OLD TV HISTORY: January 2024

Saturday, 27 January 2024

November 1932

Washington, D.C. was left without television when November 1932 came to an end, while New York and a university in the Midwest had stations sign on that month.

Judging by a letter to the New York Sun, it appears the (mis)fortunes of the Jenkins company forced W3XK and W2XAP to sign off. But CBS added a high frequency station to accompany W2XAB while the University of Kansas put its experimental station on the air.

Out on the West Coast, the Don Lee outfit changed the hours it was broadcasting pictures that month.

Regretfully to readers today, the Sun, the only newspaper I can find with television listings, decided to drop its programme schedules and, instead, published hours of operation only. We suspect W2XAB continued with many of the shows it was airing. The Sun used its television section on stories, and diagrams, on building sets.

W9XAK, the Kansas City University station, was on the air. So were W9XAO and W9AXP in Chicago, according to an article in the Des Moines Register.

Perhaps the biggest story for the month was the election night broadcast on CBS. Cameras were still studio-bound and could not film large pictures, so coverage was pretty rudimentary. But it was a first.

There were demonstrations of television in various American cities, as well as Montreal, where regular service appears to have ended. Internationally in November, BBC aimed a TV signal at Denmark, and Mussolini appeared on the small screen in Italy. On time, I suspect.

Here are available schedules, and a few stories, for the month.

Tuesday, November 1, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Fashion Show, Gladys Kahn.
8:15—Baby Ruth Parkin, juvenile performer, dance and song act.
8:25—Correct time.
8:30—Peggy Soennecksen, pianist.
8:45—Songs, Sylvia Sherry and Saul Meerowitz.
9:00—One man jazz band, featuring Vincent “Blue” Mondi.
9:15—Oneida Wright, accordionist
9:30—Three-round boxing bout. Blow by blow description by Dick Madeo on sound side of sight band.
9:45—“Physical Culture,” Tommy Madden.

W2XBS (NBC), New York, 143 meters. (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR (Radio Pictures), New York/Long Island City
5:00—Experimental program.
7:00—Cartoons.
8:00—Films with sound.
9:00—Cartoons.

W3XK (Jenkins Laboratories), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Experimental film programs.
10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAP (Jenkins Television), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Direct pickup.
8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-11:00—Experimental programs.

Station W9XAK, the Kansas State college visual radio broadcasting station, will go on the air tonight from 8 to 9 o’clock with its first regular program. The station was recently issued a license to broadcast on a frequency of 2150 kilocycles and will be on the air regularly each Monday. Wednesday and Friday night from 8 to 9 o’clock hereafter.
The station has been built around the equipment of the old KSAC transmitter by L. C. Pasley, H. H. Higgenbottom, and W. R. Mitchell of the college electrical engineering department. While on the air this evening Higgenbottom will tell some of the building of the station.
Those in charge of the station are not ready to throw the station open for public Inspection, but it is hoped that before long the public will be able to view the station equipment.
The station is equipped to send only films, but by the start of the year the constructors hope to be able to transmit with real persons on the campus before the microphone. Now only the pictures of speaking may be transmitted at one time. Mitchell said some of the old time sets which have a higher frequency than is ordinarily broadcast may be able to hear the speaking portion of the program tomorrow night.
The pick-up and amplifying portion of the equipment was built last spring, but it was not until last summer that the permit for the construction of the station was obtained. Since early in September, the major part of the transmitter has been built.
In explaining the principle of television, the co-workers explained that each picture is taken apart in 4,500 parts, and each part is exposed on the photo cell. Each of these in turn flies on the receiver set at such a fast rate that it is not detectable to the ordinary eye. Twenty complete whole pictures per minute can be thrown upon the screen by this method. (Morning Chronicle, Manhattan, Kansas, Nov. 1)

Wednesday, November 2, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
4:45—Marlen E. Pew, talk.
8:00—Strange People, talk, Henriette Dunlap.
8:15—Correct Time.
8:16—Grace Voss, dancer.
8:30—Sketches.
8:45—Senator Nutt and his “Guffawians,” with George Haller
9:00—George Britton, songs.
9:15—Dramatic sketch, Jane Jonson and Lawrence Menkin.
9:30—Dramatic pantomimes, featuring Estelle Sydney.
9:45—Musical Pastels.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W3XK, W2XAP as above.

Thursday, November 3, 1932

W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—“Out of the Song Shops,” Connie O’Neill.
8:15— “Character Slants,” Bob Davis.
8:30—Marion Harurck, dancer.
8:45—Sketch, John O. Hewitt and players.
9:00—Jack Sneed, guitar.
9:14—Correct time.
9:15—“Chalk Chats,” with Lou Hanlon.
9:30—Burnett Sisters, songs.
9:45—Helen Haynes, songs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-11:00—Film presentations.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental images.

W2XR, W2XAP as above.

Friday, November 4, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Phil and her uke.
8:15—Comic strip, George Kelting.
8:30—Robert McGeehan, cartoons.
8:45—“Spaghett and Rivioli,” Italian comedy team.
9:00—Gladys Kahn, songs.
9:15—Gosslin Sisters, songs.
9:30—David Ramsdell, baritone.
9:45—Football interview, Charles Speer.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.
Another series, Friday evenings every week, 9 to 10 o'clock, will offer a variety program featuring song, drama, mystery and comedy over shortwave W1XAV and W1XAL. This program will be known as "Radio's First Little Show." (Boston Globe, Nov. 4, 1932)

W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs.
8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W2XR as above. W2XBS, W3XK off.

NEW YORK (AP) — Progress, described as good,” is the word that comes from the Philadelphia laboratories where Philo T. Farnsworth, young San Francisco engineer, is working on cathode ray television.
The device, similar to that of Dr. Vladimir Zworykin of Camden, N. J., demonstrated recently to radio manufacturers in New York, has as its basis an electrical means of scanning, both in the transmitter and the receiver, rather than the mechanical disk.
Farnsworth, who is working in factory laboratories, “has made further good progress in the development of cathode ray receivers and tubes,” a statement said.
“However, we do not consider that the results are good enough as yet to warrant the introduction of commercial television receivers. Furthermore, the television broadcasting which must necessarily precede the introduction of commercial television receivers has not yet arrived and apparently is a long way in point of time from being ready.
“We do not believe that either good television broadcasting programs or satisfactory television receivers will be ready for the public before the summer of 1933.”
This statement, coupled with that issued after the private demonstration to radio manufacturers conducted in New York by RCA, indicates clearly that no effort will be made this year to consider television from a manufacturing standpoint, giving the laboratory another year in which to pursue research.
“Althouqh continued progress has been made with television, this development still is in the laboratory stage,” the RCA statement said.
“Much work remains to be done inward the improvement of receiving equipment and the creation of transmission facilities for practical television broadcasting.”
However, numerous favorable comments as to the quality of the pictures reproduced were heard after the New York test, lookers being particularly pleased with the transmission of sound movies direct from a film. (C.E. Butterfield, AP, Nov. 4)

Saturday, November 5, 1932
W2XBS, NBC, New York, 143 meters. (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-9:00—Experimental programs. 9:00-10:00—Sketch.

All other stations are off.

Sunday, November 6, 1932
Eastern stations off the air.
Television set owners, of whom it is believed there are a few hundred, will catch a glimpse of the future when they see bulletins printed on the screens for the first time. That is the way America may get the election returns in the '40s. Station W2XAB will televise pictures of the candidates and the bulletins, beginning at 8 P.M. (New York Times, Nov. 6).

Monday, November 7, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters

8:00—The Television Ghost, mystery story.
8:15—Piano lessons by G. Aldo Randegger.
8:30—Ukulele, Jack Peterson.
8:45—Correct time.
8:50—Wide World Revue, featuring Jack Fleming and players.
9:15—Ethel Aaron, songs.
9:30—Muriel Asche and her Kingsway Kiddies.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR (Radio Pictures), New York/Long Island City
5:00—Experimental programs. 7:00—Cartoons. 8:00—Film with sound. 9:00—Cartoons.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

Tuesday, November 8, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Gene Marx, musical act.
8:15—Baby Ruth Parkin, juvenile performer, dance and song act.
8:25—Correct time.
8:30—Peggy Soennecksen, pianist.
8:45—Songs, Sylvia Sherry and Saul Meerowitz.
9:00—One man jazz band, featuring Vincent “Blue” Mondi.
9:15—Oneida Wright, accordionist
9:30—Election returns.
Television was brought into use for the first time in reporting a national election. Beginning at 8 o'clock, placards on which returns had been lettered were held before the electrical eye of television station W2XAB for the benefit of those having television receivers. Pictures of the principal candidates were also broadcast and a group of studio entertainers filled in during the intervals between important results. (New York Times, Nov. 9)

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, New York
5:00—Experimental program.
7:00—Cartoons.
8:00—Films with sound.
9:00—Cartoons.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-11:00—Experimental programs.

Four major moves, considered the most important since the development of general technical phases, have been made by television during the past week. Expected to have a direct bearing in speeding the air picture’s debut in the New York metropolitan area are:
Decision, with the determination that these points will cover the entire New York zone, to house television’s biggest studio In Radio City but to retain permanently the Empire State Tower as the city’s most powerful and effective transmitting point.
To do away with the screen in the home televisor and to substitute in its place a huge tube which will receive the picture and transmit it to a large mirror on the inside of a cabinet. This will be lifted during reception the same as the top of a victrola.
That films, at least in the early stages of commercial tele, lend themselves easiest to the ether waves. That inanimate rather than animate is not only more effective but can be used at a fraction of the cost.
Radio Corporation of America is already getting ready to produce original pictures for television broadcast in its Photophone studios on 5th ave.
No Price Quoted
RCA-Victor has perfected the mirror televisor which last Thursday night was demonstrated at a private party, composed of television leaders of both continents. No retail price has yet been set on the new televisor and none will be announced until mass marketing gets underway, it is stated.
As television, anyway in New York, could now be marketed, tele experts declare. The radio interests, according to report, do not feel the time Is ripe in that the public pocketbook will require, under present conditions, another period before it will be replenished to the point where it again can consider luxury buying.
The decision to retain the Empire tower comes after two years of experimentation.
Television leaders in New York see no need at this time for establishing film studios in the east. They point out that there are sufficient spots around New York where subjects for television broadcast can be made without the creation of others. (Variety, Nov. 8)

Wednesday, November 9, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
4:45—Marlen E. Pew, talk.
8:00—Strange People, talk, Henriette Dunlap.
8:15—Correct Time.
8:16—Grace Voss, dancer.
8:30—The Old Salt.
8:45—Senator Nutt and his “Guffawians,” with George Haller
9:00—Clarence Lang, songs.
9:15—Fashion Slants.
9:30—Dramatic pantomimes, featuring Estelle Sydney.
9:45—Musical Pastels.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR as above.

