A smile of nostalgia will come over New Yorkers (and ex-New Yorkers) of a certain age when you mention WPIX.
The station was a kids delight. Fondly remembered are Officer Joe Bolton and hosts Allen Swift and Chuck McCann. That meant cartoons, cartoons, cartoons (good and otherwise). For others, WPIX was the home of marathon showings of one the greatest comedy series of the 1950s, The Honeymooners.
WPIX was one of several dozen TV stations that signed on in 1948, three of them serving New York City (joining WNBT, WCBS and WABD).
The station dates its origin from an application to the FCC filed by News Syndication, Inc. (the New York Daily News) on February 28, 1944 for a construction permit for a commercial station. Competition was fierce for any TV frequencies the commission deemed habitable. As of Oct. 8, 1945, besides NBC, CBS and Du Mont, the FCC had a file of applications for New York from the American Broadcasting Co. (WJZ), Bamberger Broadcasting (WOR), the Debs Memorial Radio Fund (WEVD), Palmer K. and Lois C. Leberman, Marcus Loew Booking Agency (MGM), Metropolitan Television (W75NY), Philco, Raytheon Manufacturing, Twentieth Century-Fox and WLIB, in addition to the Daily News request.
On Feb. 1, 1946, the FCC designated the Daily News application for a hearing. Four channels were available. The competition now included Bremer Broadcasting of Newark, N.J. (WAAT), Sherron Metallic Corp. of Huntingdon and Westchester Broadcasting of White Plains (WFAS). The hearing began June 3. Several companies pulled their applications before it, Raytheon at the last minute. That left six—ABC, Bamberger, Bremer, Debs Memorial, WLIB and the Daily News.
Broadcasting magazine of June 10, 1946 describes the pitch to the Commission:
Another well-financed applicant, News Syndicate Inc. (New York Daily and Sunday News), a subsidiary of Chicago Tribune Inc., expressed confidence that television would be profitable. However, the company testified that it was prepared to carry a station for three to five years until substantial revenues were received . . .
F. M. Flynn, assistant secretary of News Syndicate Inc. (New York Daily and Sunday News), reviewed the extensive scope of the News parent corporation, Chicago Tribune Inc., which in radio owns WGN Chicago and its subsidiary Midwest FM Network Inc., which is seeking FM stations in Peoria, Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids and Milwaukee. He said the News, formerly headed by the late Joseph M. Patterson and now by Roy C. Holliss as acting president and general manager, has had no regular radio experience except in preparation of hourly newscasts on WNEW New York. He said the company has, however, studied television for several years and has experimented in video production.
Mr. Flynn estimated construction costs at $575,000 and operating expenses at $46,849 a month. He predicted talent costs would be $100,000 a year and upward and that film costs would range from $25,000 to $50,000. Studios and offices, he said, would be on four floors for which space is available above the 36th floor of the News building.but that a wholly separate television organization might be set up later and housed in a new building which may be constructed adjacent to the News building.
He said the company hasn't “counted on” any immediate returns but expected there would be some. First objective, he explained, would be to get television circulation and then work out rates and commercial programming plans to pay for it. He said network affiliation had been discussed but there was no intention of making the station’s success dependent upon network association.
Mr. Flynn said the News has a tentative agreement with General Electric to train some of the company’s television employes.
He was confident the News would operate the station, if granted, for three to five years regardless of profits.
He was cross-examined in detail by Leo Rosen, attorney for Mrs. Thackrey, publisher of the New York Post, about the News’ circulation, which he said is the greatest in the U.S.—more than 2,300,000 daily and 4,500,000 Sunday.
It took almost a year, but the Daily News announced the FCC's final decision in its May 14, 1947 issue.
FCC Approves News' Bid for Video Station
Washington, D. C., May 14.—The Federal Communications Commission today formally granted licenses to operate television stations to the News Syndicate Co., Inc., publisher of The News, and three other applicants in the New York area.
A notice of intention to approve the applications was announced April 9 and FCC said the final orders were issued when no protests were filed.
