Chronology of Television

Copyright © 2008-2009 Ken Polsson
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References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2009 October 30.


1925-1949 1950-1954 1955-1959 1960-1964 1965-1969 1970-1971 1972-1974 1975-1979 1980-1984 1985-1989
1990-1994 1995-1999 2000-end

1960

February 11
  • Jack Paar walks off his TV show. [1]
May 6
  • More than 20 million viewers watch the first ever televised royal wedding service, when England's Princess Margaret marries Anthony Armstrong-Jones (Lord Snowdon) at Westminster Abbey. [1] [5]
May 18
  • Eileen Fulton begins playing Lisa on As the World Turns (for over 30 years). [1]
June 9
  • ABC-TV and AFL sign a five-year broadcasting contract. [1]
June 20
  • In Burbank, California, the 12th Annual Emmy Awards are presented, hosted by Fred Astaire.
    • Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Children's Programming: The Huckleberry Hound Show
    • Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Series: Robert Stack for The Untouchables
    • Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series: Jane Wyatt for Father Knows Best
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Drama: Playhouse 90
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Humor: The Art Carney Special
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of News: The Huntley-Brinkley Report
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Public Service: The Twentieth Century
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Variety: The Fabulous Fifties
    • Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor: Laurence Olivier for The Moon and Sixpence
    • Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress: Ingrid Bergman for Startime
    [175]
September
  • NBC airs the last Alcoa Theatre TV show. [179.40]
September 19
  • NBC premieres The Barbara Stanwyck Theatre TV show, 30-minute dramatic variety. [179.87]
September 26
  • First of four televised US Presidential debates take place: Richard Nixon and John Kennedy (Chicago, Illinois). [1]
September 30
  • Flintstones premieres (first prime time animation show). [1]
  • On Howdy Doody's last show Clarabelle finally talks: "Goodbye Kids". [1]
October 3
  • CBS premieres The Andy Griffith Show 30-minute comedy show. [179.57]
October 5
  • ABC airs the last Naked City TV show. [179.696]
October 7
  • In the USA, the CBS television network debuts the Route 66 show. The show features two young men driving a 1960 Corvette around the US in search of adventure. [1] [8]
October 12
  • ABC begins airing the Naked City crime drama TV show in 60-minute episodes. [179.696]
December 9
  • First broadcast of Coronation Street on British ITV. [1]

1961

January 2
  • CBS airs the last The Jackie Gleason Show TV show. (The show returns again in 1966.) [179.485]
January 19
  • First episode for The Dick Van Dyke Show is filmed. [1]
January 25
  • First live, nationally televised US Presidential news conference (John Kennedy). [1]
January 27
  • Sing Along with Mitch [Miller] premieres on NBC TV. [1]
January 30
  • Bobby Darin is youngest performer to headline a TV special on NBC. [1]
February 7
  • Jane Fonda makes her acting debut in the NBC drama A String of Beads. [1]
April 14
  • First live television broadcast from the Soviet Union. [1]
April 29
  • ABC's Wide World of Sports debuts. [1]
May 9
  • US Federal Communications Commission Chairman Newton N Minow criticizes TV as a "vast wasteland". [1]
May 16
  • In Hollywood, California, the 13th Annual Emmy Awards are presented, hosted by Dick Powell and Joey Bishop.
    • Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction and Scenic Design: John J. Lloyd for Checkmate
    • Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography for Television: The Twilight Zone
    • Outstanding Achievement in Electronic Camerawork: Red-EO-Tape Mobile Unit for The Bell Telephone Hour
    • Outstanding Achievement in Film Editing for Television: Harry Coswick, Aaron Nibley, and Milton Shifman for Naked City
    • Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Children's Programming: Young People's Concerts: Aaron Copland Birthday Party
    • Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Music for Television: Leonard Bernstein for Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic
    • Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy: Sheldon Leonard for Make Room for Daddy
    • Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama: George Schaefer for Macbeth
    • Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Series (Lead): Raymond Burr for Perry Mason
    • Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead): Barbara Stanwyck for The Barbara Stanwyck Show
    • Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor or Actress in a Series: Don Knotts for The Andy Griffith Show
    • Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor or Actress in a Single Program: Roddy McDowall for Sunday Showcase
    • Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series: Dinah Shore for The Dinah Shore Show
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Drama: Macbeth
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Humor: The Jack Benny Program
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of News: The Huntley-Brinkley Report
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Public Service: The Twentieth Century
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Variety: Astaire Time
    • Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Maurice Evans for Macbeth
    • Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Judith Anderson for Macbeth
    • Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy: Sherwood Schwartz, Dave O'Brien, Al Schwartz, Martin Ragaway, and Red Skelton for The Red Skelton Show
    • Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama: Rod Serling for The Twilight Zone
    • Outstanding Writing Achievement in the Documentary Field: Victor Wolfson for Winston Churchill: The Valiant Years
    • The Program of the Year: Macbeth
    [1] [176]
June 1
  • NBC airs the last The Dinah Shore Show TV show. [179.252]
September 10
  • NBC airs the last This is Your Life TV show. [179.981]

