests completed before the final week in September. KFI-TV's main studio, measuring 40 by 70 feet, will be supplemented by remote studios.
Initial broadcast schedule will be 16 hours weekly with a large share of this programming allocated to Saturday and Sunday. At first the Earle C. Anthony outlet may operate on a five-day schedule starting Wednesday of each week.
Opening of the station will cap two years work by KFI organization, highlighted by intensive tests of the all-new RCA equipment in recent months.
First test pattern [15 minutes in length] went out June 21, three weeks ahead of schedule, from the station's Mt. Wilson transmitter. Since that time thorough tests of all remote points in the vicinity have been made as reports from San Diego to Ventura flowed in that KFI-TV's pattern was being well received.
Close to four and one-half million persons will be in the KFI-TV service area, first estimates indicate.

As promised, the station began commercial programming on Aug. 25, 1948. Here’s the Hollywood Citizen-News preview.

Preliminary Testing Is Over For Los Angeles' Third Video Station
By ZUMA PALMER
Television set owners will now have more programs from which to choose because KFI-TV will transmit approximately seven hours a week beginning today—12 or more starting Oct. 6.
"Picture Lady," an hour's show for children at 7 with Caroline Burke at the helm, will open the bill. With her will be the Nick Nelson puppets, Chief Wah-nee-ota, who will talk about Indian lore, and Roy Gordon, who will tell in words and drawings the story of Emo the Elephant.
Pat Bishop, KFI news editor; Tom Harmon, the station's sports director, and Kathleen Wilson Stockwell, newspaperwoman, will have a half hour at 8. A concert by Bob Mitchell, KFI music director; Paul Owen and Buddy Jobe of "Ladies Day" and Betty Mills, harpist, will be telecast at 8:30.
Bridge fans will learn about the game from Robert Lee Johnson at 9. Jose Rodriguez, an authority on subjects musical, and John Crown, pianist, will be on your screen at 9:15 if you so elect. A 45-minute version of Gilbert & Sullivan's "Mikado" by the California Light Opera Co. is scheduled for 9:30.
These are all experimental programs so their length of life has yet to be determined.

And Broadcasting of Aug. 23 added some information.

TV Is Starting With 6-Hour Week
To Begin 12-Hour Schedule Oct. 6 At Formal Opening
KFI-TV Los Angeles will start its programming Aug. 25 on a six hour per week basis, according to William B. Ryan, general manager. Through special authorization from the FCC, the station will not reach the level of 12 hours weekly until Oct. 6, date scheduled for the station’s formal opening.
Opening week will be divided upon a Wednesday, Friday, Sunday basis, according to Mr. Ryan. Two of the days will consist of remotes with the first comprising a children’s hour, news and sportscasts, music appreciation, a forum and light musical; according to Ronald C. Oxford, executive producer.
Mr. Ryan advised BROADCASTING, “We have developed a great many program ideas and formats during the past few months. Many of them have been auditioned on camera. Now we expect to ‘audition’ some of them for the television audience before our program schedule actually takes shape.”

The next day of programming was Aug. 27. The Pasadena Star-News explains what was on:

Electric Exposition on Television at 8
KFI-TV, television station now in operation on a test basis, will transmit a two-hour program from the Electrical Exposition at Pan-Pacific Auditorium tonight starting at 8. The station, on Channel 9, will be on the air on a test basis from 3 until the program time. The program will include a video tour of the exposition, music by the Belmont Shores Fiesta Quartet, Pat Bishop and the news, Tom Harmon interviewing Glenn Davis, Comedian Duane Truax, Joan Schafer and her "Canine Court," Leonora Conn and her "Mail Bag of Household Tricks." Bob Moon will be m.c. and Helen Parish, Miss Television of New York in 1947, will be mistress of ceremonies.

Looking at the first two weeks of programming, there are some remotes and that’s it.

Aug. 28: to 6:00—Tests and Records.
Aug. 29: 7:00—Tests and Records; 8 to 11—Aqua Gala, swimming show from Coliseum Swimming Stadium.
Sep. 2: 4:00—Tests and Records; 7 to 10—Experimental Program from Wrigley Field. Charity football game, Rams vs. Washington, sponsored by Rexall.
Sep. 3: 4:30—Tests and Records.
Sep. 4: to 6:00—Tests and Records.
Sep. 5: 5:00—Tests and Records; 7 to 10—Experimental Program.
Sep. 9: 12:00—Tests and Records; 2:00—Program; 3 to 5—Tests and Records.
Sep. 10: 3:15—Tests and Records.
Sep. 11: 12 to 6—Tests and Records.
Sep. 12: 2:00-2:30—Tests and Records; 2:30 to 5—Aquacade and Fashion Show from Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Incidentally, another station began tests on Sept. 15—Channel 13, KLAC, was on the air from 6 to 9. It was their only day of testing, but that’s a story for another time.