FCC assigned the News Syndicate Co., Inc., television channel No. 11. The American Broadcasting Co. was given channel No. 7; the Bamberger Broadcasting Service channel No. 9, and the Bremer Broadcasting Corp., channel No. 13.
Debs Fund Turned Down.
The application of the Debs Memorial Radio Fund was denied, with Commissioner Clifford J. Durr dissenting. Durr recommended that the Debs Fund be given a license instead of the News Syndicate Co. because of evidence against the latter presented by the American Jewish Congress.
However, the Commission re-affirmed its ruling that the testimony offered by the American Jewish Congress, which attempted to show racial bias by The News, be stricken from the record. The Commission denied a petition to incorporate the evidence in the proceedings.
Operating Schedule.
In the final finding of fact, the Commission said the television station to be built by the News Syndicate Co. would cost $575,000 and would operate on a 28-hour weekly basis for the first year.
The initial schedule, the report said, would be divided as follows: 50.5% entertainment; 15.4% educational; 12.7% news 9.8%; sports; 5% religious; 3.9% civic, and 2.7% governmental.
It was estimated that the station has a potential audience of 11,000,000 persons.
There were comparatively few major developments the rest of the year. The paper reported on Dec. 3:
News Orders Equipment for Video StationPlans for construction of The News television station moved forward yesterday [2] as an order was placed with General Electric Co. for more than $150,000 worth of major video equipment.
F. M. Flynn, president and general manager of The News, announced the purchase of three image orthicon-equipped studio cameras, monitoring and control consoles, camera dollies, microphone booms, and other components. At the same time Flynn disclosed the signing of a contract with the Radio Corporation of America for a five-kilowatt transmitter, with associated pickup and relay equipment.
Studio to Top Building.
Together, the orders represent a total outlay of more than $350,000.
The News television station, to which the FCC has assigned the call letters WLTV, will operate on channel No. 11 in the 198-204 megacycle band. Present plans call for studios in a three-story addition on the top of The News Building at 220 E. 42d St. The station is expected to take the air with test patterns next Spring.
The new General Electric cameras utilize the latest type picture tubes. Used in conjunction with flexible studio control equipment, the cameras represent the finest available medium of telecasting. Complete motion picture projection equipment also will be provided to The News by General Electric. Both 35 and 16 mm. film will be televised. This will enable the station to use all sources of motion pictures in setting a high standard of educational and entertainment programing.
Look to Expert Aid.
Explaining that the master control room also will be GE-equipped, Flynn said: "The news is looking to the engineering accomplishments of the experts at WRGB, General Electric's station in Schenectady. During their six years of non-commercial operation they have gained immeasurable experience. We hope to be able to borrow a little of their know-how."
The RCA order, in addition to transmitter and antenna, calls for two complete field pickup units, including four RCA image orthicon cameras, and two microwave relay transmitters and receivers. These and other units to be added later, will be used in spot news coverage.
WLTV wasn't going to do. The Daily News requested a change of call-letters. It reported on Dec. 23:
New call letters—WPIX—have been assigned to The News television station, F. M. Flynn, president and general manager, announced yesterday. The station, scheduled to go on the air over Channel 11 next Spring, temporarily had been called WLTV. The change was authorized by the Federal Communications Commission. Flynn pointed out that "pix" is a newspaper term for pictures and added that the new call letters are particularly appropriate for The News, New York's Picture Newspaper. "Newspix" for many years has been The News cable address and the name of its house organ.
WPIX started hiring managers and staff, and getting a station physically put together. The Hollywood Reporter of Feb. 17, 1948 gave an anticipated air date, which the station actually met.
N.Y. News Video To Be Ready By June 15
New York.—Construction work on WPIX, The News television station, has started, according to Robert L. Coe, station manager. Engineers started making surveys for the installation of steel for the transmitter house and the 307-foot tower on top of The News building a few days ago. Similar work is underway on the roof of the adjoining nine-story plant where the studios will be located.
The Turner Construction Co. plans to have the station ready to go on the air about June 15. The first shipment of steel for the prefabricated tower will be made about February 21 and the tower is expected to be up in record time.
The tower atop The News building will rise to a point 777 feet above street level, making it one of the highest television transmitter points in the city.