September 11
  • NBC airs the last The Barbara Stanwyck Theatre TV show. A total of 36 episodes aired. [179.87]
September 13
  • Car 54 Where are You? premieres on TV. [1]
September 16
  • CBS premieres The Defenders 60-minute crime drama TV show. [179.238]
September 17
  • The ABC TV network airs the last Walt Disney Presents show. [6]
September 19
  • CBS airs the last Playhouse 90 TV show. [179.795]
September 23
  • First movie to become a TV series - How to Marry a Millionaire. [1]
September 24
  • The NBC TV network debuts the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show in the USA. The first show is entitled An Adventure in Color, Mathmagic Land. A new character, Ludwig von Drake, is introduced. This show airs the previously released film Donald in Mathmagic Land. [6]
September 26
  • NBC premieres The Dick Powell Theatre 60-minute anthology TV show. [179.248]
September 28
  • NBC premieres the Hazel 30-minute TV show. [179.418]
October 1
  • CBS premieres The Lucy Show 30-minute comedy TV show. [179.593]
October 2
  • ABC premieres the Ben Casey 60-minute medical drama TV show. [1] [179.100]
October 3
  • CBS premieres the Dick Van Dyke Show 30-minute comedy TV show. [1] [179.251]
  • Mr Ed TV show premieres in the USA. [1]
October 5
  • CBS premieres The Bob Cummings Show, a 30-minute comedy show. [179.129]
October 11
  • NBC premieres The Bob Newhart Show 30-minute variety TV show. [179.130]
December 15
  • Equal access rule in US, political parties get TV broadcasting time. [1]