Thursday, November 10, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—“Out of the Song Shops,” Connie O’Neill.
8:15— “Character Slants,” Bob Davis.
8:30—Marion Harurck, dancer.
8:45—Sketch, John O. Hewitt and players.
9:00—Jack Sneed, guitar.
9:14—Correct time.
9:15—“Chalk Chats,” with Lou Hanlon.
9:30—Burnett Sisters, songs.
9:45—Helen Haynes, songs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental images.

W2XR as above.

Friday, November 11, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Phil and her uke.
8:15—Charlotte Wreneck, pantomimes.
8:30—Robert McGeehan, cartoons.
8:45—“Spaghett and Rivioli,” Italian comedy team.
9:00—Fsahion Show, Gladys Kahn.
9:15—Gosslin Sisters, songs.
9:30—David Ramsdell, baritone.
9:45—Football interview, Charles Speer.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XBS, W2XR off.

Saturday, November 12, 1932
W2XBS, NBC, New York, 143 meters. (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-9:00—Experimental programs. 9:00-10:00—Sketch.

W2XAB and W2XR are off.

Sunday, November 13, 1932
Eastern and Western stations off the air.

Monday, November 14, 1932

W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00-9:30—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XBS, W2XR off.

Saturday, November 19, 1932
W2XBS, NBC, New York, 143 meters. (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-9:00—Experimental programs. 9:00-10:00—Sketch.

All other stations are off.

The Picture Gallery
K. L. CARLTON, New Brighton, Staten Island—Last evening I looked in on television stations W2XAB, W2XBS and W2XR, all in the city of New York. On W2XR one sees the swinging pendulum and other moving objects together with the words “Radio Pictures, 41 Park Row, which are run through occasionally. It was only last week that I finished my home-made receiver, consisting of six tubes, including the neon lamp. My scanner has a disk of sixty holes; the motor is the universal type with adjustable rheostat. This allows me to run the motor at almost any speed up to 1,800.
Wants Diagram.
L. SHILAN., Yonkers, N. Y.—Having become interested in television and having on hand quite a number of parts which I believe can be used in the making up of a receiver for television, I need a circuit program. Can one be purchased in which six tubes are used as follows: three-24 type screen grid tubes, a pentode and a crater neon lamp? What size resistor is needed to control the brilliancy of the neon lamp? Where is it placed in circuit?
Reply-The circuit diagram shows a six tube receiver designed for the tubes mentioned. The values of the resistors needed in the various grid and plate circuits are given, together with the value of the brilliancy control, which in this circuit is rated at 25,000 ohms. Its place in the power stage is shown in the diagram.

Wants More Program Hours.
ALLEN POLNER, Brooklyn, N. Y.—Television programs are improving, especially from W2XAB. Last week I looked in and was more than pleased with the results. Gladys Kahn and Jane Whitney come through fair, as did Aldo Randegger and his piano. It should be understood that some programs are not as interesting as others, but of course one has only to turn the dial. My complaint is that some of the stations should stay on the air longer. For instance, W2XAB and W2XBS come on at about 7 and go off at about 10 P. M. This leaves only W2XR and W1XAV to work on. Their programs are not very interesting, and after looking in on them for ten or more minutes one feels like turning the dial but there are no other stations available. Are there any reasons why the New York stations can’t stay on a little longer in the evening?
Gets Kick in Television.
G. U. OZARK, Astoria, L. I . – Television programs still come over my set and scanner in very good shape. I must say that progress is being made. Direct vision transmission from W2XAB and W2XBS come over now with more detail. Pictures from W2XR always have been picked up in my home, where I make nightly observations. This is a fair station, but I believe that they run their pictures through the machine too rapidly.
W2XAB is doing some nice work. The transmission is very good and I do not hesitate to invite people in my home when something worth while is to be seen. I am able to hold pictures from this station without any ghost effects. The sound programs have always been enjoyed by my entire family. The setup I am using gives me a good size picture about 4 by 4 inches. As many as eight persons have assembled around the machine at one time to look at the programs. What is needed now in television are better programs and more stations.
Likes Television
M. Miller, Long Island City—For the last few months I have been looking in on television subjects, especially film which is now being broadcast by a number of stations. At my residence signals are exceptionally good, W2XR comes in good but his pictures are more or less the same every week. Of course they alternate the pictures but it becomes tiresome when one sees the same pictures over and over week in and week out. W3XK in Washington comes in quite well but recently have not heard him on the air. The pictures as transmitted from this station some weeks ago were very good. Accompanying speech with my receiver has not been tried out yet. Of course fading on W3XK and W2XBS is most of the time present.
Constructs His First Set.
M. Blair, White Plains N. Y. – Wednesday night I finished my first television receiver. It comprises two stages of tuned radio frequency amplification, using -24 type tubes, a -27 as detector and two stages of audio amplification with two -45 power tubes in parallel. In tests conducted with a loudspeaker used in place of a televisor signals heard with good strength were from W2XBS, W2XAB and W2XR. (New York Sun, Nov. 19, 1932)

Sunday, November 20, 1932
Eastern stations off the air.

NEW YORK.—(AP)—The federal radio commission is “not yet convinced that television has emerged from the laboratory” nor is it “ready to matriculate into the more severe course of adult entertainment and education.”
In these words Larry A. LaFount, member of the commission, summed up the general television situation for the radio manufacturer’s convention and trade show in Chicago.
Electrical Scanning Tests
Meanwhile the commission has granted an experimental transmiss1on license to the Philadelphia laboratories in which Philo T. Farnsworth is conducting his tests with electrical scanning for both transmitter and receiver.
The station is to use the call letters W3XE, with permission to operate on 109.1, 6.9$, 6.19 and 5 meters. Power is listed as 1,500 watts.
Until this transmitter gets into operation Farnsworth, as he has in the past, is confining his efforts to laboratory setups. The laboratory also has been granted an experimental license for W3XS to use 1,500 watts on 34.68 and 17.34 meters.
Television in Flight
Out on the Pacific coast, Los Angeles In particular, where Harry R. Lubcke is conducting experiments with the cathode ray tube, some interest was aroused through the reception of television pictures in an airplane.
The receiver, about as large as the average sized console broadcast set, was whizzed through the air in a cabin plane as Lubcke and others watched the radio pictures coming from the ground 3,000 feet below.
Lubcke’s station, operated in conjunction with KHJ, is testing 80-line transmission in the vicinity of seven meters.
While this was not the first time that television had been picked up in a plane, it marked a preliminary stage in the reception of seven-meter signals on a cathode ray set and the same time demonstrated the good signals obtainable on these waves in the sky. (C.E. Butterfield, AP column, Nov. 20)

Monday, November 21, 1932

W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00-9:30—Experimental programs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR (Radio Pictures), New York/Long Island City
5:00—Experimental programs. 7:00—Cartoons. 8:00—Film with sound. 9:00—Cartoons.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

Tuesday, November 22, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00-9:30—Experimental programs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, New York
5:00—Experimental program.
7:00—Cartoons.
8:00—Films with sound.
9:00—Cartoons.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-11:00—Experimental programs.

The Columbia Broadcasting System has begun regular daily transmission of images from a new ultra low wave experimental station, according to an announcement today by William A. Schudt Jr., television program director of the company.
Licensed by the Federal Radio Commission under the call letter W2XAX the new transmitter has been installed along side of W2XAB, sight and sound 107 meter station located in the CBS Building in New York City.
For the past few weeks W2XAX has been on the air with test programs. Effective as of Nov. 15, the new station began television transmission on a frequency of 44 megacycles.
W2XAX will transmit television images every day except Saturday and Sunday from 4:00 to 4:45. E. S. T.
It is interesting to note that the recent experiments by Senator Guglielmo Marconi, during which he successfully "bent" ultra short waves, took place on frequencies close to that on which the new CBS television station is now operating. (Charles Butterfield, AP columnist)

Wednesday, November 23, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00-9:30—Experimental programs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR as above.

Since the operation of the college television station, W9XAK, several people In Manhattan, have begun to build receivers which L. C. Paslay, one of the constructors of the college station, said are inexpensive to build for local reception. Many others have inquired about building such sets and plan to start soon.
The station plans to put on the air soon some motion pictures of “Ramming” Ralph Graham, Dougal Russell, and Prof. and Mrs. O. Kloeffler.
Not only have a number in this vicinity received the programs sent out by the College station, but reception has been recorded in Elmira, N. Y. Many other states have also reported good reception. The letter received from. New, York stated the college station signals had been stronger than several other television stations now transmitting.
It is understood, although not officially announced, that moving the college station from the engineering building to the serum plans [?] is considered. (Manhattan Mercury, Nov. 23)

Hiram Motherwell, editor of Stage Magazine, will speak on “Covering the News of the Theater” when he is heard in Bill Schudt’s “Going to Press” program over WABC and television station W2XAB Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 4:45 to 5 p.m. Motherwell, a recognized authority on the theater, has been editor of Stage Magazine since its inception at the Theatre Guild Magazine, official organ of the New York Theatre Guild, in 1926. He has written many articles on stagecraft and his book, “The Theatre Today,” is the official text book of many schools of the theater. Before joining the Theatre Guild Magazine, Motherwell was engaged in newspaper work for some time. (Brooklyn Eagle, Nov. 20)

Thursday, November 24, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00-9:30—Experimental programs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental images.

