Color TV turns 50

[John L]

If I remember, WTMJ-TV was able to take part in that event that took place in 1954 where WTMJ-TV broadcasted the NBC feed in Color

-John L.

[Dick Nitelinger]

John,

On 22 November 1953, The Milwaukee Journal reported that special permission had been granted by the FCC for NBC to broadcast the Colgate Comedy Hour on Sunday, 24 November (hmm...my birthday - 4 years later!) . It was a test. WTMJ-TV carried it, but viewers received it in black and white.

On 18 December 1953, the same paper reported that the FCC had approved color TV, and that WTMJ-TV was ready. (This was the electronic (NTSC) system. The FCC had approved the CBS mechanical system earlier, but no one really thought it was viable, and the FCC reversed its decision.) The article mentioned that industry spokesmen estimated that a new color TV with a 12.5 inch picture would cost $1000 at first. NBC claimed to have had the first color telecast (a bulletin with a colored insignia) at 5:59 p.m. EST the previous day, and a complete telecast at 6:30.
CBS claimed that it had broadcast the first color program at 6:15 p.m. EST.

NBC and CBS planned to broadcast some programs in color. ABC had no plans, but said that it would begin formulating them now that the system had been approved. Du Mont said that it planned to show color programs, but had not developed a schedule. The article further states that there were only two color receivers in the Milwaukee area at the time!

On 2 January 1954, The Milwaukee Journal  reported that 500 people swamped the American Appliance and TV store at 2743 N. Teutonia Ave. to watch NBC's broadcast of the Tournament of Roses parade on WTMJ-TV the previous day. Four police officers were needed to keep order.

The first local program broadcast in color was "The Grenadiers", which was broadcast by WTMJ-TV at 2:00 p.m. on 18 July 1954. The first commercially sponsored program ran on WTMJ-TV on 20 July 1954, and was titled "The Layton Art Story", a tribute to the Layton School of Art.

- Dick  

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