This is a list of American television-related events in 1953.
Events Date Event Ref. January 15 Harry Truman becomes the first U.S. president to broadcast his farewell address on both radio and television. February 18 Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz sign an $8,000,000 contract to continue the I Love Lucy television series through at least 1955. March 25 CBS conceded victory to RCA in the war over color television standards. April 3 TV Guide is published for the first time, with 10 editions and a circulation of 1,562,000. May 25 KUHT, the first non-commercial educational television station signs on the air in Houston, Texas. This launch preceded the launch of National Educational Television by almost a year. "KUHT-TV: The University of Houston’s Second Great Vision."
Television programs Debuts Date Program Network February 10 Romper Room First-run syndication February 16 The Dotty Mack Show DuMont March 21 Johnny Jupiter DuMont May 8 Jimmy Hughes, Rookie Cop DuMont May 10 The Roy Doty Show DuMont May 19 The Music Show DuMont May 27 The Strawhatters DuMont June 20 Bank on the Stars CBS June 21 Washington Exclusive DuMont June 26 Terry and the Pirates First-run syndication June 27 It's a Small World DuMont July 5 Old American Barn Dance DuMont July 7 Summer Night Theater DuMont July 9 Drama at Eight DuMont July 11 Medallion Theatre CBS August 18 Judge for Yourself NBC September 5 The Secret Files of Captain Video DuMont September 9 On Your Way DuMont September 9 NBA on DuMont DuMont September 12 Bonino NBC September 13 The George Jessel Show ABC September 15 Pulse of the City DuMont September 20 Dollar a Second DuMont September 21 Marge and Jeff DuMont September 25 Melody Street DuMont September 29 Make Room For Daddy ABC October 2 The Comeback Story ABC October 2 The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse ABC October 2 The Price of the Family ABC October 5 Of Many Things ABC October 7 Colonel Humphrey Flack DuMont October 7 Life with Elizabeth First-run syndication October 8 Where's Raymond? ABC October 11 The Man Behind the Badge CBS October 16 Nine Thirty Curtain DuMont October 25 The Igor Cassini Show DuMont October 28 Joseph Schildkraut Presents DuMont November 4 Stars on Parade DuMont November 8 Opera Cameos DuMont November 11 Answers for Americans ABC December 30 Concert Tonight DuMont Unknown date Place the Face CBS Unknown date All About Baby DuMont
Changes of network affiliation Show Moved from Moved to My Little Margie CBS NBC The Ernie Kovacs Show NBC CBS Chance of a LifetimeABCDumontWhat's Your Bid?ABCDumontMan Against CrimeCBSDumont/NBCPantomime QuizNBCDumontMeet Your CongressNBCDumontBlind DateNBCDumontTom Corbett, Space CadetNBCDumont
Ending this year Date Program Network First aired Notes February 2 Report Card for Parents DuMont December 1, 1952 March 14 The Pet Shop DuMont December 1, 1951 March 23 Hollywood Opening Night NBC July 13, 1951 (on CBS) March 26 Biff Baker, U.S.A. CBS November 13, 1952 April 2 The Amos 'n' Andy Show CBS 1951 April 3 One Woman's Experience DuMont October 6, 1952 April 10 One Man's Experience DuMont October 6, 1952 May 1 Dark of Night DuMont October 3, 1952 May 1 Hollywood Screen Test ABC April 15, 1948 May 2 Kids and Company DuMont September 1, 1951 May 3 Victory at Sea NBC October 26, 1952 May 6 Happy's Party DuMont September 6, 1952 May 12 Meet the Boss DuMont June 10, 1952 May 20 Stage a Number DuMont September 10, 1952 June 7 Youth on the March DuMont October 9, 1949 (on ABC) June 12 Tales of Tomorrow ABC August 3, 1951 June 13 Cowboy G-Men First-run syndication September 13, 1952 June 14 New York Times Youth Forum DuMont September 14, 1952 June 20 My Hero NBC November 8, 1952 June 21 The Alan Young Show CBS April 6, 1950 June 21 The Ken Murray Show CBS January 7, 1950 June 28 The Doctor NBC August 24, 1952 June 30 Wisdom of the Ages DuMont December 16, 1952 July 3 Jimmy Hughes, Rookie Cop DuMont May 8, 1953 July 27 It's a Small World DuMont June 27, 1953 July 28 Summer Night Theater DuMont July 7, 1953 July 30 Drama at Eight DuMont July 9, 1953 July 31 Ladies' Date DuMont October 13, 1952 September 1 The Range Rider First-run syndication April 5, 1951 September 11 Gulf Playhouse NBC October 3, 1952 September 12 The Aldrich Family NBC October 2, 1949 September 13 The Old American Barn Dance DuMont July 5, 1953 September 15 Blind Date DuMont May 5, 1949 (on ABC) September 22 Beulah ABC October 3, 1950 September 27 Trash or Treasure DuMont October 1, 1952 September 28 Shadow of the Cloak CBS June 7, 1951 September 30 A Date with Judy ABC July 10, 1952 Second version; first version aired in daytime from 1951 to 1952 October 1 City Hospital CBS November 3, 1951 (on ABC) October 4 The Roy Doty Show DuMont May 10, 1953 October 6 Where Was I? DuMont September 2, 1952 October 11 Georgetown University Forum DuMont July 3, 1951 October 11 What's It Worth CBS May 21, 1948 November 13 Front Page Detective DuMont July 6, 1951 November 21 Terry and the Pirates Syndication June 26, 1953 December 7 Monodrama Theater DuMont May 1952 December 26 Bonino NBC September 12, 1953 December 26 Four Star Revue NBC October 4, 1950
Television stations
Station launches