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1941 in television
Reference material by Wikipedia contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
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1941 television radio film music
The year 1941 in television involved some significant events.
Below is a list of television-related events during 1941.
Events
April 30 – In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approves the National Television System Committee (NTSC) standards of 525 lines and 30 frames per second, and authorizes commercial television broadcasting to begin on July 1.
May 2 – In the United States, 10 television stations are granted commercial TV licenses (effective July 1). These stations are required to broadcast 15 hours per week. Bulova Watch Co., Sun Oil Co., Lever Bros. Co. and Procter & Gamble sponsor the first commercial telecasts from WNBT (now WNBC-TV) in New York.
July 1
Commercial television is authorized by the FCC.
NBC television begins commercial operation by its affiliate WNBT New York using channel 1. The world's first legal television commercial advertisement,http://cnbccatalyst.com/why-moving-your-ad-spend-away-from-tv-can-cost-you-more-than-you-think/ Why TV is still the most effective advertising medium CNBC Cnbccatalyst en 18 July 2016 19 January 2017 for Bulova watches, airs at 2:29 PM on WNBT before a baseball game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. An announcement for Bulova watches, for which the company pays anywhere from $4.00 to $9.00 (reports vary), displays a WNBT test pattern modified to look like a clock with the hands showing the time, and the Bulova logo, with the phrase "Bulova Watch Time" shown in the lower right-hand quadrant of the test pattern while the second hand sweeps around the dial for one minute "Imagery For Profit" R.W. Stewart, New York Times, July 6, 1941.http://www.earlytelevision.org/images/rca_bulova_ad-1.jpg WNBT/Bulova test pattern www.earlytelevision.org On July 1, Ray Forrest reads the first formal on-camera TV announcement, followed on July 4 by the first live commercial, for Adam Hats.
As a one-off special, the first quiz show called "Uncle Bee" is telecast on WNBT's inaugural broadcast day, followed later the same day by Ralph Edwards hosting the second game show broadcast on United States television, Truth or Consequences, as simulcast by radio and TV and sponsored by Ivory soap. Weekly broadcasts of the show commence during 1956, with Bob Barker.
CBS television begins commercial operation on New York station WCBW (now WCBS-TV) using channel 2.
September 1 — WPTZ (now KYW-TV) signs on in Philadelphia, the third television station in America.
October 21 - Professional wrestling premieres during prime-time on NBC.
December 7 – Ray Forrest of WNBT broadcasts special news bulletin regarding the Pearl Harbor attack, interrupting regular programming, the film Millionaire Playboy. WNBT later broadcasts special news reports through the evening, pre-empting a scheduled New York Rangers hockey telecast. WCBW also broadcasts a special that evening, from their Grand Central Terminal studios to the few thousand television set owners in the New York area.
Debuts
July 1 - CBS Television News, debuts on CBS (1941-1943, 1944–Present).https://www.tvobscurities.com/2016/01/wcbw-schedule-week-of-june-29th-1941/ WCBW Schedule, Week of June 29th, 1941 - Television Obscurities 2016-01-05 Television Obscurities 2018-08-04 en-USMike Conway 2006-10-01 The Birth of CBS-TV News: An Ambitious Experiment at the Advent of U.S. Commercial Television https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-1165191931/the-birth-of-cbs-tv-news-an-ambitious-experiment Journalism History en 32 3 0094-7679 2018-08-04 2018-08-04 Questia subscription https://web.archive.org/web/20180804051706/https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-1165191931/the-birth-of-cbs-tv-news-an-ambitious-experiment deadhttps://books.google.com/books?id=VKkQP6b6IDsC&q=WCBW+December+1942&pg=PA89 The Origins of Television News in America: The Visualizers of CBS in the 1940s Conway Mike 2009 Peter Lang 9781433106026 en
July 1 - Girl About Town with Joan Edwards debuts on CBS (1941-1942).https://www.tvobscurities.com/2016/01/wcbw-schedule-week-of-june-29th-1941/ WCBW Schedule, Week of June 29th, 1941 - Television Obscurities 2016-01-05 Television Obscurities 2018-08-19 en-UShttps://www.tvobscurities.com/articles/tv_programs_1941/ Television Programs in 1941 - Television Obscurities Television Obscurities 2018-08-19 en-US
July 1 - Sports with Bob Edge debuts on CBS (1941-1942).https://www.tvobscurities.com/2016/01/wcbw-schedule-week-of-june-29th-1941/ WCBW Schedule, Week of June 29th, 1941 Jay Robert 2016-01-05 Television Obscurities en-US 2019-04-19
July 2 - CBS Television Quiz premieres as television's first regular game show (1941–1943). .