W2XR as above.

Friday, November 25, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00-9:30—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XBS, W2XR off.

Saturday, November 26, 1932
W2XBS, NBC, New York, 143 meters. (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-9:00—Experimental programs. 9:00-10:00—Sketch.

W2XAB, W2XR off the air

NEW YORK, Nov. 26—Television is one step further on the long and tortuous way toward a revered place in the drawing room.The Columbia Broadcasting Company demonstrated the progress for the first time here, with stage and radio stars assisting, the salient fact being that images as large as 30 inches square can be received more clearly now than ever in the past.
Use of a new source of cold light, a lamp generating a quarter of a million candle power, made the improvement possible. Insufficient light intensity in reproducing the images hitherto has been a major drawback in television. So, with the new light operating, the image of Helen Morgan's countenance zipped across the building tops from 485 Madison Avenue to the fifty-seventh floor of the Chrysler Building, and the spectators in a darkened studio saw it emerge with pleasant clarity on the 30-inch screen.
So did that of Willie Howard and Eugene Howard, Tony Canzoneri and Rosamond Pinchot, and a dozen others.
Not Recognized

But the sober truth is that there were times when none but their immediate families would have recognized them. It is true, too, that at other times they were startlingly clear.
The effect of enlarging the pictures, without increasing the detail, was the same as that obtained by looking at a coarse-screen newspaper reproduction through a magnifying glass.
The background was a pale gray-blue, in contrast with the ruddy background in the smaller sets used by Columbia.
Only heads were shown and these sometimes seemed shadows, sometimes were partly obliterated by horizontal streaks of light, as the picture's clarity changed.
Yet this, television connoisseurs said, was another step along the way.
Obstacles Ahead
The truth of this reveals the prodigious obstacles which television has surmounted and those still rising ahead. For experts agree that it is only by the infinite refinement of component parts of the apparatus that progress is being made. The principles have not changed since Paul Nipkow's invention of the television disk revealed them in Germany in 1884.
The mystery of how to produce a tremendous light intensity without heat, however, has been one of the main obstacles, and the Myers Electrical Research Laboratory, of New York, which developed the new cold light lamp, believes it has cleared this up. Its lamp functions at an efficiency equal to 20 times that of the best electric lluminating lamps of the incandescent type and has six to seven times the brilliancy per watt of electricity of the carbon arc light.
But radio engineers agreed that television comparable to motion pictures as they now are shown is not just around the, corner. It is coming, but the corner will not be turned, they until many more refinements of the components are made.
So, they said, the work of refinement goes on, the questions of transmission, solved largely by use of the short waves, are considered along with the questions involving different methods of scanning.
One of the surest straws in the wind is Radio City; it is installing television studios even though they are not to be put into use until some time long past the new buildings’ opening. (William Engle, Scripps-Howard Staff Writer)
[Note: columnist Ring Lardner, Jr., wrote Nov. 27 that television could not take a wide enough shot of Morgan lying on the piano, so she had to sing standing up].

Sunday, November 27, 1932
New York, Boston and Los Angeles stations off the air.

Monday, November 28, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00-9:30—Experimental programs.

W2XAX (CBS), New York, 6.9 metres (no sound)
4:00-4:45—Experimental programs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR (Radio Pictures), New York/Long Island City
5:00—Experimental programs. 7:00—Cartoons. 8:00—Film with sound. 9:00—Cartoons.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

Tuesday, November 29, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00-9:30—Experimental programs.

W2XAX (CBS), New York, 6.9 metres (no sound)
4:00-4:45—Experimental programs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, New York
5:00—Experimental program.
7:00—Cartoons.
8:00—Films with sound.
9:00—Cartoons.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-11:00—Experimental programs.

Wednesday, November 30, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00-9:30—Experimental programs.

W2XAX (CBS), New York, 6.9 metres (no sound)
4:00-4:45—Experimental programs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR as above.

MANHATTAN, Ks.—An official license for the experimental television radio station has been received here. The college station will broadcast three programs a week using football stars. The license is good only until May. (Council Grove Republican, Nov. 30)

Here are two TV columns from Billboard, one from Nov. 5 and the other three weeks later. There isn't much informative to read. Click to enlarge.

Saturday, 20 January 2024

October 1932

NBC had a TV station with pictures but no sound. CBS had a TV station with sound but no pictures.

Such was the unusual situation in October 1932. NBC’s W2XBS was still testing; it really wasn’t until the New York World’s Fair in 1939 that it had regular, real programming. Meanwhile, CBS was testing a second transmitter, W2XAX, in a different frequency range. Its W2XAB was still on the air two hours every weeknight with a variety of shows.

The big show for CBS that month was likely a push from the Democratic National Committee. It rated a review in Variety, the first of its kind.

Let’s look through some TV listings and highlights for October 1932. Most of the chatter involves W2XAB as it was airing live studio programming. The schedules come from the New York Sun. They are incomplete. The big Democratic show we mentioned above isn’t listed. I can find very little in the way of programming in Chicago and nothing from Los Angeles or Montreal.

Saturday, October 1, 1932
W2XBS, NBC, New York, 143 meters. (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-9:00—Experimental programs. 9:00-10:00—Sketch.

W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs. 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XR are off.

Football will share in the limelight of television when at 9:45 P. M. next Friday W2XAB begins the first of a series of football interviews conducted by Charles Speer.
W2XAB also will set a precedent when for the first time in history television takes part in a national election, when it attempts to project the results of the polling as it takes place throughout the day and night on November 8.
Bob Davis, character actor, will begin an unusual series of presentations Monday at 9:15 P. M., to be known as character slants.
Another pioneer television act returns Monday. On that day W2XAB projects lessons in piano playing by G. Aldo Randegger, concert pianist and tutor. These lessons will be broadcast weekly at the same hour.
W2XAB adds a mystery singer to its program next Tuesday when at 9: 15 P M. it carries the musical presentation of "The Flower Girl" accompanied by Juanita Wright, accordionist.
Three rounds of exhibition boxing under the auspices of Dick Madeo will be televised from a miniature fight ring Tuesday at 9.30 P. M. Madeo will give a blow by blow description over the station's sound channel.
The Columbia Broadcasting network will be synchronised with W2XAB once again next Wednesday at 4:45 P. M. on the "Going to Press" program, the featured speaker being Al Sherman, motion picture critic.
Grace Voss will be heard and seen in a special television show Wednesday at 8:15 P. M. Miss Voss has arranged a series of pantomimes and monologues which she will introduce on this date. (New York Sun)

NEW YORK, Oct. 1—Elvia Herndon, w.-k. burly [well-known burlesque] redhead has been set down in the books as a perfect television type and was televised over the CBS experimental station by Bill Schudt. Probably the first burlesque woman to be seen and heard over television. (Billboard, Oct. 8)

Sunday, October 2, 1932
W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs. 8:00-9:30—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV are off.

Monday, October 3, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—The Television Ghost, mystery story.
8:15—Piano lessons by G. Aldo Randegger.
8:30—Ukulele, Jack Peterson.
8:45—Baseball scores, correct time.
8:50—Wide World Revue, featuring Jack Fleming and players.
9:15— “Character Slants,” Dramatic monologues by Bob Davis.
9:30—Muriel Asche and Kiddies.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR (Radio Pictures), New York/Long Island City
5:00—Experimental programs. 7:00—Cartoons. 8:00—Film with sound. 9:00—Cartoons.

W2XAP (Jenkins Television), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00, 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK (Jenkins Laboratories), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

Tuesday, October 4, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Fashion Show, Gladys Kahn.
8:15—Baby Ruth Parkin, juvenile performer, dance and song act.
8:25—Baseball scores.
8:30—Peggy Sonnecksen, pianist.
8:45—Songs, Sylvia Sherry and Saul Meerowitz.
9:00—One man jazz band, featuring Vincent “Blue” Mondi.
9:15—Oneida Wright, accordionist
9:30—Three-round boxing bout. Blow by blow description by Dick Madeo on sound side of sight band.
9:45—Illustrated talk, Henrietta Dunlap.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-11:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W3XK, W2XAP as above.

Television must be getting better. A looker-in was watching the CBS-W2XAB boxing bout last Tuesday evening [4]. He wrote from Dayton, Ohio, to say that he had guessed that one of the combatants had been in the prize ring the day before. He clearly saw a big black eye! He also reported two scratches on the right side of the fighter`s face. As a matter of fact, the boxer was Pete Albino and he had taken a walloping the night before in a Brooklyn arena. (Bill Schudt, Jr., column, Brooklyn Eagle, Oct. 11)

Wednesday, October 5, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
5:00—“Going to Press” with Bill Schudt, Jr., synchronized with WABC. Al Sherman, guest.
8:00—Television magic, Edwin Howard.
8:15—Baseball scores.
8:16—Grace Voss, dancer.
8:30—Hair fashions, Ferdinand Graf.
8:45—Senator Nutt and his “Guffawians,” with George Haller
9:00—George Britton, songs.
9:15—Beauty talk, Dr. J. Howard Crum.
9:30—Dramatic pantomimes, featuring Estelle Sydney.
9:45—Musical Pastels.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W3XK, W2XAP as above.

Thursday, October 6, 1932
*W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters (see note below)
8:00—Harry Fries, musical saw.
8:15—“Out of the Song Shops,” Connie O’Neill.
8:30—“Tele-talkies,” Hewitt Players.
8:45—Marion Harwick, dancer.
9:00—Mortimer Miller, pianist.
9:14—Baseball scores.
9:15—“Chalk Chats,” with Lou Hanlon.
9:30—Burnett Sisters, songs.
9:45—Helen Haynes, songs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W2XAP, W1XAV as above.

