1941 in television

The year 1941 in television involved some significant events. Below is a list of television-related events during 1941.

Events April 30 – In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approves the National Television System Committee (NTSC) standards of 525 lines and 30 frames per second, and authorizes commercial television broadcasting to begin on July 1. May 2 – In the United States, 10 television stations are granted commercial TV licenses (effective July 1). These stations are required to broadcast 15 hours per week. Bulova Watch Co., Sun Oil Co., Lever Bros. Co. and Procter & Gamble sponsor the first commercial telecasts from WNBT (now WNBC-TV) in New York. July 1 Commercial television is authorized by the FCC. NBC television begins commercial operation by its affiliate WNBT New York using channel 1. The world's first legal television commercial advertisement, for Bulova watches, airs at 2:29 PM on WNBT before a baseball game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. An announcement for Bulova watches, for which the company pays anywhere from $4.00 to $9.00 (reports vary), displays a WNBT test pattern modified to look like a clock with the hands showing the time, and the Bulova logo, with the phrase "Bulova Watch Time" shown in the lower right-hand quadrant of the test pattern while the second hand sweeps around the dial for one minute "Imagery For Profit" R.W. Stewart, New York Times, July 6, 1941. On July 1, Ray Forrest reads the first formal on-camera TV announcement, followed on July 4 by the first live commercial, for Adam Hats. As a one-off special, the first quiz show called "Uncle Bee" is telecast on WNBT's inaugural broadcast day, followed later the same day by Ralph Edwards hosting the second game show broadcast on United States television, Truth or Consequences, as simulcast by radio and TV and sponsored by Ivory soap. Weekly broadcasts of the show commence during 1956, with Bob Barker. CBS television begins commercial operation on New York station WCBW (now WCBS-TV) using channel 2. September 1 — WPTZ (now KYW-TV) signs on in Philadelphia, the third television station in America. October 21 - Professional wrestling premieres during prime-time on NBC. December 7 – Ray Forrest of WNBT broadcasts special news bulletin regarding the Pearl Harbor attack, interrupting regular programming, the film Millionaire Playboy. WNBT later broadcasts special news reports through the evening, pre-empting a scheduled New York Rangers hockey telecast. WCBW also broadcasts a special that evening, from their Grand Central Terminal studios to the few thousand television set owners in the New York area.

Debuts

July 1 - CBS Television News, debuts on CBS (1941-1943, 1944–Present). July 1 - Girl About Town with Joan Edwards debuts on CBS (1941-1942). July 1 - Sports with Bob Edge debuts on CBS (1941-1942). July 2 - CBS Television Quiz premieres as television's first regular game show (1941–1943). . July 2 - Table Talk with Helen Sioussat, the first televised talk show, debuts on CBS (1941-1942). July 7 - Men At Work, an early variety show, debuts on CBS (1941-1942). July 8 - The Boys in the Back Room, a half-hour series that took a behind-the-scenes look at the WCBW television studios, equipment, and staff, debuts on CBS (1941). July 16 - Stars of Tomorrow debuts on NBC (1941-1942). July 18 - The Face of the War, an early news show hosted by Sam Cuff, debuts on NBC (1941-1945). July 18 - Songs by Harvey Harding debuts on NBC (1941-1942). August 27 - Thrills and Chills Everywhere debuts on NBC (1941-1946). September 4 - Radio City Matinee debuts on NBC (1941-1942). September 18 - Fashion Discoveries in Television debuts on NBC (1941). October 18 - Saturday Night Jamboree debuts on NBC (1941). October 21 - The Adam Hats Sports Parade: Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove, debuts on NBC (1941–42). December 19 - America's Town Meeting of the Air, a simulcast of the NBC Blue Network public affairs discussion program, debuts on NBC (1941–42). December 22 - War Backgrounds debuts on CBS (1941–42).

Television shows Series Debut EndedNetworkCBS Television NewsJuly 1, 1941December 25, 1942CBSGirl About Town with Joan EdwardsJuly 1, 1941May 1942CBSSports with Bob EdgeJuly 1, 1941May 1942CBSCBS Television QuizJuly 2, 1941January 7, 1943CBSTable Talk with Helen SioussatJuly 2, 1941July 31, 1942CBSMen At WorkJuly 7, 1941May 1942CBSThe Boys in the Back RoomJuly 8, 1941December 1, 1941CBSStars of Tomorrow July 16, 1941May 1942NBCThe Face of the WarJuly 18, 19411945NBCSongs by Harvey HardingJuly 18, 1941May 1942NBCThrills and Chills from EverywereAugust 27, 1941June 4, 1946NBCRadio City MatineeSeptember 4, 1941May 1942NBCFashion Discoveries in TelevisionSeptember 18, 1941October 9, 1941NBCSaturday Night JamboreeOctober 18, 1941November 22, 1941NBCThe Adam Hats Sports Parade: Wrestling at Ridgewood GroveOctober 21, 1941May 12, 1942NBCAmerica's Town Meeting of the AirDecember 19, 1941February 19, 1942NBCWar BackgroundsDecember 22, 1941January 19, 1942CBS