The Daily News’ Ben Gross announced on Feb. 27 the station had closed a deal for television rights to the rights and wrestling matches at Queensboro Arena, the first remote contract signed by the station. The station’s biggest signing was unveiled in its March 10 edition. Gloria Swanson had agreed to host a 55-minute-long afternoon show. This, of course, was before her screen comeback in Sunset Boulevard. The July 1947 issue of Television magazine described the show.
"THE SWANSON HOUR"
Most glamorous of all the cooperative formats is WPIX's "The Gloria Swanson Hour," presented in the 4:05 to 5 o'clock slot every Wednesday. The famous star, who still retains her movie screen charm, plays hostess on a four part format under such titles as "High Fashion Trends," "Glamour on a Budget," "Chef's Holiday" and "Beauty Salon."
The "High Fashion Trend" segment is exactly what the name implies-with leading fashion designers showing their advance styles.
Clothes are modeled, with the stylist and Miss Swanson discussing the trends.
"Glamour on a Budget," sponsored by Beck Shoes, is handled by Beck's fashion editor, Pat Murray. Sequence is built around a particular theme, such as assembling an inexpensive vacation wardrobe. Models are used to display the clothes.
The "Chef's Holiday" segment veers away from the everyday cooking lesson and features a chef from some well known restaurant who reveals some of his professional cooking secrets and prepares the "specialty of the house."
On the "Beauty Salon," first program featured Victor Vito, hair stylist, who demonstrated today's mode in coiffures along with suggestions on the right hair arrangement for various face types. Another show presented Helena Rubinstein with a make-up lesson for home viewers.
An average of four sets are used on each show, together with some 16 models, who have been specially trained for television by producer Dick Rose.
Commercial Techniques
Charge for sponsoring each segment is set at $538, including talent, sets, models, etc. In the "Glamour on a Budget" portion, the Beck commercial is smoothly integrated. Style points of the dresses and accessories are given, with emphasis placed on the shoes as the camera picks up an ankle shot. Prices are also given. While program is still too new to have garnered many "success stories," Victor Vito reported that he had received 100 phone calls for appointments from the viewers, in addition to mail received at WPIX.
The station also signed deals to broadcast the trotting races from Roosevelt Park and hockey games (New York Rangers and New York Rovers) from Madison Square Garden, as well as WHN’s Guy Lebow as the news announcer, and some extensive news coverage, including the Democratic and Republican conventions.
Columnists at the Daily News, rather helpfully, seemed to have a one-liner about a station development every day. On April 27, it was a contract to air 24 films by Alexander Korda. On April 29, the first test pattern would air about May 15. On May 3, the Schaefer Brewing CO. became the first advertiser; it would bankroll Rangers games. On May 6, the final staff announcers were hired. They included Jack McCarthy, John Tillman, Rex Marshall and a chap named Joe Bolton.
The station's antenna went up March 17, delayed a bit because of rain and wind. Tests began on May 29. But there were a few problems as the Daily News reported June 1:
Thousands of television fans in the metropolitan area picked up the WPIX (pronounce it Pix) test pattern yester-day as The News video station began equipment testing on a daily schedule in preparation for the start of regular broadcasting June 15. The fans deluged the WPIX studios with phone calls throughout the day, from 8:30 A. M. until the station signed off at 6 P. M., to report reception ranging in quality from "lousy" to "clear as a bell." Wired Too Low.
A few said they couldn't get WPIX at all—but in these cases it turned out almost invariably that their sets were wired only for the old low channels and that the coils had not been installed for the postwar high frequency stations like WPIX.
Officials of the RCA Service Co., speaking from personal experience in other cities, explained that reception on the high channels is no more difficult than on the low channels. But the quality of reception is affected by the direction the receiving antenna points, and since the first stations were in the low group, receiving aerials were set up to point at them. . . .
Joseph A. Hatchwell, manager of the agency's branch shop in Jackson Heights, Queens, said that the problem of direction of receiving antennae will be most acute within a mile or two of the four New York stations. Those farther away within the 50-mile radius which comprises the metropolitan listening area should be able to receive WPIX satisfactorily with little or no adjustment.