The near-record rain storm yesterday [6] was followed by near record cold today...
In addition to the other damage, the high wind yesterday blew down the transmitting antenna wires of W2XAB, the Columbia Broadcasting System’s television station at 485 Madison ave., Manhattan. This accident cause the first enforced inactivity for the television sender since the studio was opened in July 1931. New wires were being attached today. (Brooklyn Eagle)

Friday, October 7, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Phil and her uke.
8:15—Comic strip, George Kelting.
8:30—Aviation interviews, Burt McElfresh. Guest, Guy Paschal, Postal Telegraph.
8:45—“Spaghett and Rivioli,” Italian comedy team.
9:00—Gladys Kahn, songs.
9:15—Gosslin Sisters, songs.
9:30—David Ramsdell, baritone.
9:45—Football interview, Charles Speer

W2XR, W2XAP, W1XAV as above. W2XBS, W3XK off.

Saturday, October 8, 1932
W2XBS, NBC, New York, 143 meters. (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 m. (Sound on W1XAU, 193 m.)
8:00-9:00—Experimental programs. 9:00-10:00—Sketch.

W2XAP, Washington, 147 m. (Sound on W3XJ, 193 m.)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs. 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 m. (Sound on W3XJ, 193 m.)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XR are off.

A wide variety of educational and entertainment features will be brought to metropolitan scanners during the coming week by W2XAB.
Running the gamut from boxing to classic dancing and from piano lessons to football interviews the schedule appears this week in its fall and winter line-up.
“Strange People” has been given a regular spot on W2XAB beginning Wednesday at 8 P. M., with Edwin Howard’s magic tricks shifted to Tuesdays at 9:45 P. M.
Lou Hanlon, who has been drawing “Follies of Life” on W2XAB for over a year, has now turned to sketching out the news events pictures of the week.
George Kelting, creator of musical crayons, another television art strip, has traded his easel for a blackboard and decision to become television’s old man teacher. He holds classes every Thursday evening over W2XAB at 8 P. M. Helen Haynes, former star of “East Wind,” has arranged an especially adapted miniature musical comedy song revue which she will present over television on Thursday at 9:45 P. M. Gladys Kahn will resume her song pictures presentations Friday at 9 P. M.
Second in a new series of football interviews by Charles Speer will be continued on Friday at 9:45 P. M., when he will question some gridiron authority and predict the outcome of next Saturday’s games.
Piano lessons by television will be carried over W2XAB every Monday at 8:15 P. M., under the guidance of Prof. G. Aldo Randegger, concert pianist and tutor. (New York Sun)

Sunday, October 9, 1932
W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs. 8:00-9:30—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV are off.

Monday, October 10, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—The Television Ghost, mystery story.
8:15—Piano lessons by G. Aldo Randegger.
8:30—Ukulele, Jack Peterson.
8:45—Baseball scores, correct time.
8:50—Wide World Revue, featuring Jack Fleming and players.
9:15— “Character Slants,” Dramatic monologues by Bob Davis.
9:30—Muriel Asche and Kiddies.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR (Radio Pictures), New York/Long Island City
5:00—Experimental programs. 7:00—Cartoons. 8:00—Film with sound. 9:00—Cartoons.

W2XAP (Jenkins Television), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00, 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK (Jenkins Laboratories), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W9XAO (Western Television), Chicago (Sound on WIBO, 560 kcs.)
7:15-8:00—Vocalist and television views.

Tuesday, October 11, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
7:00—Gladys Kahn, songs.
7:15—“Character Slants,” Bob Davis.
*7:30—Dramatic pantomime, Estelle Sidney (see story below)
7:45—Jack Peterson, songs.
8:00—Fashion Show, Gladys Kahn.
8:15—Baby Ruth Parkin, juvenile performer, dance and song act.
8:25—Baseball scores.
8:30—Peggy Soennecksen, pianist.
8:45—Songs, Sylvia Sherry and Saul Meerowitz.
9:00—One man jazz band, featuring Vincent “Blue” Mondi.
9:15—Oneida Wright, accordionist
9:30—Three-round boxing bout. Blow by blow description by Dick Madeo on sound side of sight band.
9:45—Illustrated talk, Henrietta Dunlap.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-11:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W3XK, W2XAP as above.

TELEVISION REVIEW
(Following is the first television broadcast review treated from an amusement angle and carried by a trade paper)

‘BROADWAY ON PARADE’
With Helen Morgan, Leon Janney, Bob Davis, Willie and Eugene Howard, Billy Glason, Verna Burke and Tony Canzoneri
Sustaining, 60 Mins.
W2XAB, New York
Elmer B. Myers, the inventor, had gathered (11) a representation from the press to demonstrate how his ‘cold light’ tube picks up and projects a television imagine. To help keep the boys regaled on this occasion Bill Schudt, impresario for the ‘CBS Talkies of the Air,’ prevailed upon Wayne Pierson to bring over a group of entertainer, to the network’s studios for simultaneous broadcasting by mike and photo electric cell.
From the entertainment angle this two hours of casting wasn’t much of a demonstration. Held in a suite on the 57th floor of the Chrysler building, it demonstrated that television is still not yet around that proverbial corner. It’s Myers’ contention that his ‘cold light’ bulb has overcome one of television’s biggest obstacles in that it provides a source of unlimited light for projection of the ether image. As he sees the situation, the mechanics of television have been fairly well established, but a satisfactory light source was lacking until the advent of his ‘cold light’ tube.
Regardless of whether Myers’ lamp is to be hailed as a forward step in practical television, the images flashed across the 26-inch screen set up in the demonstrating room seemed to embody no more refined definition than created by the lamps used by the RCA, Jenkins, Sanabria or Western Television Corp. projectors. About the only difference between the Myers picture and the others is the portrait background. The others make use of an incandescent lamp and the image is cast on a field of red, while the Myers portrait flickers across a field of aquamarine green, with the effect at times weirdest of them all. This light colored background sharpens the outlines, but seems to blur the photographic shadings.
Few of the entertainers on the bill were approachably recognizable. There was no mistaking the Eugene Howard profile, but his brother Wíllie’s pan didn’t make uot [sic] so well. It is assumed that Willie went through the usual mugging as he bandied gags with his brother before the photoelectric cells. On the receiving end this mugging reproduced itself as so many smudges and streaks. Helen Morgan did one of her favorite numbers, but the visual impression brought out none of the lip trembling nuances that go with them. General register of the Morgan facial image, even on the closeups, was no better. Only face in the whole parade that came over clearly defined was that or Verna Burke, the blues warbler from radio.
Billy Glason took over the m.c.’ing from Bob Davis and started off with an interview with Tony Canzoneri, who answered a raft of conventional questions about the prizefight craft and other topics. Boxer’s voice personality clicked nicely, but the image didn’t do much to distinguish him from a couple of the fellows that had preceded him. Glason took the occasion to reel off a couple at ditties and followed this up with an introduction of Rosamond Pinchot, who said something about working with the Democratic campaign committee and streaked from the photoelectric cells before they had a chance to focus her. On the fore-end of the entertaining list Leon Janney put in a personal appearance with the poem he elected coming over impressively, but not so forte when it came to the visualization.
‘Broadway on Parade’ filled half at that evening’s two-hour stretch of sound and picture casting from W2XAB. This two-hour combined radio and television affair is put on four nights a week. Programs that preceded the ‘Parade’ phase that evening carried several warblers, a lad doing a protean act and a girl showing the latest fashions in headgear. Fashion demonstrator registered visually the clearest of the lot. Screening throughout the entire show was frequently broken up by elemental interferences. Broadcasting of both the visual and sound waves was done over the same short wave channels, with the latter consistently okay.
Myers calls his light ‘cold’ because most of the electric energy is used to produce light, and not heat, as happens with an incandescent lamp. His lamp, he says, generates 250,000 candlepower of light, and that, Myers explains, is what television needs to flood the screen with an illumination that clarifies the pictures. The Myers tube is described as ‘an inductively energized lamp’ which creates light by the breaking up of the mercury atom in a specially contrived quartz bulb. A thimbleful of mercury is in each bulb. Myers claims that these tubes can be made to produce 1,000,000 candlepower, and with all this light available he says he plans to cast television images on a theatre-size screen. The inventor, who was at one time an assistant of Dr. Lee DeForest, enlarging on the theatre angle, stated that he proposed building a high-powered television transmitter rated at 10,000 watts and also television-equipped trucks that will flash scenes beck to the main station for relay to theatres. Odec. (Variety, Oct. 18)

NOT since a pioneer gaze it tele vision revealed a beautiful soubrette as a bearded lady has William A. Schudt, Jr., Columbia’s director of visual broadcasting, received such a high index of audience interest as he did the other evening. Shortly before ex-Follies girls and Manhattans best models were scheduled to parade fash1ons before the television eye, a gale blew the show off the air when the aerial west down. Ten lookers-in called within eight minutes and one man telegraphed from Schenectady for an explanation. But there was no redress. For the first time in its fifteen months of experimental operation, visual station W2XAB was dark all night. (Robert D. Heinl, Washington Post, Oct. 11)

Wednesday, October 12, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Television magic, Edwin Howard.
8:15—Baseball scores.
8:16—Grace Voss, dancer.
8:30—Hair fashions, Ferdinand Graf.
8:45—Senator Nutt and his “Guffawians,” with George Haller
9:00—George Britton, songs.
9:15—Dramatic sketch.
9:30—Dramatic pantomimes, featuring Estelle Sydney.
9:45—Musical Pastels.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W3XK, W2XAP as above.

Thursday, October 13, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Harry Fries, musical saw.
8:15—“Out of the Song Shops,” Connie O’Neill.
8:30—“Tele-talkies,” Hewitt Players.
8:45—Marion Harwick, dancer.
9:00—Mortimer Miller, pianist.
9:14—Baseball scores.
9:15—“Chalk Chats,” with Lou Hanlon.
9:30—Burnett Sisters, songs.
9:45—Helen Haynes, songs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-11:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W2XAP, W1XAV as above.

