What year was the first television program broadcast and what was the name of the program?

Brainy Blonde

Jan. 13, 1928. Alexanderson demonstrates the GE system and announces the beginning of television broadcasting. The pictures were received on sets with 1.5 square inch screens in the homes of Alexanderson and two board members in Schenectady. (This is considered by some the first home reception of television in the U. S.) The picture, with 48 lines at 16 frames per second, was transmitted over 2XAF on 37.8 meters and the sound was transmitted over WGY radio station. May 11, 1928. The first regular schedule of TV programming is begun by General Electric in Schenectady. Programs are transmitted Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., using 24 lines. July 2, 1928. Charles F. Jenkins begins broadcasting the first regular telecasts designed to be received by the general public. July 12, 1928. First televised tennis match. Aug. 13, 1928. WRNY Coytesville NJ becomes the first standard radio station to transmit a television image (the face of Mrs. John Geloso). It was a 1.5 square inch image enlarged by a magnifying glass to three inches so it could be viewed by 500 persons at Philosophy Hall at New York University. Station also operated W2XAL New York, 9.705 MHz. (WRNY broadcast sight and sound alternately rather than simultaneously. Viewers would first see the face of a performer and a few seconds later would hear the voice. The performances took place for 5 minutes every hour and were designed to lure the radio audience into buying 'televisor' sets from Pilot. %5BTube: The Invention of Television, by Fisher%5D) Aug. 22, 1928. WGY simulcasts on radio and TV (WGY, 2XAF and 2XAD) Al Smith accepting the Democratic presidential nomination. This was the first over-the-air remote pickup and the first TV news event. Sept. 11, 1928. First play broadcast by television, 'The Queen's Messenger,' on W2XAD. (Sound was also broadcast over WGY radio.) Video was on 21.4 {meters;} sound was on 31.96 meters. The event was reported on page 1 of the New York Times the next day. (During 1928, Ernest Frederik Werner Alexanderson of General Electric transmitted daily TV tests over W2XAD.) 1929. Milton Berle appears in an experimental TV broadcast. Film of the appearance survives. May 11, 1929. The 'first regularly scheduled TV broadcasts' begin (one source), three nights per week. Aug. 20, 1930. The first demonstration of home reception of television, a half-hour broadcast from the Jenkins station, W2XCR in Jersey City, and the de Forest station W2XCD in Passaic. Two sets were available in public places and one in a press suite. (Or Aug. 25 1930) Nov. 1930. W9XAP Chicago (Chicago Daily News) broadcast the senatorial election returns. Press release claimed it was the first time a senatorial race, complete with charts showing the standings of the candidates as the votes were tallied, was ever televised. Dec. 7, 1930. W1XAV Boston broadcasts a video portion of a CBS radio program, The Fox Trappers orchestra program, sponsored by I. J. Fox Furriers. Included was what is sometimes called the first television commercial, which was prohibited by FRC regulations. May 1, 1931. The first marriage is broadcast on TV, on W2XCR New York. July 21, 1931. W2XAB New York (CBS) begins broadcasting the first regular seven-day-per-week TV broadcasting schedule in the U. S., 28 hours per week with live pickups and a wide variety of programs. The first broadcast included Mayor James J. Walker, Kate Smith, and George Gershwin. As you can see, for these types of questions, there are no simple answers, it's a process of events. I left out more than I show here, and decided to stop at the 7 day a week schedule, because that is pretty much where we are today. I got all this information from http://members.aol.com/jeff560/chronotv.html If you, or anyone else is interested, there is a lot more information to be seen. This chronology of TV history starts at 1875 and ends at 1970. It is a very comprehensive list, what you see here is just the tip of the iceberg. I know it is a long answer, but I hope it helps those who are interested. At least it doesn't look like my Japanese translation answer! That kept me laughing all night, and still makes me chuckle today! Jun 23 01, 3:54 PM

gtho4

The answer to this would be a matter of definition - regular programming vs. one off programmes vs. test tranmissions, etc. Aug. 22, 1928: WGY simulcasts on radio and TV (WGY, 2XAF and 2XAD) Al Smith accepting the Democratic presidential nomination. This was the first over-the-air remote pickup and the first TV news event. http://members.aol.com/jeff560/chronotv.html Feb 07 05, 9:20 AM