All three of the older New York video stations operate on the low channels. WCBS, which has its tower on the Chrysler Building, is on Channel 2; WNBT, on the Empire State Building, is on Channel 4, and WARD, at 53d St. and Madison Ave., is on Channel 5.
WPIX, atop The News Building at 220 E. 42d St., is on Channel 11.
The pattern aired Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
We’ve glossed over some things, including Rube Goldberg’s Drawing Game being picked up by the station, the Shuberts granting WPIX exclusive TV rights to opening night pre-performance hoopla, the pick-up of Teen Age Canteen with the voice of Egghead, Danny Webb, and a hyped contest for a station slogan. The papers published previews on June 14, the day before the big event. The Times’ read, in part:
The inauguration of the service will be accompanied by messages from representatives of the city, state and church. Also scheduled are previews of WPIX features which are to be exhibited at regular intervals.
Among the previews will be "The Gloria Swanson Hour," during which the actress will have as her guests Neil Hamilton, actor, and Fira Benenson, designer. Rube Goldberg will show how his cartoon-charade quiz, "The Drawing Game," works. Ben Gross, radio columnist of The News, will preview "Stars in Your Eyes," with Fred Allen his guest. Remote pick-ups will include Ed Sullivan as guide of proceedings during a WPIX visit at the Latin Quarter and Danton Walker offering a sample of what to expect during his weekly "Cabarabian Nights," which he will conduct at the Club Versailles.
The News Syndicate Company, Inc., also has announced the formation of a new corporation to operate WPIX. The FCC, it was said, has approved the transfer of three television construction permits from the syndicate WPIX Inc. The corporation will be a wholly owned subsidiary.
Now a couple of stories and analysis after WPIX signed on.
`Daily News' Opens Television Station
O'Dwyer, Hanley, Baruch Guests at WPIX Show
WPIX, the television station operated by the "Daily News" of New York, made its debut at 7:30 o'clock last night with a four-hour show which included stars of the stage and screen and political figures and gave the News Building at 220 East Forty-second Street the appearance of a Broadway theater on opening night.
The front of the building was ablaze with lights, and huge searchlights converged on the antenna tower which is 796 feet above sea level. Formal dedication ceremonies started at 8 o'clock with the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Virginia Haskins. An invocation followed, offered by the Right Rev. Charles Kendall Gilbert, Bishop of the Protestants Episcopal Diocese of New York. The official welcome to the audience was made by F. M. Flynn, president and general manager of the News Syndicate Company, Inc.
Among the guests were Mayor William O’Dwyer, Lieutenant Governor Joe R. Henley and Bernard M. Baruch. Entertainers included Beatrice Lillie, Basil Rathbone, Maurice Evans, Irving Berlin and Georgia Gibbs. WPIX operating on Channel 11, is the fifth television station in the New York area. (Herald Tribune, June 16)
WPIX OPENS
Salutes Presented by Six Operating Stations
SIX television stations, including all three in New York City, joined civic, business and religious leaders last week in welcoming WPIX, television station of the New York News, to the air. Each of the six provided a special ten-minute salute program to WPIX for broadcasting during station's four-hour inaugural broadcast the evening of June 15.
WMAL-TV Washington brought Wayne Coy, FCC chairman, to its studios to broadcast greetings to the new video station, and also gave the WPIX audience a cartoon-and-music review of the news highlights since the New York Newsstarted its own career in June 1919. WFIL-TV Philadelphia put on a special studio program for WPIX, and WMAR-TV Baltimore gave New York viewers a look at wrestling matches.
In New York, WNBT fed its regular television Screen Magazine show to WPIX for simultaneous broadcast; WCBS-TV produced a special musical salute in its studios and piped it to WPIX for broadcast by the latter alone. WABD utilized its Tele-transcription system of kinescopic recording to send WPIX a salute show which opened and closed with a live duplicate of the cameraman symbol of the News.