July 2 - Table Talk with Helen Sioussat, the first televised talk show, debuts on CBS (1941-1942).https://www.tvobscurities.com/2016/01/wcbw-schedule-week-of-june-29th-1941/ WCBW Schedule, Week of June 29th, 1941 - Television Obscurities 2016-01-05 Television Obscurities 2018-08-19 en-UShttps://www.lib.umd.edu/leadingrole/helen-sioussat Helen Sioussat Women in Broadcasting History www.lib.umd.edu en 2018-08-19 November 14, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191114164058/https://www.lib.umd.edu/leadingrole/helen-sioussat dead
July 7 - Men At Work, an early variety show, debuts on CBS (1941-1942).http://www.tvobscurities.com/articles/tv_programs_1941/ Television Programs in 1941 - Television Obscurities www.tvobscurities.com
July 8 - The Boys in the Back Room, a half-hour series that took a behind-the-scenes look at the WCBW television studios, equipment, and staff, debuts on CBS (1941).https://www.tvobscurities.com/articles/tv_programs_1941/ Television Programs in 1941 Television Obscurities en-US 2018-12-07https://www.tvobscurities.com/2016/01/wcbw-schedule-week-of-july-13th-1941/ WCBW Schedule, Week of July 13th, 1941 Jay Robert 2016-01-19 Television Obscurities en-US 2019-06-20
July 16 - Stars of Tomorrow debuts on NBC (1941-1942).https://www.tvobscurities.com/2013/07/wnbt-schedule-week-of-july-13th-1941/ WNBT Schedule, Week of July 13th, 1941 Jay Robert 2013-07-15 Television Obscurities en-US 2019-04-19
July 18 - The Face of the War, an early news show hosted by Sam Cuff, debuts on NBC (1941-1945).http://www.tvobscurities.com/2015/06/my-favorite-obscurities-the-1940s/ My Favorite Obscurities: The 1940s - Television Obscurities June 22, 2015 www.tvobscurities.comhttps://www.tvobscurities.com/2013/07/wnbt-schedule-week-of-july-13th-1941/ WNBT Schedule, Week of July 13th, 1941 Jay Robert 2013-07-15 Television Obscurities en-US 2019-06-20
July 18 - Songs by Harvey Harding debuts on NBC (1941-1942).https://www.tvobscurities.com/2013/07/wnbt-schedule-week-of-july-13th-1941/ WNBT Schedule, Week of July 20th, 1941 - Television Obscurities 2013-07-22 Television Obscurities 2018-11-19 en-US
August 27 - Thrills and Chills Everywhere debuts on NBC (1941-1946).http://www.tvobscurities.com/2013/08/72nd-anniversary-of-thrills-and-chills-everywhere/ 72nd Anniversary of Thrills and Chills Everywhere - Television Obscurities August 27, 2013 www.tvobscurities.com
September 4 - Radio City Matinee debuts on NBC (1941-1942).https://www.tvobscurities.com/2013/09/wnbt-schedule-week-of-august-31st-1941/ WNBT Schedule, Week of August 31st, 1941 - Television Obscurities 2013-09-02 Television Obscurities 2018-11-11 en-US
September 18 - Fashion Discoveries in Television debuts on NBC (1941).https://www.tvobscurities.com/articles/tv_programs_1941/ Television Programs in 1941 Television Obscurities en-US 2018-12-07
October 18 - Saturday Night Jamboree debuts on NBC (1941).https://www.tvobscurities.com/2013/10/wnbt-schedule-week-of-october-12th-1941/ WNBT Schedule, Week of October 12th, 1941 Jay Robert 2013-10-14 Television Obscurities en-US 2018-12-17
