TV History Tomfoolery

Television made it’s public debut here in 1939

The New York World’s Fair

The company that was the driving force behind the development of television

RCA

The Franklin Institute

Fransworth demonstrated his system there for visitors in 1934, greeting them with a live portable TV camera

What was Sarnoff’s Three-Point Plan for TV?

1. First modern transmitting TV station

2. Manufacture limited number of TV sets and put them in strategic locations

3. Experimental programming to make shows

Three key pieces of evidence in the RCA patent suit for Farnsworth

1. Deposition from science teacher

2. Meticulous notes

3. Zworykin: “I wish that I might have invented it”

What government action was Sarnoff stunned about

FCC ruling to move back launch of commercial TV because NBC was moving too fast

What is the NTSC?

National Television System Committee; FCC body created to recommend an industry standard for television; 525 lines, 30 frames per second and FM sound

Why was NBC Blue sold?

FCC chain broadcasting surprise limiting ownership to one network and giving local stations freedom in network relationship

Commercial TV was on hold during WWII, but this created positive effects for the future. What were they?

1. Perfecting the technology/TV Spinoffs

2. Profits used to help create programming when TV launched

Name two television spinoffs that came out of WWII

Radar, Sniperscope

In 1948-49, 60% of television programming was this genre

Sports

Why were networks initially hesitant to target women

Afraid they would be blamed for distracting them from domestic duties

Name one of the devices that were television spinoffs during Americas expansion into the suburbs

TV dinners, snack trays, TV chairs, TV Guide, TV Repairmen

What percentage of American homes has TVs in 1946 and 1955?

1946: .2% 1955: 64%

What slows the expansion of TV stations between 1949-52

FCC Freeze because the agency was concerned about signal interference, frustrating Americans

Philo Farnsworth

Rags to riches inventor of video camera tube that was vital to the invention of television and is often credited as the Father of Television

Charles Francis Jenkins

Invented the Vitascope in 1896; crowned TV creator by the NY Times

David Sarnoff

Head of RCA/NBC and driving force behind the invention of commercial television

Vladimir Zworykin

RCA engineer who invented key pieces of television technology including the Iconoscope and Kinescope

William Paley

Owner and president of CBS and driving force behind the development of the network; chief rival of Sarnoff

Who are Worthington Minor and Gilbert Seldes?

Worthington: Broadway producer Seldes: Filmmaker ; pair helped create quality early CBS programming

What is Dumont?

The fourth network named after Allen Dumont, broadcasting from NJ and NYC and first manufacturer to sell all electronic TV

By the end of the 1950’s, how much television was the average American watching each day?

3-3 ½ hours

What two demographic groups were practically ignored by early television programs?

African-Americans and Immigrants

How is a television similar to a refrigerator?

Both marketed as appliances

What is Vaudeo?

Early television format that was recycled from radio and featured slapstick skit-based segments starring hosts such as Milton Berle

What were the innovations “Show of Shows” brought to TV?

Satirized suburban middle class life and two sponsors split cost

What is a sitcom and where did the term come from?

Simple comic premise, played out by an ensemble cast of characters set in recurring roles. Term was coined by Variety and Broadcasting magazines

What was on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on November 5, 1949 & TV Guide on April 3, 1953?

New television antennae and Lucille Ball’s new-born son Desi Arnaz Jr.

What was the rating for “I Love Lucy” during the ‘52-53 season, highest of all time

67 or 31 million viewers

Why does the comedienne become central to TV in the 50’s?

Domestic comedies revolving around the woman of the house is a natural formula for attracting a female audience

How much does CBS and NBC’s combined revenue increase from 1949-1952?

1949: $9.9 Million 1952: $153.3 Million

How does the GI Bill affect TV

GI’s earn college degrees and become more cultured and tears down social barriers

Name two innovations of the Chicago School of Television

1. Simplified realism

2. Ad Lib Drama

What is THT?

Today Home Tonight ; Shows developed outside of primetime

In what magazine did President Kennedy argue that TV should affect who we elect?

TV Guide

Who was the first president to use TV effectively?

Eisenhower

What is BBD&O?

The advertising agency hired by the Eisenhower to package the candidate

Of the 57% of voters in 1960 who were influenced by the Great Debates, what ratio voted for Kennedy?

3:1

What is a “Piggyback” or “Hitchhike”?

A Five-minute campaign segment that airs at the end of a popular primetime television show

What is the “Texaco Star Theater”?

NBC show hosted by Milton Berle debuted in June 1948 and drew 75% of viewers on Tuesday night

Who was the NBC news host who “hopscotched” the news?

John Cameron Swayze

What CBS News program is primarily responsible for demise of Senate Joseph McCarthy

“See It Now”

What is the silent generation?

Generation born between 1927-45 who conforms for the “good life”

What is primarily responsible for ending Edward R. Murrow’s career at CBS?

RTNDA speech in ‘58 where he called TV news people “Fat, comfortable and complacent”

Peter Goldmark

CBS engineer/inventor that created first color television system

Pat Weaver

NBC programming chief that helped create commercials and shows outside of primetime and takes NBC national

Lucille Ball

Star of “I Love Lucy”, developer of the sitcom, and founder of Desilu Productions, live audiences, flat lighting, bought RK Studios

Edward R. Murrow

Television news pioneer and inventor of news magazine program and celebrity interviews

Leonard Goldenson

Former United Paramount Theater Chief, purchased ABC and turned it into a competitive network

What is the main reason for the rise of ABC?

Partnerships with major studios, especially Disney

What major effects do Baby Boomers have on television programming?

Networks begin creating kids’ programming

What are the four tactics in the Weaver Model?

Commercials, Elevating Mass Culture, Live Programming, Innovation in programming format

Who is Charles Van Doren?

Columbia University professor at the center of the quiz show scandal on show”Twenty One”

82.6% of viewers

60 million viewers for Elvis Presley’s first appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show” in 1956