WPIX's achievement of getting on the air on date it had boldly announced the end of January when the construction contracts were signed was hailed by most of the welcoming speakers, who paid tribute to General Manager Robert L. Coe and Chief Engineer Thomas Howard for the accomplishment. Colby M. Chester, chairman of the board, General Foods Corp., representing the National Assn. of Manufacturers, also praised owners of WPIX for proving that "In a world beset by wars and rumors of wars, the pioneering spirit of America has not lost its faith. The investment of $1,500,000 which you have made in putting this station on the air," he declared, "is compelling evidence of your confidence in the country's future and in your belief that television will become a great national industry. We share that belief."
The four-hour inaugural program, including the first originations from the new WPIX studios as well as all of the special film and remote pick-ups, went off virtually without a hitch, entitling the engineering and programming staffs to an extra round of applause. To make this possible, Harvery Marlowe, program director, passed up the reception line to stay backstage and personally supervise the production of the full evening's schedule. Individual stir of the evening, judging by audience comments received by WPIX, was John Tillman, former CBS announcer and m. c. who announced the complete WPIX opening evening's programs.Of special interest to the thousands who had suggested slogans for WPIX was the telecast of Mr. Coe's presentation of a $5,000 check, first issued by WPIX Inc., to Benjamin Dollinger of Brooklyn, winner of the station's $10,000 slogan contest. The winning slogan: "The first word in news—The last word in entertainment." (Broadcasting, June 21)
Television Station WPIX Has Premiere
By JACK GOULD
WITH East Forty-second Street bathed in kleig lights for the occasion, television station WPIX made an impressive debut last Tuesday evening. Owned by The Daily News, the outlet lifted the curtain on a schedule of programs which promises to give local video a decided fillip. In fact, it just could be that the newspaper boys are going to give the radio folk a good race for their money.
Even in a business where the aim for the moment seems to be finding new ways of spending money more quickly, WPIX is working with a lavish hand. It has garnered the rights to a generous supply of some of the best English-made films and is not sparing its pocketbook for studio shows. Even if only part of its present agenda proves successful, NBC, CBS and DuMont should be acutely aware of the Fourth Estate's invasion of their preserve.
If nothing else, WPIX's opening marked a return to the fundamentals of big-time showmanship which for some strange reason too long have been lacking in radio and video circles. All the accoutrements of a Hollywood premiere were employed—the presentation of celebrities in the city's political, religious and entertainment life, the flashing lights of camera men, endless lines of police to hold back the crowds, etc.
And the first few days of WPIX's regular programs suggest that the same alertness also will be found on the station's screen itself. Already it is the first video outlet to offer news regularly on the hour and the balance of the schedule reflects uncommonly well-rounded fare for a new television station.
Night Clubs
On its opening night WPIX laid particular stress on Broadway matters, its cameras visiting two of the better-known night clubs under the auspices of The Daily News columnists, Ed Sullivan and Danton Walker. For the viewer at home it provided the first real taste of the after-dark world of New York, and as such pointed up how television can break out of the studio chains which so long have confined radio programming.
However, WPIX already has raised one question of a rather delicate order. Put bluntly, it is this: do newspaper men make good performers? Is a by-line sufficient qualification for membership in the Associated Actors and Artistes of America, as it were? Reluctant though this corner is even to hint at such an ominous possibility, the answer, at least for the moment, must be in the negative.
Jimmy Jemail, the inquiring photographer of The Daily News, seemed in away over his head as master of ceremonies on opening night, his brief interviews with visiting celebrities often having comic overtones that bordered on the embarrassing. The amiable Messrs. Sullivan and Walker similarly lacked both the stage presence and personality which are the essential tools of the trade of the professional master of ceremonies. Ben Gross, serving as straight man for Fred Allen, fared much better, though his inexperience on stage was no less obvious. No doubt the boys will catch on in ensuing weeks but life in front of the footlights patently is different from the anonymous existence behind the typewriter. (New York Times, June 20)
And here’s the week’s schedule.