Finally, the station was ready for an official, formal sign-in with an actual studio programme. Here’s a summary from the Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1948 edition of the Citizen-News looking at the evening’s telecast”

Adolphe Menjou Unofficial Host At KFI-TV ‘Opening Night’ Party
By ZUMA PALMER
Billie Burke, Martha Tilton, George McManus, creator of Maggie and Jiggs; Lois Butler, Meredith Willson, Art Baker, Mayor Fletcher Bowron, Supervisor Raymond V. Darby and Earle C. Anthony will salute the start of regular programming by KFI-TV. They will be seen in the "Shall We Join the Party" 8:30 to 10:15 section of a three hour live show.
The first feature, at 7 p.m., will be "Buffalo Billy," a film for children about a three dimensional Character. Cliff Arquette at 7:15 will preview his forthcoming "Television Talent Test" and Robert Armbruster, NBC "Music Hall" conductor, will be the quizmaster of his own show "Let's Face the Music." Constantin Bakaleinikoff, RKO music director; Soulima Stravinsky, concert pianist, and Eula Beal, San Francisco Opera contralto, will be his guests at 7:30.
Tom Harmon, whose Hoffman Huddle, is scheduled for 8, was called East by the illness of his father. Ted Meyers and Bob Waterfield will take over.
KFI-TV, which went on the air with a test pattern June 21 and with experimental programming on Aug. 25, will telecast programs Wednesday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 approximately. It has three studios and all RCA equipment. Cool lights, which must be a joy to the entertainers and technicians, are used.
STAFF
The staff includes Haan J. Tyler, program director; Ronald C. Oxford, executive producer; Robert Livingstone, remote program director; James Leaman, Bob Hiestand and Ken Higgins, directors; Lumir Mathauser, production facilities manager; Tom Harmon, sports director; James Love, film editor; and H. L. Blatterman, Curtis Mason, Seymour Johnson and Bryan Cole, engineers. Kevin B. Sweeney is sales manager.
William B. Ryan, general manager, said that KFI-TV will have an affiliation with a San Diego and Santa Barbara station and probably with one in San Francisco. The Southern California stations will be able to take programs directly off the air from KFI-TV and put them on their own channel.

More from Broadcasting, Oct. 11:

1/2-Hour Broadcast Marks KFI-TV Bow
KFI-TV Los Angeles, owned and operated by Earle C. Anthony Inc., made its formal bow Oct. 6, presenting three and a half hours of programming with Adolphe Menjou as m.c. On air since August with six hours weekly, the station will now broadcast 12 hours. It is on Channel 9 (186-192 mc). Coincident with kickoff, William B. Ryan, general manager of KFI's AM, FM and TV operations, announced that KFI-TV is open to television network possibilities other than NBC. The fact that NBC already has a TV outlet in Los Angeles, makes a TV affiliation with NBC unfeasible, Mr. Ryan said. Station continues, however, as NBC standard affiliate.
Expanding on this, Mr. Ryan felt that a regional network might take the form of a "voluntary chain deal rather than one dominated by KFI." He suggested the possibility of a mutual agreement for relay and/or kinescope networking between stations north of Santa Barbara and San Francisco and south to San Diego. He felt that KFI might aid in sales and programming for member stations of such a network.
"KFI-TV is the only local TV station in Los Angeles," Mr. Ryan told BROADCASTING. Referring to the other stations he said:
"If their TV interest is not national, then their parent company is national."
In viewing the future of television development in Los Angeles, he felt that a purely local station could operate programming and overall policies in more elastic fashion to meet needs of agencies and their clients.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6
7:00—“Buffalo Bill.” 7:15—Cliff Arquette. 7:30—“Let’s Face the Music.” 7:50—News. 8:00—“Sports Huddle.” 8:15—Film on Video. 8:30—“Shall We Join the Party.”

THURSDAY, OCT. 7
11:30-5:00—Tests. 7:00—Electrostatics. 7:10—Witness Chair. 7:35—Mary and Harry. 7:50—News. 8:00—Mitchell Boy Choir. 8:20—Maritime Provinces of Canada. 8:30—Treasures of Literature.

FRIDAY, OCT. 8
11:30-5:00—Tests. 7:00—For Children Only. 7:30—Three Fellows. 7:50—News. 8:00—Press Women in the News. 8:15-9:00—Home Town.

SATURDAY, OCT. 9
7:00—Cartoons. 8:00—Football, Pepperdine vs. San Jose State.

SUNDAY, OCT. 10
7:00—Ladies’ Day. 7:20—Film, “High Plain.” 7:40—Shopping Quiz with the “Mail Bag.” 7:50—News. 8:00—Viewpoint Unlimited. 8:30—Dr. Handy. 8:50—Film, “Robin Red Breast.” 9:00—Amiable Detective.

MONDAY, OCT. 11 and TUESDAY, OCT. 12
No programming.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 13
11:30-5:00—Tests. 6:45—Tests. 7:00—Julian Brian, Travelogue. 7:20—Mitchell Boy Choir. 7:50—News. 8:00—Trick of the Week. 8:05—Bridge Club. 8:15—Tom Harmon.

The picture below was taken Oct. 10, 1948 at the dedication of the new Times-Mirror building. When the footage aired on KFI-TV is unclear.