Programs ending during 1941 +DateShowDebutOctober 9Fashion Discoveries in TelevisionSeptember 18, 1941November 22Saturday Night JamboreeOctober 18, 1941December 1The Boys in the Back Room July 8, 1941

Births January 4 – John Bennett Perry, actor January 14 – Faye Dunaway, actress January 24 – Neil Diamond, actor January 30 – Dick Cheney, politician January 31 – Jessica Walter, actress (died 2021) February 1 Joy Philbin, television personality Arnold Shapiro, television writer February 3 – Bridget Hanley, actress (died 2021) February 5 David Selby, actor Stephen J. Cannell, producer (died 2010) February 8 – Nick Nolte, actor February 10 Michael Apted, actor (died 2021) Dick Carlson, journalist February 12 – Chas. Floyd Johnson, actor February 13 – David Jeremiah, pastor February 27 – Charlotte Stewart, actress March 4 – Richard Benjamin Harrison, television personality (died 2018) March 5 – Sam Nover, television sportscaster (died 2018) March 7 – Joanna Frank, television actress March 8 – Adrienne Ellis, actress (died 2019) March 9 – Trish Van Devere, actress March 16 – Chuck Woolery, game show host (died 2024) March 20 – Paul Junger Witt, producer (died 2018) March 28 – Alf Clausen, composer (died 2025) April 3 – Eric Braeden, German-born actor April 5 – Michael Moriarty, American-Canadian actor April 7 – Cornelia Frances, actress (died 2018) April 20 – Ryan O'Neal, actor (died 2023) April 28 – Ann-Margret, Swedish-born actress, dancer and singer May 4 – George Will, American libertarian-conservative political commentator May 13 – Senta Berger, Austrian actress and producer May 17 – Grace Zabriskie, actress May 18 – Miriam Margolyes, actress May 29 – Bob Simon, American television correspondent (died 2015) June 2 – Stacy Keach, actor June 12 – Marv Albert, American sportscaster June 13 – Paul Moyer, American journalist June 17 – William Lucking, American actor (died 2021) June 21 Joe Flaherty, Canadian-American actor and comedian Lyman Ward, Canadian actor June 22 Michael Lerner, actor (d. 2023) Barry Serafin, television journalist July 3 – Gloria Allred, attorney July 8 – Michael K. Frith, producer July 10 – Robert Pine, actor July 13 – Robert Forster, actor (died 2019) July 22 – George Clinton, funk musician July 28 – Peter Cullen, Canadian voice actor (Transformers, Winnie the Pooh, Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers) July 29 – David Warner, English actor (Batman: The Animated Series, Freakazoid!, Toonsylvania), (died 2022) July 30 – Rod Perry, actor (died 2020) August 3 – Martha Stewart, writer August 4 – Paul Mooney, comedian, writer and actor (died 2021) August 27 – Harrison Page, actor September 6 – Edgar Snyder, Pittsburgh-area personal injury lawyer who appeared in commercials September 8 – Bernie Sanders, politician September 17 – Gary DeVore, screenwriter (died 1997) September 18 – Gerry Bamman, actor October 4 – Lori Saunders, actress October 5 – Stephanie Cole, actress October 7 – John Ford Noonan, actor (died 2018) October 10 – Peter Coyote, actor October 16 – Tim McCarver, baseball player and sportscaster (died 2023) October 26 – Charlie Hauck, comedy writer (died 2020) October 31 – Sally Kirkland, actress November 1 – Robert Foxworth, actor November 5 – Tony Guida, radio personality November 18 – Ron Powers, American journalist November 21 Juliet Mills, actress David Porter, musician Dr. John, singer (died 2019) November 23 – Franco Nero, actor December 4 – David Johnston, Australian newsreader December 6 Leon Russom, actor Rolland Smith, news anchor December 9 Beau Bridges, actor César Mascetti, Argentine television host (died 2022) December 10 – Fionnula Flanagan, actress December 13 – John Davidson, actor, singer and game show host December 16 – Lesley Stahl, television journalist December 22 – Peter Helm, actor (died 2026)

References