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    When did regular television broadcasting for the public start in the United States?

    Question #49045. Asked by bloomsby. (Jul 04 04 3:16 PM)


    bozette

    		Tuesday July 1st, 1941 -- A famous television history date. On that day, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) activated new non-experimental call letters for two stations (WNBT, later renamed WNBC & WCBW) in the United States, and permitted commercial advertising. It officially marks "DAY ONE" of American television. Any broadcasting before that date was considered "experimental".

    [Jul 04 04 5:03 PM] bozette writes:

    1927 -- First American government leader to appear on TV was Herbert Hoover (who later became President)
    1930 -- First (ILLEGAL) TV commercial -- Boston's W1XAV is fined for doing a spot for the fur industry
    1931 -- First couple legally married on television
    1937 -- First regular newscast by John Cameron Swayze
    1939 -- First televised baseball game
    1940 -- First QUIZ SHOW -- (Experimental Era) -- WRGB's Spelling Bee
    1943 -- First TV Beauty Contest -- "The Electronics Queen" -- WRGB, Schenectady, NY
    1946 -- First "happy talk" news anchors appear in Chicago

    Jul 04 04, 4:02 PM

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