The Dawn and First Golden Age of Television

Pre-History and Technology of Television

Westinghouse and Zworykin Vladimir Zworykin, working for RCA, develops Iconoscope in 1920—Camera tube which scans pictures and break into electronic signals shown on “Picture tube” with image visible across room

Zworykin and Iconoscope

First demonstrations of television 1926—First public demonstration—London 1927—First U.S. public demonstration—New York Speech by Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover from Washington D.C.

Philo T. Farnsworth

Farnsworth Developed “Image Dissector”—Improved quality of television image dramatically. Also developed scanning technology. Refused offer to work at RCA.

RCA given license for experimental television station in Schnectady, New York First broadcast is a drama “The Queen’s Messenger” Fifteen experimental stations on air by 1931 CBS begins to broadcast Receivers were very expensive—a gimmick for those interested in invention, technology who had $

1939 Farnsworth and Zworykin had filed rival patent applications. Settled in 1939—RCA would have to pay Farnsworth royalties on his inventions—But his patents will have expired by late 1940s! 1939—RCA debuts t.v. at World’s Fair with FDR opening fair. Transmitted to 200 sets within 40 mile radius begins NBC-TV RCA creates standard—441 lines and 30 images/second Demonstrates new product in “Hall of Television” in RCA’s Building at Fair

RCA Pavillion

FDR

World War II 5,000 sets manufactured by late 1939 Cost--$ months salary for a middle-class individual Once WWII starts all further development of television put on hold for duration

KTLA—Los Angeles Licensed 1939 as experimental station Begins broadcasting in 1942 Owned by Paramount (until 1963) Licensed for Commercial Broadcasting in 1947 First show, from Paramount lot, hosted by Bob Hope, features Paramount stars Flagship of short-lived Paramount network (nixed by FCC) One of first local stations to create programming

KTLA Logo

Commercial Television Begins

Post War developments Development of television restarts CBS raids talent from other broadcasters Technology is ready CBS and NBC start research on color t.v. Zoomar lens developed RCA starts manufacturing sets, lowering prices

A smooth transition The 3 networks—ABC, NBC, CBS—already have programs, talent, mastery of scheduling Many radio shows move (or co-exist briefly with) to television In many other nations, television does not raid radio and radio stays much stronger for longer Corporate sponsor model and commercial entertainment model also are kept in place

Jack Benny on television

The Licensing Freeze The VHF band immediately fills up (stations 2-13) FCC “freezes” new licenses in 1948—100 had been granted Most of 100 were network affiliates or O&Os Allowed for network consolidation during “freeze”—1% of homes had t.v. in 1948, 34% by 1952 Highly concentrated on Eastern Seaboard and Great Lakes urban areas 1952—Freeze ends.

UHF and VHF 1952—FCC decides UHF and VHF will now be available in all markets Had considered making some markets UHF only, some VHF only. This might have given UHF a chance. But it could hardly compete with the better signals of VHF where the networks had set up their fiefdom amongst the 100 licensees before the freeze The result—few stations, network dominance (again).

Live Television

Much early television ( ) was live Errors occurred Camera movement limited Editing done ‘live’ according to a plan of switching between 3 cameras No videotape Only recordings are Kinescopes—16mm off a t.v. set, poor quality (as we’ll see)

Live 3-Camera

Live Television as Network Friendly Radio networks already familiar with live format Because of expense, local stations had limited ability to do live shows Filmed programming (becomes norm after 1955) would have been more democratic—Stations could buy directly from Hollywood Networks were nervous of Hollywood (had fought Paramount) at first (and vice-versa)

Comedy/Variety Made immediate transition from radio Many stars—Jack Benny, Milton Berle—moved easily Dialogue orientation and lack of “locations” make it easy to do live in studio Popular format on t.v. until 1970s

Mr. Television—Milton Berle Uncle Miltie and Ed Sullivan

Milton Berle Biggest star on t.v. during freeze period Ratings slowly decline throughout 50s Humor—Urban, quick, Jewish—suited to early markets, less to western/rural viewers? Watch aesthetic—3 cameras, fake sets, audience—etc. of Berle’s program

Live Anthology Drama Marty (1953)

Paddy Chayefsky Most famous of Live Anthology Dramas Filmed and Oscared in 1955—Big step for new medium Deals with “average” people City—suburban transition and “inter-ethnic” courtship

Live Anthology Drama Named for sponsor 1 hour, 3 act plays Used NY theatre talent Best reviewed, most well-remembered of early t.v. Prime argument for “Golden Age”--Less formulaic Visually limited Mistakes possible Quickly conceived and realized

The Night that America Trembled (1957) Westinghouse Studio One (CBS) Hosted by Edward R. Murrow Never mentions Orson Welles Note aesthetic 3 act structure Message Of high quality/intelligence/originality?