Friday, October 14, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Phil and her uke.
8:15—Comic strip, George Kelting.
8:30—Aviation interviews, Burt McElfresh.
8:45—“Spaghett and Rivioli,” Italian comedy team.
9:00—Gladys Kahn, songs.
9:15— Gosslin Sisters, songs.
9:30—David Ramsdell, baritone.
9:45—Football interview, Charles Speer.

W2XR, W2XAP, W1XAV as above. W2XBS, W3XK off.

NEW YORK, Oct. 14 (AP)—Cold light reproducing television signals are being demonstrated from W2XAB-CBS. This development of cold, or inductive light, is the work of E. B. Myers, pioneer radio engineer.
In the tests, the images are thrown on a screen 28 inches square, the transmitter being located half a mile away from the receiving post. (C.E. Butterfield column)

Saturday, October 15, 1932
W2XBS, NBC, New York, 143 meters. (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-9:00—Experimental programs. 9:00-10:00—Sketch.

W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs.
8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation.
10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XR are off.

The London Crime Club, a mystery serial under the direction of Jack Fleming, will be seen and heard over W2XAB on Monday at 8:50 P. M. This series, for the time being, replaces the Wide World Revue, which has been presented at this time for the last two months. The revue will he resumed at the conclusion of the serial.
George Haller presents an amusing comedy sketch on Wednesday at 8:45 P. M. On the same night, at 9:15 W2XAB will offer a new series of sketches called “Just Snapshots,” concerning the plight of a young woman and her boy friend. The part of the girl will be played by Jane Johnson, the boy will be portrayed by Jack Meir.
Grace Voss will present a one-act play over W2XAB Wednesday at 8:16 P. M., which she had adapted especially for television broadcasting.
Tele-talkies on Thursday at 8:50 P. M. brings to the scanners the John Hewitt players, while on Friday at 8:45, Spaghett and Ravioli continue their antics in the offices of the Fresh Ice Company.
Jack Sneed makes his debut on W2XAB in a series of fifteen-minute musical program Monday at 8 P. M.
G. Aldo Randegger will give another piano lesson over W2XAB Monday at 8:15 P. M., while television lookers in will see juvenile stars perform later the same evening when Muriel Asche presents her “Kingsway Kiddies.” (New York Sun)

Sunday, Oct. 16, 1932
W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs. 8:00-9:30—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV are off.

For the first time in history television will report a national election when W2XAB – C. B. S. visual broadcaster over in Manhattan, televises the ballots, together with photos of candidates and drawings by well-known sketch artists.
W2XAB has also pioneered along other lines. For instance, it was first to project a playboard-description of football games and baseball. It televised the box scores of the World Series; it projected on the pictorial air the first authentic boxing bouts, wrestling and football interviews; it projected art exhibitions, and even participated in the search for a criminal when it broadcast pictures of the Lindbergh baby shortly after the kidnaping had been reported and broadcast. It flashed these pictures on the air day and night for several weeks.
On the other hand, this Columbia visual station has made progress in studio technique unbelieved possible a year ago. It successfully transmits both sight and sound on one channel. It brought to television the first use of scenic backdrops and props, as well as an operating technique entirely different from that utilized in radio, motion pictures and on the stage.
W2XAB has a great future. It is the pioneer television broadcast station of the networks, it will grow slowly but surely. Already its audience reaches down as far as Shreveport, La., and west to Nebraska and north into Canada. An estimated audience of 15,000 persons look in each night on W2XAB, it is conservatively estimated.
This audience, then, is larger than could be crowded into the largest theater. (Bill Schudt, Jr., column, Brooklyn Eagle)

Monday, October 17, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—The Television Ghost, mystery story.
8:15—Piano lessons by G. Aldo Randegger.
8:30—Ukulele, Jack Peterson.
8:45—Baseball scores, correct time.
8:50—Wide World Revue, featuring Jack Fleming and players.
9:15 “Character Slants,” dramatic monologues by Bob Davis.
9:30—Muriel Asche and Kiddies.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR (Radio Pictures), New York/Long Island City
5:00—Experimental programs. 7:00—Cartoons. 8:00—Film with sound. 9:00—Cartoons.

W2XAP (Jenkins Television), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00, 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK (Jenkins Laboratories), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

Tuesday, October 18, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Fashion Show, Gladys Kahn.
8:15—Baby Ruth Parkin, juvenile performer, dance and song act.
8:25—Baseball scores.
8:30—Peggy Soennecksen, pianist.
8:45—Songs, Sylvia Sherry and Saul Meerowitz.
9:00—One man jazz band, featuring Vincent “Blue” Mondi.
9:15—Oneida Wright, accordionist
9:30—Three-round boxing bout. Blow by blow description by Dick Madeo on sound side of sight band.
9:45—Illustrated talk, Henrietta Dunlap.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-11:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W3XK, W2XAP as above.

Wednesday, October 19, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Television magic, Edwin Howard.
8:15—Baseball scores.
8:16—Grace Voss, dancer.
8:30—Hair fashions, Ferdinand Graf.
8:45—Senator Nutt and his “Guffawians,” with George Haller
9:00—George Britton, songs.
9:15—Beauty talk, Dr. J. Howard Crum.
9:30—Dramatic pantomimes, featuring Estelle Sydney.
9:45—Musical Pastels.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W3XK, W2XAP as above.

Thursday, October 20, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Harry Fries, musical saw.
8:15—“Out of the Song Shops,” Connie O’Neill.
8:30—“Tele-talkies,” Hewitt Players.
8:45—Marion Harwick, dancer.
9:00—Mortimer Miller, pianist.
9:14—Baseball scores.
9:15—“Chalk Chats,” with Lou Hanlon.
9:30—Burnett Sisters, songs.
9:45—Helen Haynes, songs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-11:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W2XAP, W1XAV as above.

Friday, October 21, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Phil and her uke.
8:15—Comic strip, George Kelting.
8:30—Aviation interviews, Burt McElfresh.
8:45—“Spaghett and Rivioli,” Italian comedy team.
9:00—Gladys Kahn, songs.
9:15— Gosslin Sisters, songs.
9:30—David Ramsdell, baritone.
9:45—Football interview, Charles Speer.

W2XR, W2XAP, W1XAV as above. W2XBS, W3XK off.

Saturday, October 22, 1932
W2XBS, NBC, New York, 143 meters. (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-9:00—Experimental programs. 9:00-10:00—Sketch.

W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs. 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XR are off.

Plans to circumvent the fading and double television images encountered in local areas are to be put into effect this coming week by W2XAX. Tests on the ultra short waves, which are said to possess distinctive virtues with only one major drawback, that of narrow range, will be conducted, beginning Monday and every weekday thereafter except Sundays, from 4 to 5 P. M. The frequency to be used will be 44 megacycles or 6.9 meters.
During the first few weeks, it is said, no attempts will be made to transmit pictures. The same program material as that used by WABC will be transmitted by W2XAX, in order that the listener possessing an ultra short wave receiver may easily identify the station.
To Measure Field strength.
Engineers believe that the antenna design has a great deal to do with the degree of signal strength delivered. The transmitter is now housed in 485 Madison avenue, the home of W2XAB, its associated television station. In an effort to learn what is taking place and to determine what improvements must be made engineers are preparing to measure the field strength from its new transmitter as soon as everything has been thoroughly checked up.
The situation that has developed in connection with W2XAB has strengthened the opinion that the 107 meter wave length used by this station is not ideal for picture transmission. Particularly is this so in areas close to the station. Receivers 300 miles or more distant often report better results than those ten or twenty miles away.
Range Is Limited.
This phenomena is not so marked with the ultra short waves, it appears. Some engineers have placed the range at twenty-five to forty miles.
The absence of reflection from the Heaviside layer, which, they say, eliminates the ghost effects experienced when operating in the 100 to 185 meter band, is one of the outstanding differences when working below 8 meters. Static on these frequencies is similiarly [sic] absent, whether it be atmospheric or man made. This means that a very low background level is experienced when these short waves are used. (New York Sun)

Sunday, October 23, 1932
W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs. 8:00-9:30—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV are off.

Monday, October 24, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—The Television Ghost, mystery story.
8:15—Piano lessons by G. Aldo Randegger.
8:30—Ukulele, Jack Peterson.
8:45—Correct time.
8:50—Wide World Revue, featuring Jack Fleming and players.
9:15—Ethel Aaron, songs.
9:30—Fashion show.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR (Radio Pictures), New York/Long Island City
5:00—Experimental programs. 7:00—Cartoons. 8:00—Film with sound. 9:00—Cartoons.

W2XAP (Jenkins Television), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00, 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK (Jenkins Laboratories), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

Tuesday, October 25, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Fashion Show, Gladys Kahn.
8:15—Baby Ruth Parkin, juvenile performer, dance and song act.
8:25—Correct time.
8:30—Peggy Soennecksen, pianist.
8:45—Songs, Sylvia Sherry and Saul Meerowitz.
9:00—One man jazz band, featuring Vincent “Blue” Mondi.
9:15—Oneida Wright, accordionist
9:30—Three-round boxing bout. Blow by blow description by Dick Madeo on sound side of sight band.
9:45—“Physical Culture,” Tommy Madden.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-11:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W3XK, W2XAP as above.

Wednesday, October 26, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Television magic, Edwin Howard.
8:15—Correct Time.
8:16—Grace Voss, dancer.
8:30—Sketches.
8:45—Senator Nutt and his “Guffawians,” with George Haller
9:00—George Britton, songs.
9:15—Dramatic sketch, Jane Jonson and Lawrence Menkin.
9:30—Dramatic pantomimes, featuring Estelle Sydney.
9:45—Musical Pastels.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W3XK, W2XAP as above.

