Picture Parade #4…Commercial Television’s First News Program, 1941
This picture of Lowell Thomas looks a lot like the one in #3, but there is a big difference. WNBT began commercial television operations on July 1, 1941 as the first fully-licensed commercial television station in the United States. That day, the call letters were changed from W2XBS, and the first commercially sponsored program on the air was ‘Lowell Thomas With The News’ sponsored by Sun Oil.
There were three fifteen minute shows that night and the evening began with a spot announcement from Bulova Watches (below in comments) which was the face of a clock and a voice over. Other spot ads that evening were for Botany ties (a series of art cards featuring the cartoon lambs then featured in Botany’s print ads) and Adam Hats (a slow camera pan of a simulated window display). Enjoy, share and Happy New Year! -Bobby Ellerbee
Here is the Broadcasting Magazine, July 14, 1941 story on the first commercial.
What was the expected audience at the time? Were these simulcast on radio as well?
How many mics can you cram on one set!
Adams’ Hats commercial 7-1-41
From Broadcasting magazine 7-7-41. Mentions Lowell Thomas simulcast on 7-1-41
Apparently 2 RCA 44-BX Ribbon Mics & 1 RCA 77-C-1 Ribbon Mic on the overhead Boom, Wally Roper!!!!
Two of Lowell’s all time classic bloopers where he laughed uncontrollably: “…and died of a fatal fart attack;” and “President Eisenhower today visited the ‘Chocolate City.’ The president driving into Hershey, PA. to celebrate his 63rd birthday. Thirty thousand or more were cheering him, all the folks who make Hershey Chocolate, with and without nuts.”
“So long…until tomorrow!”