1962

January 2
  • Nighttime version of TV show Password with Allen Ludden premieres on CBS. [1]
January 24
  • Tom Shirley, actor/TV announcer (They're Off), dies at age 62. [1]
February 14
  • First lady Jacqueline Kennedy conducts White House tour on TV. [1]
March 1
  • CBS airs the last The Bob Cummings Show TV show. A total of 22 episodes aired. [179.129]
March 8
  • Beatles, with Pete Best, TV debut (perform "Dream Baby" on BBC). [1]
March 21
  • Dutch Roman Catholic bishop Beckers of Bosch makes TV speech in Netherlands in favor of birth control. [1]
April 15
  • The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled Disneyland After Dark. The show marks the network TV debut of the Osmond Brothers. [6]
April 16
  • Walter Cronkite begins anchoring CBS Evening News. [1]
April 24
  • MIT sends TV signal by satellite for first time: California to Massachusetts. [1]
May 22
  • In Los Angeles, California, the 14th Annual Emmy Awards are presented, hosted by Bob Newhart, Johnny Carson, and David Brinkley.
    • Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography for Television: John S. Priestley for Naked City
    • Outstanding Achievement in Film Editing for Television: Hugh Chaloupka, Aaron Nibley, and Charles L. Freeman for Naked City
    • Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composed for Television: Richard Rodgers for Winston Churchill: The Valiant Years
    • Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Series (Lead): E.G. Marshall for The Defenders
    • Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead): Shirley Booth for Hazel
    • Outstanding Daytime Program: Purex Summer Specials
    • Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy: Nat Hiken for Car 54, Where Are You?
    • Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama: Franklin J. Schaffner for The Defenders
    • Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor: Don Knotts for The Andy Griffith Show
    • Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actress: Pamela Brown for Victoria Regina
    • Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series: Carol Burnett for The Garry Moore Show
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Drama: The Defenders
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Educational and Public Affairs Programming: David Brinkley's Journal
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Humor: The Bob Newhart Show
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of News: The Huntley-Brinkley Report
    • Outstanding Program Achievements in the Fields of Variety and Music - Variety: The Garry Moore Show
    • Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Peter Falk in the episode "The Price of Tomatoes" of The Dick Powell Show
    • Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Julie Harris for Victoria Regina
    • Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy: Carl Reiner for The Dick Van Dyke Show
    • Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama: Reginald Rose for The Defenders
    • The Program of the Year: Victoria Regina
    [1] [181]
May 31
  • Tell It To Groucho last airs on CBS-TV. [1]
June 9
  • The NBC TV network airs the last The Kraft Music Hall TV show in the USA. (The show resumes in 1967 in a 60-minute format.) [179.535]
June 13
  • NBC airs the last The Bob Newhart Show TV show. [179.130]
July 8
  • ABC airs the last Maverick TV show. [179.636]
July 11
  • First transatlantic TV transmission via satellite (Telstar I). [1] [5]
September 14
  • CBS airs the last (until next January) The Twilight Zone TV show. [179.1021]
September 17
  • CBS airs the last Father Knows Best TV show. [179.316]
September 19
  • CBS airs the last Checkmate TV show. A total of 70 episodes aired. [179.182]
  • CBS airs the last Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre TV show. A total of 145 episodes aired. [179.248]
September 22
  • NBC begins airing The Andy Williams Show 60-minute musical variety TV show. [179.58]
September 23
  • ABC's first color TV series - The Jetsons. [1]
September 26
  • TV comedy series The Beverly Hillbillies premieres on CBS. [1]
September 30
  • ABC begins rebroadcasting the Father Knows Best TV show. [179.317]
October 1
  • Johnny Carson hosts his first The Tonight Show, Joan Crawford is guest. [1]
  • The Lucy Show TV show premieres in the US. [1]
December 20
  • The Osmond brothers debut on the Andy Williams Show. [1]
December 31
  • Match Game TV game show debuts on NBC with host Gene Rayburn. [1]