Thursday, October 27, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—“Out of the Song Shops,” Connie O’Neill.
8:15— “Character Slants,” Bob Davis.
8:30—“Tele-talkies,” Hewitt Players.
8:45—Sketch, John O. Hewitt and players.
9:00—Jack Sneed, guitar.
9:14—Correct time.
9:15—“Chalk Chats,” with Lou Hanlon.
9:30—Burnett Sisters, songs.
9:45—Helen Haynes, songs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-11:00—Film presentations.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental images.

W2XR, W2XAP as above.

Friday, October 28, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Phil and her uke.
8:15—Comic strip, George Kelting.
8:30—Aviation interviews, Burt McElfresh.
8:45—“Spaghett and Rivioli,” Italian comedy team.
9:00—Gladys Kahn, songs.
9:15—Gosslin Sisters, songs.
9:30—David Ramsdell, baritone.
9:45—Football interview, Charles Speer.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs. 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W2XR as above. W2XBS, W3XK off.

Saturday, October 29, 1932
W2XBS, NBC, New York, 143 meters. (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-9:00—Experimental programs. 9:00-10:00—Sketch.

W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental images. 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XR are off.

The televisors prefer brunettes; blondes cause no end of trouble for the studio man, and a beauty dare not use red lipstick when she appears before the broadcast cameras. Bright red bleaches to ashen gray through the televisor.
Discovery that blondes rank below their darker sisters in television preference and that a perfect Cupid's bow is best produced by black paint on dainty lips was made after a parade of models had passed before the televisor of W2XAB in a series of make-up tests.
With blondes, explained Harry Spears, its chief engineer, little of the human face could be recognized until make-up was applied. But we worked wonders, he said, with the application of a grease paint base, a sun-tan powder, black eyebrow pencil, light green eye shadow, heavy mascara on the lashes and black lipstick.
Brunettes, he continued, give little or no make-up trouble. White or pink powder, black eyebrow pencil, light brown eye shadow and black lipstick show off brunettes 100 per cent. The red-heads also are in this class.
Black lipstick is used exclusively. We have found that red is of no avail, because the photo-cells that are used are of the potassium caesium type and are sensitive to blue. As a result, red televises gray. This is opposite to standard photographic principles in which red comes out black. Blue, incidentally, photographs and televises black. (New York Sun)

Sunday, October 30, 1932
W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs. 8:00-9:30—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV are off.

Monday, October 31, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—The Television Ghost, mystery story.
8:15—Piano lessons by G. Aldo Randegger.
8:30—Ukulele, Jack Peterson.
8:45—Correct time.
8:50—Wide World Revue, featuring Jack Fleming and players.
9:15—Ethel Aaron, songs.
9:30—Muriel Asche and her Kingsway Kiddies.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR (Radio Pictures), New York/Long Island City
5:00—Experimental programs. 7:00—Cartoons. 8:00—Film with sound. 9:00—Cartoons.

W2XAP (Jenkins Television), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00, 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK (Jenkins Laboratories), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

Below are Billboard's TV columns for Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 1939. Click to make them bigger.

Saturday, 13 January 2024

September 1932

F.D.R. had a friendly relationship with the live radio microphone. The man who ran against him for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1932 couldn’t even SAY “radio.”

And Al Smith didn’t exactly have a friendly relationship with live television camera, judging by his experience at CBS in September 1932.

His broadcast was pretty much the TV highlight in the U.S. that month. The other one was W2XAB broadcasting scores from the World Series—it wasn’t able to do a live, remote broadcast—though information is so vague it’s unclear if the score was flashed on during daytime hours when the station wasn’t on the air.

Below are the available TV schedules for the month. The New York Sun published a full one every Saturday (though the Smith talk wasn’t included) but the first half of the month isn’t on-line. I found one broadcast for the TV station in Montreal, and that’s it. And some time in August or early September, the DeForest station in New York, W2XCR, went off the air for good.

I have not included stories about “first television” appearances at state fairs and similar events that didn’t involve a TV station but were closed-circuit affairs.

Friday, September 2, 1932
VE9EC (La Presse), Montreal (Sound on CKAC, 730 kc.)
9:30-10:00—Radio-Television Broadcast.

Sunday, Sept. 4, 1932
Both Japan and China have representatives in this country studying American television systems and programs. During a recent week Thomas Oeyang, a radio engineer representing the Chinese government, and Yoshihiko Takata, director and chief engineer of the broadcasting organization of Japan, have spent several nights observing the Columbia Broadcasting System television station W2XAB.
Oeyang and Takata expressed amazement at the rapid progress which the science of visual broad casting has made in the United States and were particularly impressed by the clarity of the Columbia pictures. (Buffalo Courier)

Tuesday, Sept. 6, 1932
NEW YORK (AP)—Curtis Mitchell, co-editor of "Radio Stars,” newest of the radio broadcasting periodicals, and the former editor of “Film Fun," will speak to radio listeners during "Bill Schudt's Going to Press" over WABC and the Columbia network from 5:00 to 5:15 p.m. E.D.S.T., Wednesday, September 7. Mitchell also will be televised by station W2XAB which will be synchronized with the Columbia network for the duration of program.
Born in Montgomery City, Mo., Mr. Mitchell began his newspaper career on the Mexico, Mo., Daily Ledger and the Intelligencer. Later he spent several years in the publicity business for some of the larger manufacturing firms, just prior to taking over the editorship of “Film Fun.” He gave up this latter position to do free lance short story writing. In 1929 he traveled extensively in Africa, writing of his experiences. (C.E. Butterfield column)

Saturday, Sept. 10, 1932
NEW YORK — (AP) — Already there are evidences that the sending of sound and sight together by a single transmitter is a practical step in television development.
The recent decision of W2XAB, New York, to come back on the air after a brief recess with this latest picture-voice innovation has been followed by numerous reports of good reception. Some experimenters say they have had no difficulty in separating the sound from the sight, although both are sent on a single 100 kilocycle band.
One investigator has even been able to reproduce the picture on a large screen, obtaining sufficient brilliancy by the use of an arc-type neon lamp.
Similar To Duplex Wires
Roughly the combination transmission is similar to the carrier system used in wire telephone and telegraph work, in which a single wire circuit carries two or more conversations or code messages. In the case of W2XAB, the voice is impressed upon the carrier wave along with the picture, but the signal is not so scrambled that it cannot be separated in the receiver.
In the words of W. B. Lodge, engineer who installed the additional equipment at W2XAB, the system is best described double modulation.
The first step is to modulate a carrier of 46 kilocycles with the signal picked up by a microphone. This produces a complex wave. The television signal consists of frequencies up to 40 kilocycles.
"In the operation of the sound and picture broadcast, the television signal and the modulated 45 kilocycle carrier are combined, and both transmitted over the one station.

Voice Filtered Out
“At the receiver the set is tuned to the frequency of the transmitter. Frequencies up to 40 kilocycles are applied to the neon lamp which reproduces the picture. It is only necessary to insert a simple filter in the audio circuit, and add a second detector with a circuit tuned to 45 kilocycles to obtain the voice.
“The sound program also may be detected by a selective receiver, such as the superheterodyne, tuned to a frequency 45 kilocycles above or below the carrier of W2XAB, either 2,755 or 2,845 kilocycles." In other words, that part of the station’s band which heretofore had been lying idle has been put to work. (C.E. Butterfield column)

Sunday, Sept. 11, 1932
Television may not be profitable to the artists on the experimental shows at W2XAB, the Columbia station, and others in this country, as yet, but to a suburban general store manager in lower New Jersey it is a gold mine.
The gentleman, whose name and town must be withheld at his own request informs us that he receives W2XAB very well indeed on his receiver. So well, as a matter of fact, that he has inclosed the set in a dark room and charges 10 cents a peep to townspeople and 5 cents per head for school children! Maybe prosperity is just around the scanner. (Bill Schudt, Jr., Brooklyn Eagle column)

Monday, Sept. 12, 1932
W9XAO, Chicago (Sound on WIBO)
6:15-7:30—Vocalist and television views.

Wednesday, September 14, 1932
RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 14. (AP)—Raleigh’s only television set went up in smoke tonight when fire destroyed the shop of R. W. Penny, a fireman, who assembled it. He estimated the loss at $550.

Saturday, September 17, 1932
W2XBS, NBC, New York, 143 meters. (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-9:00—Experimental programs. 9:00-10:00—Sketch.

W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs. 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XR are off.

Former Gov. Alfred E. Smith will make his television debut when he faces the flying spot of W2XAB next Wednesday at 8 P. M. during the "Going to Press" program while it is being broadcast over WABC. The program will continue for a quarter of an hour, using the new sound channel on 107 meters.
Edwin Howard will bring vaudeville magic to television, with a program scheduled to be scanned from W2XAB on Wednesday at 8 P. M. Card tricks and the difficult needle stunt will be given their initial trial over television during this presentation.
With striped shirts and homemade mustaches Spaghett and Ravioli will introduce a new act next Friday at 8:45 P. M., when they face the flying spot.
Jack Fleming & Co., will present an all-musical revue instead of their regular dramatic presentation on next Monday at 8:50 P. M. A host of instrumentalists and soloists will take part which will be televised for twenty minutes. W2XAB this coming week heralds the first television silly series; a program called Senator McNutt and his "Guffawians." The new series which begins Wednesday at 8:45 P. M. will be under the direction of George Haller and will include a cast of three.
Other television features to be projected from W2XAB next week include Harry Fries and his musical saw, accompanied by Mortimer Miller; Lou Hanlon’s Chalk Chats; songs by the Gosslin, and Burnett Sister teams; experimental make-up tests; Phil and her Uke; Interviews with famous people conducted by Burt McElfresh; Grace Voss's Mono Plays: Vincent Blue Mondi's One-Man Jazz Band; Muriel Asche 1 and her Kingsway Kiddies in an all-juvenile show: the Television Ghost, played by Artells Dickson; comic strips drawn by Frank Fogarty; Baby Ruth Parkin; Helen Haynes in Musical Comedy Interlude; Connie O'Neill and her "Out of the Songs Shops" presentation and a host of other events. (New York Sun)

Test broadcasts still are being conducted by television station W9XG, located in Lafayette, Ind., in order to confirm the solving of many of televisions important problems.
Experimenters and others owning television receivers are invited to tune in the broadcasts and to report their findings on both ghosting snd signal strength. The images may be picked up on either a cathode ray television receiver arranged for automatic synchronization or a receiver of the scanning disk type using a 60-hole spiral disk running at 1,200 r. p. m.
Broadcasting is carried out on Tuesdays and Thursdays with three thirty to forty-five minute periods at 2 P. M., 7 P. M. and 10 P. M., central standard time. Transmission is by means of sixty lines per frame, twenty frames per second, with negative images on 2,800 kilocycles or 107.1 meters.
Engineers of the station have found that full 100 per cent modulation on somewhat reduced power is giving far better results than increasing the energy output and effecting a lesser percentage of modulation. Daily tests and experimentation, however, are permitting gradual increase in transmitted energy from the 300 watts used during the beginning of its tests, and in the very near future approximately 1,000 watts, it is hoped, will be radiated without loss of clarity due to fractional modulation. (New York Sun)

Sunday, September 18, 1932
W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs. 8:00-9:30—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV are off.