October 21 - The Adam Hats Sports Parade: Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove, debuts on NBC (1941–42).https://www.tvobscurities.com/2013/10/wnbt-schedule-week-of-october-19th-1941/ WNBT Schedule, Week of October 19th, 1941 Jay Robert 2013-10-21 Television Obscurities en-US 2019-06-20http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/newsletter/082017.html The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia www.broadcastpioneers.com 2019-06-20
December 19 - America's Town Meeting of the Air, a simulcast of the NBC Blue Network public affairs discussion program, debuts on NBC (1941–42).https://www.tvobscurities.com/2013/12/wnbt-schedule-week-of-december-14th-1941/ WNBT Schedule, Week of December 14th, 1941 Jay Robert 2013-12-17 Television Obscurities en-US 2019-07-02http://www.newspapers.com/image/432807367/?fcfToken=6a366f647354695751614f6844752f522b7333314f6e32702f68333051504e70352f706c3559743339784e764b57737276334735763643314f4a5a395538313234766553797a48577134733d 19 Feb 1942, 563 - Daily News at Newspapers.com Newspapers.com en 2019-07-02
December 22 - War Backgrounds debuts on CBS (1941–42).https://www.tvobscurities.com/2016/06/wcbw-schedule-week-of-december-21st-1941/ WCBW Schedule, Week of December 21st, 1941 Jay Robert 2016-06-28 Television Obscurities en-US 2019-06-21
Television shows
Series Debut EndedNetworkCBS Television NewsJuly 1, 1941December 25, 1942CBSGirl About Town with Joan EdwardsJuly 1, 1941May 1942CBSSports with Bob EdgeJuly 1, 1941May 1942CBSCBS Television QuizJuly 2, 1941January 7, 1943CBSTable Talk with Helen SioussatJuly 2, 1941July 31, 1942CBSMen At WorkJuly 7, 1941May 1942CBSThe Boys in the Back RoomJuly 8, 1941December 1, 1941CBSStars of Tomorrow July 16, 1941May 1942NBCThe Face of the WarJuly 18, 19411945NBCSongs by Harvey HardingJuly 18, 1941May 1942NBCThrills and Chills from EverywereAugust 27, 1941June 4, 1946NBCRadio City MatineeSeptember 4, 1941May 1942NBCFashion Discoveries in TelevisionSeptember 18, 1941October 9, 1941NBCSaturday Night JamboreeOctober 18, 1941November 22, 1941NBCThe Adam Hats Sports Parade: Wrestling at Ridgewood GroveOctober 21, 1941May 12, 1942NBCAmerica's Town Meeting of the AirDecember 19, 1941February 19, 1942NBCWar BackgroundsDecember 22, 1941January 19, 1942CBS
Programs ending during 1941
+DateShowDebutOctober 9Fashion Discoveries in TelevisionSeptember 18, 1941November 22Saturday Night JamboreeOctober 18, 1941December 1The Boys in the Back Room July 8, 1941
Births
January 4 – John Bennett Perry, actor
January 14 – Faye Dunaway, actress
January 24 – Neil Diamond, actor
January 30 – Dick Cheney, politician
January 31 – Jessica Walter, actress (died 2021)
February 1
Joy Philbin, television personality
Arnold Shapiro, television writer
February 3 – Bridget Hanley, actress (died 2021)
February 5
David Selby, actor
Stephen J. Cannell, producer (died 2010)
February 8 – Nick Nolte, actor
February 10
Michael Apted, actor (died 2021)
Dick Carlson, journalist
February 12 – Chas. Floyd Johnson, actor
February 13 – David Jeremiah, pastor
February 27 – Charlotte Stewart, actress
March 4 – Richard Benjamin Harrison, television personality (died 2018)
March 5 – Sam Nover, television sportscaster (died 2018)