TUESDAY, JUNE 15
7:30—Opening of WPIX. Jimmy Jemail interviews celebrities. 8:00—Formal Dedication Ceremonies. F.M. Flynn, Robert L. Coe, Bishop Charles K. Gilbert, Lt. Gov. Joe Hanley, Mayor O’Dwyer, Cardinal Spellman (tentative), Award Presentation to Slogan Contest Winner. 8:30-Midnight—Preview of Studio Programs, Rabbi de Sola Pool, Virginia Haskins and Boys’ Chorus, Ben Gross, Fred Allen, “Pixie Playtime,” Gloria Swanson, Rube Goldberg, the Ritz Brothers, Willie Howard, Jan Murray, Special Show from Versailles with Danton Walker, Special Show from Lou Walters’ Latin Quarter with Ed Sullivan.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16
4:00—News. 4:05—The Gloria Swanson Hour, discussing fashion, cooking and household hints. 7:00—News. 7:05—Music and Slides. 7:30—WPIX Newsreel. 7:40—Film Shorts. 8:00—Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund Cartoon Show. 8:30—Film Shorts. 9:00—News 9:05—Harness Racing from Roosevelt Raceway, Westbury, L.I. 11:00 to 11:10—WPIX Newsreel.
Five of America's top-flight cartoonists will appear on a half-hour WPIX public service program at 8 o'clock tonight to aid the campaign for the Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund. The Fund's 1948 goal is $325,000.
The cartoonists will draw two of the characters for which they are known and one new personality representing the children who benefit from the Fresh Air Fund.
“The New York Daily News" station then will offer the autographed drawings to the highest bidders in the home audience. Bids will be made by mail. Proceeds will be donated to the Fresh Air Fund.
One of the evening's fifteen drawings, however, will go to the program's guest, a youth who has been to one of the Fresh Air Fund's camps or Friendly Towns. He will be permitted to choose the drawing he likes best as a souvenir of the night.
The artists on the program will be Henry Boltinhoff, George Wolf and Henry Mack, of the American Society of Magazine Cartoonists; Gus Edson, who draws "The Gumps," and George Wunder, who draws "Terry and the Pirates" for the News Syndicate.
WPIX is one of several television stations in the city that have scheduled Fresh Air programs in which members of the American Society of Magazine Cartoonists, who are currently appealing in a benefit show at Macy's, are featured. (Herald Tribune)
THURSDAY, JUNE 17
4:00—News. 4:05-5:00—Music and Slides. 7:00—News. 7:05—Music and Slides. 7:30—WPIX Newsreel and Teen Tunes. 7:40—Your Weekend Weather. 8:00—Reel and Rifle. 8:30—Film Shorts. 9:00—News 9:05—Wrestling, Queensboro Arena. 11:00 to 11:10—WPIX Newsreel.
Television Row was talking...about the dramatic news beat of PIX, The News video station. Thursday night [17], it showed special films made at the site of the fatal airplane crash at Mount Carmel, Pa., the first of such pictures telecast here. A special plane was flown there and within a few hours New Yorkers beheld the tragic spectacle. . . .
Guy Lebow and Jack McCarthy, who cover those Queensboro wrestling matches for our tele station, are wise enough to give the grunt-and-groan boys the old kidding treatment. They are far funnier than the wrestlers. While the big muscle man strain and strive, Guy and Jack put on an act that is a combination of Abbott and Costello and the late Robert Benchley. (Ben Gross, Daily News, June 19)
FRIDAY, JUNE 18
4:00—News. 4:05-5:00—Music and Slides. 7:00—News. 7:05—Music and Slides. 7:30—WPIX Newsreel. 7:40—Stan Shaw Show, teen tunes. 8:00—Information Bureau. 9:00—News. 9:05—Harness Racing from Roosevelt Raceway, Westbury, L.I. 11:00 to 11:10—WPIX Newsreel.
SATURDAY, JUNE 19
4:00—News. 4:05-5:00—Pixie Playtime, puppets, cartoons and sketching. 7:00—News. 7:05—Music and Slides. 7:30—WPIX Newsreel. 7:40—Tune Detective, with Sigmund Spaeth. 8:00—One Strike—You’re Out. 8:30--Film Shorts. 9:00—News 9:05—Film, “Of Mice and Men” with Burgess Meredith and Betty Field. 10:30 to 10:40—WPIX Newsreel.