Monday, September 19, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
7:00—World Wide Review.
7:30—Muriel Asche and her Kingsway Kiddies Revue.
8:00—The Television Ghost, mystery story.
8:15—The Talking Dog.
8:30—Ukulele, Jack Peterson.
8:45—“Clarence,” a television comic strip drawn by Frank Fogarty

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR (Radio Pictures), New York/Long Island City
5:00—Experimental programs. 7:00—Cartoons. 8:00—Film with sound. 9:00—Cartoons.

W2XAP (Jenkins Television), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00, 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK (Jenkins Laboratories), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W9XAO, Chicago (Sound on WIBO)
6:15-7:30—Vocalist and television views.

Tuesday, September 20, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Fashion Show, Gladys Kahn.
8:15—Baby Ruth Parkin, juvenile performer, dance and song act.
8:25—Baseball scores.
8:30—Peggy Sonnecksen, pianist.
8:45—Pantomime show, Lillian Grossman.
9:00—One man jazz band, featuring Vincent “Blue” Mondi.
9:15—Tashamira, dancer; Florence Kyte, piano accompaniest.
9:30—Boxing bouts. Blow by blow description by Dick Madeo on sound side of sight band.
9:45—Sam Brent, baritone.

W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV, W3XK, W2XAP as above.

Wednesday, September 21, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
5:00—“Going to Press” with Bill Schudt, Jr., synchronized with WABC. Guest, Alfred E. Smith.
8:00—Television magic, Edwin Howard.
8:15—Baseball scores.
8:16—Grace Voss, dancer.
8:30—Hair fashions, Ferdinand Graf.
9:00—Gladys Kahn, crooner.
9:15—Senator Nutt and his “Guffawians,” with George Haller
9:30—Dramatic pantomimes, Estelle Sydney.
9:45—Instrumental soloists.

W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV, W3XK, W2XAP as above.

Former Governor Alfred E. Smith had never seen a television station or any television apparatus until he spoke over W2XAB yesterday afternoon [21] on Bill Schudt's "Going to Press" hour. It was surprising to this department to learn this, because in his very own building, the Empire State, the National Broadcasting Company is at this very moment experimenting with the mysterious and potent forces of television. I wonder why the N. B. C. has never invited the distinguished landlord to have a look at its television apparatus housed way up in the 80’s of the Empire State.
Anyway Editor Smith had to go to the Columbia building in order to get his first taste of television. He liked it immensely. Dressed in a gray suit, black shoes and sporting a neat piece of adhesive tape on a boil on his left cheek, he faced the photo-electric cells and told both his visible and invisible audience that he was a journalist, the editor of the New Outlook.
"Of course," he explained, "that brings to mind the old definition of a journalist. The old-fashioned newspapermen frequently said that a journalist is a dead reporter. I am not dead by any means, and I expect the New Outlook, of which I have the honor to be editor, to be one of the liveliest publications that we have."
The former Governor was accompanied to the television studio by Mrs. Henry Belle Moscowitz, his advisor, and Frank Tichener, publisher of the New Outlook.
Particularly appropriate for Mr. Smith's broadcast was the backdrop used during his period on the air. It was a scene, showing the impressive sky line of New York with the tower of the Empire State hovering over his shoulder in the darkened studio. (Jo Ranson column, Brooklyn Eagle)

It seems that just about everybody from coast to coast except Alfred E. Smith knew that Alfred E. Smith was to make his debut over television last Wednesday afternoon at 5 o'clock.
The distinguished new editor of the New Outlook learned about it at ten minutes of 5. And was he bewildered when they led him into the dim little cubbyhole of a studio on the twenty-second floor of the Columbia Broadcasting System building and stood him before the fierce electric eye that beat upon his face through a small window.
"I never saw anything like this before." he said to a broadcasting official, and the official hastened to interrupt:
"Suppose, Governor, you let me show you a little about the works of television."
The official talked on, and then the busy editor interrupted:
"You mean that they will see me talking? Who will see me?"
Bill Schudt, Columbia's director of television broadcasting, volunteered that the latest estimate of television receiving sets in the metropolitan area was 20,000.
Showed Interest In Audience.
The former Governor, noted for finding out what he wants to know by asking about it, then asked who would hear him speak—only those 20,000? Mr. Schudt was busy explaining that the broadcast was over a coast-to-coast hookup and that anybody with an ordinary radio receiving set who so desired could hear him, if not see him, when another interruption came from a dim corner:
"One-two-three-four! Woof! One-two-three-four: Woof!"
The bewildered celebrity looked over his shoulder nervously. The presence of his able counselor, Mrs. Moscowitz, and several other close friends still packed in the tiny studio seemed to reassure him, and he began to ask more questions.
“Station W2XAB testing,” came the voice from the dark corner. It turned out later to be Paul Douglas, specially assigned to announce the Al Smith program.
For thirty minutes after the television broadcast newspaper and newsreel photographers had their old favorite Al Smith obeying commands in a big studio on another floor. In between shots the now portly Mr. Smith wandered back of the cameras, found a musician's little chair, sat down and mopped his red and perpsiring [sic] face. A little impromptu conversation explained "the Governor's" surprise that he was to be seen as well as heard. His coat had not come off since he had entered the building, and it was sticky hot that afternoon.
"What do you think of television, Governor?" a chance somebody standing near by asked him.
"I never saw anything like that before," he said. "It's quite a stunt."
"Pretty hot, ain't it, Governor?"
"Yes. They told me I was just to come up and make a radio speech. Hell! I do that in my shirt sleeves."
Disappoints His Critics.
This was a private conversation, and he did not say “rad-dio.” In his televised speech, he had not used the word at all. He had simply stated that as often as he had "faced the microphone" this was his first time as an editor. There was not much time even for rehearsing when Mr. Smith arrived ten minutes before he was to go on the air to waiting ears and eyes, much less for educating this busy statesman and now editor who never had looked into this television thing. But everybody had to rehearse: Mr. Douglas, the announcer; Mr. Schudt, the proud ringmaster of this department and especially proud to be having Al Smith talk and appear in his weekly "Going to Press" hour, and the featured speaker himself.
An outer door opened and some fussy official announced to the twilight of the little studio that “This clock out here in one second slow,” as I slipped through the door opposite and into the room where the machinery behind the electric eye buzzed and whined and groaned and made everything seem, what with the heat of the day and such crowded quarters, a miniature inferno. There wasn’t much light in that room, but a teeny spot light shone on a curl of smoke that passed through open space and up into a pipe. A technical man ducked in took a look and called the smoke "influence' or something equally unintelligible and went out.
I was all alone in that mysterious little room when Mr. Smith began to televise, and watched him eye to eye with the electric eye through the sound-proof window.
It was a profile view of the editor, and he kept his eyes downcast upon his manuscript, and to the owners of television sets who watched it must not have seemed the Al of old, with all the animation and fire of a political or any other kind of speech.
Television Has Advantages.
Getting ready for the television broadcast, he was concerned about a little patch he wore on his left chin. He did not think it would look so good. They told him to present his right profile. He asked how glasses would look and was told “not so good.”
“Too bad,” he said. “At this distance the type is small. If I had known it we could have had larger type.”
And he asked if his arms would be seen as he turned the pages of his manuscript. They assured him that the electric eye was so focused that only his face and a bit of his shoulders would be seen.
Later as the newsreel and newspaper photographers started to work on him in another studio, he again brought up the subject of the little patch on his left chin and lost a debate with an ingenious movie camera man.
"Just turn your face to the left, Governor," the man in charge of one of the batteries suggested.
"But," countered Mr. Smith, veteran as he is with these camera people, "I am supposed to be making a speech to an audience, am I not?"
That halted, all but one of them, who grinned and danced up to his subject.
"You see, Governor," he said, sort of confidentially, "we are supposed to be stealin' this picture."
"I see," said "the Governor," but his tired look indicated that he was just surrendering to that persistent gang of pests to get it over with on so hot an afternoon.
Retinue Checks on Image.
Just before the television broadcast started, "the Governor's" retinue was escorted to another part of the building, but on the same floor, where they might sit in semi-darkness and hear his voice and see his face through the excellent television receiving set that Columbia has all to itself.
Once, at the height of the broadcast I sneaked through several other doors and had a look at how Al Smith was coming over. The rosy square was faithful to the bend of his head, and he was easily recognizable. And the little ptahc that I could see from the room with all the machinery could not be seen through the receiving set.
Suddenly the picture part of this broadcast flickered and waved pink waves.
"Haywire!" somebody whispered hoarsely. Harry Spears. Columbia's chief television engineer, dashed for a door, and in a second there was Al Smith again, his lips moving and his familiar voice coming through the loudspeaker. Mr. Spears and Mr. Schudt comprise the staff of Columbia's television department. They felt particularly good about the Al Smith program, for it was not only the distinguished editor’s television debut—so surprising to him as it all turned out—but it was the first time that a television program ever was synchronized over a network. Bill Schudt’s “Going to Press” is the oldest regular program Columbia has. It got its start long before television, and even before WABC became Columbia’s key station.
Bill Schudt runs Columbia’s television, writes newspaper stuff and announces. Somebody discovered that if you can't see him or even hear him you can at least read him.
But to get back to Al Smith. He said what he had to say and walked out. The television program was to run fifteen minutes. Miss Vera Aiken, staff accompanist, played the diminutive piano in the little studio, while Paul Douglas talked to finish out the time. Mr. Douglas's smiling face was televised.
Mr. Smith meanwhile was escorted to the hallway, where his friends had been watching him talk about editing The New Outlook. He was alert when he got his first glimpse of the televised face of the announcer and realised that his own had been there these last ten minutes.
A special backdrop had been prepared for this important broadcast. It was a night skyline of Al Smith's home town. The Empire State Building was there big and inspiring. The lord of the world’s greatest structure smiled when his attention was called to it just before the broadcast began. The Empire State did not come within the focus of the electric eye, however. But neither did the Chrysler. (New York Sun, Sept. 24)