March 7 – Joanna Frank, television actress
March 8 – Adrienne Ellis, actress (died 2019)
March 9 – Trish Van Devere, actress
March 16 – Chuck Woolery, game show host (died 2024)
March 20 – Paul Junger Witt, producer (died 2018)
March 28 – Alf Clausen, composer (died 2025)
April 3 – Eric Braeden, German-born actor
April 5 – Michael Moriarty, American-Canadian actor
April 7 – Cornelia Frances, actress (died 2018)
April 20 – Ryan O'Neal, actor (died 2023)
April 28 – Ann-Margret, Swedish-born actress, dancer and singer
May 4 – George Will, American libertarian-conservative political commentator
May 13 – Senta Berger, Austrian actress and producer
May 17 – Grace Zabriskie, actress
May 18 – Miriam Margolyes, actress
May 29 – Bob Simon, American television correspondent (died 2015)
June 2 – Stacy Keach, actor
June 12 – Marv Albert, American sportscaster
June 13 – Paul Moyer, American journalist
June 17 – William Lucking, American actor (died 2021)
June 21
Joe Flaherty, Canadian-American actor and comedian
Lyman Ward, Canadian actor
June 22
Michael Lerner, actor (d. 2023)
Barry Serafin, television journalist
July 3 – Gloria Allred, attorney
July 8 – Michael K. Frith, producer
July 10 – Robert Pine, actor
July 13 – Robert Forster, actor (died 2019)
July 22 – George Clinton, funk musician
July 28 – Peter Cullen, Canadian voice actor (Transformers, Winnie the Pooh, Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers)
July 29 – David Warner, English actor (Batman: The Animated Series, Freakazoid!, Toonsylvania), (died 2022)
July 30 – Rod Perry, actor (died 2020)
August 3 – Martha Stewart, writer
August 4 – Paul Mooney, comedian, writer and actor (died 2021)
August 27 – Harrison Page, actor
September 6 – Edgar Snyder, Pittsburgh-area personal injury lawyer who appeared in commercials
September 8 – Bernie Sanders, politicianPak Nataly Palaniappan Sruthi April 8, 2020 Bernie Sanders: Everything you need to know about the 2020 presidential candidate https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bernie-sanders-senator-vermont/story?id=61058675 2024-09-24 ABC News en
September 17 – Gary DeVore, screenwriter (died 1997)
September 18 – Gerry Bamman, actor
October 4 – Lori Saunders, actress
October 5 – Stephanie Cole, actress
October 7 – John Ford Noonan, actor (died 2018)
October 10 – Peter Coyote, actor
October 16 – Tim McCarver, baseball player and sportscaster (died 2023)
October 26 – Charlie Hauck, comedy writer (died 2020)
October 31 – Sally Kirkland, actress
November 1 – Robert Foxworth, actor
November 5 – Tony Guida, radio personality
November 18 – Ron Powers, American journalist
November 21
Juliet Mills, actress
David Porter, musician
Dr. John, singer (died 2019)
November 23 – Franco Nero, actor
December 4 – David Johnston, Australian newsreader
December 6
Leon Russom, actor
Rolland Smith, news anchor
December 9
Beau Bridges, actor
César Mascetti, Argentine television host (died 2022)
December 10 – Fionnula Flanagan, actress
December 13 – John Davidson, actor, singer and game show host
December 16 – Lesley Stahl, television journalist
December 22 – Peter Helm, actor (died 2026)
References
1941
Category:1941 in television