1963

January 3
  • CBS resumes airing The Twilight Zone as a 60-minute TV show. [179.1021]
January 6
  • NBC premieres the Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom 30-minute documentary TV show, with host Marlin Perkins. [1] [179.1073]
April 1
  • Soap operas General Hospital and The Doctors (NBC, 30 minutes) premiere on TV in the USA. [1] [5] [179.258]
May 23
  • NBC purchases 1963 AFL championship game TV rights for US$926,000. [1]
May 26
  • In Los Angeles, California, the 15th Annual Emmy Awards are presented, hosted by Joey Bishop, Arthur Godfrey, and Chet Huntley.
    • Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Trevor Howard for Invincible Mr. Disraeli
    • Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Series (Lead): E.G. Marshall for The Defenders
    • Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Kim Stanley for episode "A Cardinal Act of Mercy" of Ben Casey
    • Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead): Shirley Booth for Hazel
    • Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor: Don Knotts for The Andy Griffith Show
    • Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actress: Glenda Farrell for episode "A Cardinal Act of Mercy" of Ben Casey
    • Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy: John Rich for The Dick Van Dyke Show
    • Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama: Stuart Rosenberg for episode "The Madman" of The Defenders
    • Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy: Carl Reiner for The Dick Van Dyke Show
    • Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama: Robert Thom and Reginald Rose for episode "The Madman" of The Defenders
    • Outstanding Achievement in Composing Original Music: Robert Russell Bennett for episode "He Is Risen" of Project XX
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Music: Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall
    • Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series: Carol Burnett for Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall and for An Evening with Carol Burnett
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Variety: The Andy Williams Show
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Drama: The Defenders
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Children's Programming: Disneyland
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Humor: The Dick Van Dyke Show
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of News Commentary or Public Affairs: David Brinkley's Journal
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Panel, Quiz or Audience Participation: The General Electric College Bowl
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of News: The Huntley-Brinkley Report
    • Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography for Television: John S. Priestley for Naked City
    [1] [182]
June 7
  • First Rolling Stones TV appearance (Thank Your Lucky Stars). [1]
June 11
  • CBS airs the last U.S. Steel Hour TV show. [179.1031]
June 16
  • CBS airs the last The General Electric College Bowl TV show. (The show continues on the NBC TV network in the fall.) [179.362]
June 24
  • First demonstration of home video recorder, at BBC Studios, London, England. [1]
August 9
  • Britain's rock TV show Ready Steady Go premieres. [1]
August 28
  • CBS TV airs the last The Armstrong Circle Theatre TV show in the USA. [179.69]
September 2
  • CBS and NBC expand network news from 15 to 30 minutes. [1]
September 7
  • First US TV appearance of The Beatles (Big Night Out - ABC). [1]
September 8
  • The 30-minute comedy TV show Car 54, Where Are You? premieres in syndication. [179.166]
  • ABC premieres the Discovery 30-minute educational TV show. [179.253]
September 10
  • ABC airs the last Untouchables TV show. [179.1030]
September 11
  • ABC airs the last Naked City TV show. A total of 39 30-minute and 99 60-minute shows were aired. [179.696]
September 16
  • The Outer Limits premieres on ABC-TV. [1]
September 17
  • NBC airs the last The Dick Powell Theatre TV show. [179.248]
  • ABC premieres The Fugitive drama TV show. [1] [179.353]
September 22
  • NBC begins airing The General Electric College Bowl 30-minute TV game show. [179.362]
September 25
  • CBS premieres The Danny Kaye Show 60-minute variety TV show. [179.222]
September 27
  • CBS airs the last The Twilight Zone TV show. A total of 134 30-minute and 17 60-minute shows aired. [179.1021]
September 30
  • CBS premieres the East Side / West Side 60-minute drama TV show. [179.283]
October 4
  • NBC premieres The Bob Hope Chrysler Theatre 60-minute anthology TV show. [179.130]
November 23
  • On the BBC, the first episode airs of the long-running science fiction television series Doctor Who. [5]
November 24
  • Jack Ruby fatally shoots suspected Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald at Dallas police headquarters. First live murder on TV. [1] [129]
November 28
  • Fred Uttal, TV host (QED), dies at age 55. [1]
December 30
  • Game show Let's Make A Deal debuts on NBC-TV. [1]

1964

January 3
  • Jack Paar Show shows a clip of The Beatles singing "She Loves You". [1]
January 10
  • US version of That Was The Week That Was TV show premieres. [1]