Thursday, September 22, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Harry Fries, musical saw.
8:15—“Out of the Song Shops,” Connie O’Neill.
8:30—“Tele-talkies,” Hewitt Players.
9:00—Mortimer Miller, pianist.
9:14—Baseball scores.
9:15—“Chalk Chats,” with Lou Hanlon.
9:30—Burnett Sisters, songs.
9:45—Helen Haynes, songs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W2XAP, W1XAV as above.

The television transmitting station [W9XAK], which is being constructed by the department of electrical engineering of the college, is being pushed to completion, and will be ready for operation soon, it is believed. The aerial, which will extend from the water tower to the engineering building, and a few finishing touches are all that is lacking to put signals on the air. Definite operation of the station is planned for October. The government standardization monitoring station, at Grand Island, will test the college station for frequency stability at that time. (Manhattan, Ks. Mercury)

Friday, September 23, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Phil and her uke.
8:15—Comic strip, George Kelting.
8:30—Aviation interviews, Burt McElfresh.
8:45—“Spaghett and Rivioli,” Italian comedy team.
9:00—George Britton, baritone.
9:15—Make-up tests, Harry Spears.
9:30—David Ramsdell, baritone.
9:45—Gosslin Sisters, songs.

W2XR, W2XAP, W1XAV as above. W2XBS, W3XK off.

Saturday, September 24, 1932
W2XBS, NBC, New York, 143 meters. (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-9:00—Experimental programs. 9:00-10:00—Sketch.

W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs. 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XR are off.

This week W2XAB inaugurates two new television shows. "Everybody's New York," an illustrated talk by Helen Bannard Risdon, intended to acquaint lookers-in with the interesting sights in the metropolis, begins Monday at 9:15 P.M. and on Tuesday at 8:45 P. M. "Talkie Songs" brings to the visual air Sylvia Sherry, contralto, and Saul Meriowitz, pianist, in an interesting quarter-hour talking picture.
Television's silly program, "Senator Numb," continues its subconscious antics on Wednesday at 8:45 P. M., with George Haller playing the lead role.
Tashamira, the leading exponent of the modern German dance, returns this week in a new series of television dances, and will be seen from the studios of W2XAB on Tuesday at 9:15 P. M.
Having already presented Maxie Rosenbloom, light heavyweight champion of the world, in an exhibition boxing bout, Dick Madeo, who handles the bouts for W2XAB, endeavors to have Max Schmeling and Mickey Walker on television Tuesday at 9:30 P. M.. a new hour for the boxing exhibitions.
Some time ago W2XAB inaugurated a series of programs by the Television ghost. A new series will be featured each week on Mondays at 8 P. M. The part of the ghost will be played by Artells Dickson.
Two dramatic features will be included on the coming week's bill. The Wide World Revue, which will highlight Jack Fleming and a company of fifteen players and instrumentalists, will be seen and heard Monday at 8:50 P. M., while the usual one-act play by the John Hewitt players will be broadcast Thursday at 8:30 P. M.
For those who like pretty faces W2XAB suggests its program featuring Helen Haynes, Muriel Asche, Peggy Sonnicksen, Tashamira, Estelle Sydney, Connie O'Neill, Phil and her uke, the Burnett and the Gosslin Sisters.
Other high spots on television's schedule include Marion Harwick and her dancing show, to be seen and heard on Thursdays at 8:45 P. M.; talks by Lou Hanlon, Spaghett and Ravioli, Burt McElfresh's interviews with famous people, Harry Fries and his musical saw, Prof. G. Aldo Randegger's new series of piano lessons and television's funny man, George Kelting, and his musical crayons. (New York Sun)

Sunday, September 25, 1932
W2XAP, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00—Experimental programs. 8:00-9:30—Direct pickup.

W3XK, Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W2XAB, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV are off.

A tap dancing act which I worked over for weeks to obtain for Columbia's television station. Finally landed the program. The night of the broadcast the dancer hired a pianist who had never been on the air before. He was very nervous. Both arrived two hours ahead of the scheduled time. Finally the hour arrived. I introduced both. Turned around and discovered that the tap dancer was ready to perform but his pianist had been struck by microphone and television fright and hopped into an elevator and ran far away from the studio!
A television fan letter I just received from Shreveport, La. The writer says he looks and listens to W2AXB, C. B. S. New York, every night and entertains hundreds of guests each evening. (Bill Schudt, Jr., column, Brooklyn Eagle)

Monday, September 26, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—The Television Ghost, mystery story.
8:15—Piano lessons by G. Aldo Randegger.
8:30—Ukulele, Jack Peterson.
8:45—Baseball scores, correct time.
8:50—Wide World Revue, featuring Jack Fleming and players.
9:15—Talk, Helen Bannard Risdon.
9:30—Muriel Asche and Kiddies.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR (Radio Pictures), New York/Long Island City
5:00—Experimental programs. 7:00—Cartoons. 8:00—Film with sound. 9:00—Cartoons.

W2XAP (Jenkins Television), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
5:00-6:00, 8:00-9:00—Direct pickup.

W3XK (Jenkins Laboratories), Washington, 147 meters (Sound on W3XJ, 193 meters)
9:00-10:00—Film presentation. 10:00-11:00—Direct pickup.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

Tuesday, September 27, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Fashion Show, Gladys Kahn.
8:15—Baby Ruth Parkin, juvenile performer, dance and song act.
8:25—Baseball scores.
8:30—Peggy Sonnecksen, pianist.
8:45—Songs, Sylvia Sherry and Saul Meerowitz.
9:00—One man jazz band, featuring Vincent “Blue” Mondi.
9:15—Tashamira, dancer; Florence Kyte, piano accompaniest.
9:30—Three-round boxing bout. Blow by blow description by Dick Madeo on sound side of sight band.
9:45—Sam Brent, baritone.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-11:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W3XK, W2XAP as above.

Wednesday, September 28, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
5:00—“Going to Press” with Bill Schudt, Jr., synchronized with WABC.
8:00—Television magic, Edwin Howard.
8:15—Baseball scores.
8:16—Grace Voss, dancer.
8:30—Hair fashions, Ferdinand Graf.
8:45—Senator Nutt and his “Guffawians,” with George Haller
9:00—George Britton, songs.
9:15—Beauty talk, Dr. J. Howard Crum.
9:30—Dramatic pantomimes, Estelle Sydney.
9:45—Musical Pastels.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
7:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W1XAV, Boston, 179 meters (Sound on W1XAU, 193 meters)
8:00-10:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W3XK, W2XAP as above.

NEW YORK, Sept. 28.—Both the Columbia Broadcasting system and the National Broadcasting company will go on the air with radio account of the world's series games which will be played in New York and Chicago, the first broadcasts being of today's game In the Yankee stadium.
Paul W. White of the Columbia Broadcasting system announced yesterday [27] that Columbia and arranged for a hook-up involving more than 75 stations extending from coast to coast. Ted Husing will describe the opening ceremonies and give a final dally analysts for WABC. The play-by-play description will be given by Pat Flanagan and Bob Elson.
Today's bro[a]dcast over this system will begin at 1 o'clock. Television station W2XAB will put on scores inning by inning....
The Columbia Broadcasting system will be on the air again tomorrow at 1.15, Saturday at 2 o'clock and Sunday and Monday at 2.15. (Asbury Park Press)

Thursday, September 29, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Harry Fries, musical saw.
8:15—“Out of the Song Shops,” Connie O’Neill.
8:30—“Tele-talkies,” Hewitt Players.
8:45—Marion Harwick, dancer.
9:00—Mortimer Miller, pianist.
9:14—Baseball scores.
9:15—“Chalk Chats,” with Lou Hanlon.
9:30—Burnett Sisters, songs.
9:45—Helen Haynes, songs.

W2XBS (NBC), New York (No sound)
2:00-5:00—Experimental programs.

W2XR, W2XAP, W1XAV as above.

Friday, September 30, 1932
W2XAB (CBS), New York, 107 meters
8:00—Phil and her uke.
8:15—Comic strip, George Kelting.
8:30—Aviation interviews, Burt McElfresh.
8:45—“Spaghett and Rivioli,” Italian comedy team.
9:00—Gladys Kahn, songs.
9:15—Make-up tests, Harry Spears.
9:30—David Ramsdell, baritone.
9:45—Gosslin Sisters, songs.

W2XR, W2XAP, W1XAV as above. W2XBS, W3XK off.

Below are Billboard's television columns for Sept. 3, 10, 17 and 24. Click to enlarge