"Pixie Playtime" is new WPIX program for children, featuring that new television puppet personality, Peter W. Pixie, that starts June 19 on three times weekly schedule. Program will feature a wide assortment of puppet characters, animated cartoons, live sketching by The News cartoonists, pets, and children chosen from the video audience. Frank Paris, formerly associated with "Howdy Doody" program at NBC, is the man behind the strings. (Televiser, June 1948)
New York.—Exclusive television rights to 32 features, originally distributed by United Artists, and some 50 shorts, have been acquired for one year in this video area by WPIX, Daily News station. Showings will be on a spot booking basis. Deal with made with Regal Television, headed by Moe Kernan.
Feature product includes 12 Laurel and Hardy comedies, “Captain Caution,” “Captain Fury” and “Of Mice and Men.” The latter, the first picture to be shown, will be telecast Saturday. Shorts consist of 20-odd Zasu Pitts-Thelma Todd comedies, a Harry Langdon and an Irvin S. Cobb series, as well as a half-dozen musicals. (Hollywood Reporter, June 17)
SUNDAY, JUNE 20
4:00—News. 4:05—Comics on Parade, with Danny Webb. 4:30—Film, “My Name is Han.” 5:00—Television Chapel 7:00—News. 7:05—WPIX Previews. 7:30—Weekly Newsreel Roundup. 7:40—Film, “Pagliacci,” with Henry Hull. 8:00—Republican Pre-Convention Program from Philadelphia. 8:30—Film Shorts. 9:00—News 9:05—Film, “Jimmy Steps Out” with Jimmy Stewart and Paulette Goddard. 10:30 to 10:40—WPIX Newsreel.
In the first attempt of any N. Y. television outlet to air a weekly religious program, WPIX, the N. Y. Daily News' forthcoming station, will launch such a series June 20, five days after it takes the air. Half-hour show titled "Television Chapel," it will be broadcast each Sunday from 5 to 5:30 p.m. In line with announcement of the show, it's recalled that Daily News' prez., F. M. Flynn, charged the industry several months ago with failing to perform an adequate public service by neglecting religious programs. In a speech before the American Television Society, Flynn promised at the time that WPIX would come up with such a series as soon as it took to the air. First three programs are to present Protestant, Catholic and Jewish clergymen, giving brief visual explanations of various rites. Series, intended as a continuing public service, is to be produced in cooperation with the Federal Council of Churches of Christ In America, the National Council of Catholic Men, and the American Jewish Committee. (Variety, June 9)
MONDAY, JUNE 21
11:00—Program from Convention Hall. 2:30—Convention Program. 7:00—News. 7:05—WPIX Previews. 7:30—WPIX Newsreel. 7:40—Record Rendezvous with Stan Shaw. Guest, Art Mooney. 8:00—Film short. 8:15—Convention program. 8:45—Pickup outside Convention Hall. 9:00—Program from Convention Hall.
WPIX, The News television station on Channel 11, will carry the full sessions from Convention Hall. Under the direction of Carl Warren, manager of news and special events, and of Allan Lawrence, his deputy, it will telecast three exclusive programs daily from its studios in the Bellevue-Stratford. On the first one, at 2:30 P. M., Ruth Montgomery, of The News Washington bureau, will interview feminine headliners of politics, including the wives of the candidates, and Lowell Limpus, co-chief of The News UN bureau, will give a five-minute news summary. Then, at 8:15 nightly, Ben Gross, using the convention meter, will lead off with a political commentary and summary. Jimmy Jemail, The Inquiring Photographer, will follow with his interviews of convention celebrities and Rex Marshall, chief announcer, will serve as emcee during a series of human interest and entertainment features. Immediately after the close of each evening's convention session, the station will present Limpus, Gross and veteran political experts of The News staff in a ten-minute round-up of the day's events. And, of course, during every session in the Convention Hall, WPIX cameramen will be on hand filming the highlights. These pictures will be rushed immediately to New York for incorporation in the station's ten-minute newsreel. (Ben Gross, Daily News, June 20)
WPIX was not the only station to formally begin broadcasts on June 15, 1948. A little further north, WNHC-TV signed on to serve New Haven, Connecticut.