January 24
  • CBS purchases 1964 and 1965 NFL TV rights for US$28.2 million. [1]
January 29
  • NBC purchases AFL five-year (1965-69) TV rights for US$36 million. [1]
February 9
  • First appearance of The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show (73.7 million viewers, about 40 percent of US population). [1] [129]
May 4
  • Another World and As the World Turns premiere on TV. [1]
May 25
  • In Los Angeles, California, the 16th Annual Emmy Awards are presented, hosted by Joey Bishop and E.G. Marshall.
    • Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Jack Klugman for playing "Joe Larch" in episode "Blacklist" of The Defenders
    • Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Series (Lead): Dick Van Dyke for The Dick Van Dyke Show
    • Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Shelley Winters for playing "Jenny Dworak" in episode "Two Is The Number" of Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
    • Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead): Mary Tyler Moore for The Dick Van Dyke Show
    • Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor: Albert Paulsen for episode "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" in Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
    • Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actress: Ruth White for episode "Little Moon of Alban" of Hallmark Hall of Fame
    • Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy: Jerry Paris for The Dick Van Dyke Show
    • Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama: Tom Gries for episode "Who Do You Kill?" of East Side/West Side
    • Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety or Music: Robert Scheerer for The Danny Kaye Show
    • Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama - Original: Ernest Kinoy for episode "Blacklist" of The Defenders
    • Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama - Adaptation: Rod Serling and John O'Hara for episode "It's Mental Work" of Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
    • Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy or Variety: Carl Reiner, Sam Denoff, and Bill Persky for The Dick Van Dyke Show
    • Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction and Scenic Design: Warren Clymer for Hallmark Hall of Fame
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Music: The Bell Telephone Hour
    • Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series: Danny Kaye for The Danny Kaye Show
    • Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Documentary Programs: David L. Wolper, Mel Stuart, and Theodore H. White for The Making of the President 1960
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Comedy: The Dick Van Dyke Show
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Variety: The Danny Kaye Show
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Drama: The Defenders
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Children's Programming: Discovery
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of News Reports: The Huntley-Brinkley Report
    • Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of News Commentary or Public Affairs: NBC White Paper
    • Program of the Year: The Making of the President 1960
    • Outstanding Achievement in Composing Original Music for Television: Elmer Bernstein for The Making of the President 1960
    [1] [183]
June 16
  • CBS airs the last (until 1966) The Garry Moore Show TV show. [179.360]
July 2
  • U.S. President Lyndon Johnson signs into law the Civil Rights Act, in a televised ceremony in the White House. The Act prohibits racial discrimination in employment and education and outlaws racial segregation in public places such as schools, buses, parks and swimming pools. [1] [129]
July 28
  • Ranger 7 launched toward the Moon; sent back 4308 TV pictures. [1]
September 11
  • Gillette's 20-year contract with Madison Square Gardens and ABC to televise fights for free ends as Dick Tiger defeats Don Fullmer at the Cleveland Auditorium. [1]
September 14
  • CBS airs the last East Side / West Side TV show. A total of 26 episodes aired. [179.283]
  • CBS airs the last The Danny Thomas Show TV show. [179.606]
September 15
  • ABC premieres the Peyton Place 30-minute serial drama TV show. [179.787]
  • CBS airs the last The Jack Benny Program TV show. A total of 304 episodes aired. The show continues on the NBC network. [179.484]
September 16
  • Shindig TV show premieres. [1]
September 17
  • ABC premieres the Bewitched 30-minute comedy TV show. [1] [179.110]
September 22
  • The Man from U.N.C.L.E. TV show premieres on NBC-TV. [1]
September 24
  • The Munsters TV show premieres. [1]
September 25
  • NBC begins airing The Jack Benny Program 30-minute comedy variety show. [179.484]
September 29
  • NBC premieres the That Was the Week That Was 30-minute satire TV show. [179.974]
December 3
  • Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer cartoon TV show first airs on TV. [1]
December 18
  • The Pink Panther cartoon TV series premieres (Pink Phink). [1]

End of 1960-1964. Next: 1965.
The complete timeline can be purchased in a PDF file for US$10 from the author.

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1925-1949 1950-1954 1955-1959 1960-1964 1965-1969 1970-1971 1972-1974 1975-1979 1980-1984 1985-1989
1990-1994 1995-1999 2000-end


A list of references to all source material is available.

Other web pages of interest:

  • Chronology of Video Game Systems
  • Chronology of World History
  • Chronology of the Walt Disney Company
  • This Day in History
  • Last updated: 2009 October 30.
    Copyright © 2008-2009 Ken Polsson (email: kpolsson@islandnet.com).
    URL: http://www.islandnet/com/~kpolsson/television/
    Link to Ken P's home page.

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