Friday, July 26, 2024

Today in Broadcast History

SUNDAY in Broadcast History .. March 1st

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The radio sitcom based in a bar 'Duffy's Tavern' began its 10-year run. Vancouver saw Canada's first jazz radio station hit the airwaves in CJAZ FM92.1 CHQB AM 1280 signed on in Powell River BC. Seattle-Tacoma's channel 11 (then KTNT) began operations as an independent station. The 150th episode of 'The Andy Griffith Show' aired on CBS-TV. And The Beatles (on film) made their final appearance on CBS-TV's Ed Sullivan Show. Details and many more milestones for March 1st INSIDE.

SATURDAY in Broadcast History .. Feb. 28th

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A former favorite AM signal from Eastern Washington KHQ Spokane began broadcasting at 590 KHz. The first basketball game to be televised was seen on only a handful of New York TV sets almost a decade before the so-called TV era began. Some 125 million people were tuned in for the much anticipated finale of the TV series 'M*A*S*H' on CBS. And the iconic ABC radio broadcaster Paul Harvey signed off for the final time, dying at age 90. Details and many more milestones for Feb. 28th INSIDE.

FRIDAY in Broadcast History .. Feb. 27th

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The first CNR radio station, CNRO was opened in Ottawa. The CNR network would eventually turn into the CBC. The Rolling Stones' rise to fame was underway as they appeared for the 2nd time on the BBC-TV's 'Top of the Pops' (pictured). The Supremes (with Diana Ross) were the mystery guests on CBS-TV's 'What's My Line?' And ABC aired Part One of their "The Beach Boys: An American Family" TV movie. Details and many more Milestones for Feb 27th INSIDE.

THURSDAY in Broadcast History .. Feb. 26th

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Future TV stars Jackie Gleason, William Frawley and Tony Randall were born on this date. The 100th episode of the prome time TV hit 'Macgyver' aired on ABC. Drew Lachey was declared winner of ABC's 'Dancing With the Stars.' And the CHUM group announced their intention to acquire Vancouver radio station 'The Beat/' Details and many MORE broadcast milestones INSIDE.

WEDNESDAY in Broadcast History .. Feb. 25th

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The US Federal Radio Commission issued the very first television license to an experimental laboratory in Washington D.C. Still before WWII, in TV's infancy, the first hockey game was televised in New York City, 12 years ahead of Canada's first hockey telecast. Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca (pictured) starred in the first ever 'Your Show of Shows,' which became a Saturday night sensation for NBC-TV. And Frank Sinatra's guest appearance as a retired detective gave CBS-TV's 'Magnum PI' its highest rating ever. Details and many more milestones for Feb. 25th INSIDE. (pictured)

TUESDAY in Broadcast History .. Feb. 24th

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The Voice of America shortwave radio service signed on as a US propaganda tool during WWII and the Cold War. Kay Starr, Bert Lahr and The Mills Brothers were the guests on NBC-TV's hourlong 'Perry Como Show.' Talk show host Larry King was stricken with a major heart attack, and underwent quintuple by-pass surgery. 'The Second Barry Manilow Special' aired on ABC-TV with guest star Ray Charles. And radio/TV headliners Dinah Shore, John Daly, Don Knotts, Dennis Weaver and Vancouver deejay Rick Honey (pictured) passed away. Details and many more milestones for the date INSIDE.

MONDAY in Broadcast History .. Feb. 23rd

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It was Feb 23rd when The Beatles made their third appearance in as many weeks on CBS-TV's Ed Sullivan Show, When The Fifth Dimension guested on ABC-TV's action series 'It Takes a Thief.' When the first Juno Awards were handed out, celebrating the best in Canadian music. (The first year they were 'The Gold Leaf Awards.) And when 65 million Americans tuned in to NBC-TV for the Spielberg movie 'Schindler's List' with minimal commercials. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

SUNDAY in Broadcast History .. Feb. 22nd

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One of the oldest three-letter call signs in the US, radio station WOR went on the air from studios in Newark N.J. The first presidential address on radio from the White House was delivered by Calvin Coolidge. Vancouver's CKLG AM 730 dropped its experiment in talk radio and returned to contemporary hit music. And Sportscaster Al Michaels was at the mike as the USA scored its 'Miracle on Ice,' upsetting the USSR, enroute to Olympic hockey Gold. ALL the milestones for Feb. 22nd INSIDE.

SATURDAY in Broadcast History .. Feb. 21st

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The fiirst TV soap opera 'A Woman to Remember' debuted on the shortlived Dumont network. the 200th episode of "Perry Mason" (starring New Westminster's Raymond Burr) aired on CBS TV. Neil Diamond's first TV special aired on NBC-TV. And David Letterman (pictured) returned to his CBS Late Show some five weeks after having emergency quintuple heart bypass surgery, ALL the milestones for Feb. 21st INSIDE.

FRIDAY in Broadcast History .. Feb. 20th

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It was a Feb. 20th when 8-year-old Ricky Nelson and his older brother David began portraying themselves on ABC Radio's 'Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet.' Until then their roles had been played by actors. When Vancouver's CHQM AM 1320 dumped its 'Lite 1320' format for 'Memory Music' from the 1930s to the '60s. When The Platters made their only appearance on Dick Clark's 'American Bandstand.' When the Dave Clark Five and The Supremes headlined CBS-TV's Ed Sullivan Show. And when the original host of ABC's 'Good Morning America,' David Hartman (pictured) left the daily program. ALL the milestones for Feb. 20th INSIDE.